"What's your sign?" usually means your Sun sign. Astrologers work with three: the Sun, the Moon, and the Rising (or Ascendant). Together they are called the Big Three, and they are the three signs on every personalized Big Three piece in the shop.
The three signs, briefly
Sun sign
Where the Sun was on the day you were born. It only needs your birth date, which is why it is the sign everyone knows. In astrology it is read as core identity and the direction you move in.
Moon sign
Where the Moon was at your birth. The Moon changes sign every two to three days, so most people can find it from the date alone, but a birth time settles it if you were born on a change-over day. It is read as emotional life, instinct, and what feels like home.
Rising sign
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place you were born. It changes roughly every two hours, so it needs your birth time and city. It is read as the way you meet the world and the first impression you make.
How to find your Big Three
- Find your birth date, exact birth time, and birthplace. The time is on most birth certificates; a parent's memory is usually close enough to check.
- Enter them in any free birth-chart calculator. Astro.com, Cafe Astrology, and Co-Star are commonly used; all return the same three signs for the same data.
- Note the three results as Sun, Moon, and Rising, in that order.
If you do not know your birth time, you still have a Sun and, almost always, a Moon. The Rising sign will be a guess; if you want artwork with all three, ask a parent or request a long-form birth certificate.
Ordering personalized Big Three artwork
The Big Three pieces in the shop are made to order. In the Etsy personalization box, enter the three signs in this order: Sun, Moon, Rising. For example: Sun: Capricorn, Moon: Aquarius, Rising: Pisces. Put the person's signs, not yours, if it is a gift. Each design shows one arch per sign with its figure, glyph, and constellation, labelled Sun · Moon · Rising.
Available formats at the time of writing: a wide art print in gold or white line art, a crewneck sweatshirt, a tee, a mug, a dad hat, a desk mat, a journal, and a koozie. If you want a different composition, palette, or product, the studio takes custom Big Three commissions as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my birth time to order Big Three artwork?
Only for the Rising sign. Your Sun sign needs the date, and the Moon sign usually does too. If you cannot find a birth time, message the studio; a Sun-and-Moon piece or a different composition can be discussed.
What order do the signs go in?
Sun, Moon, Rising. The arches are labelled in that order on every design.
Which birth-chart calculator should I use?
Any reputable one. For the same date, time, and place they all return the same three signs. If two calculators disagree on the Rising sign, the birth time is probably near a change-over and worth double-checking.
Can I order a Big Three piece as a gift without knowing their chart?
You need their three signs, which means their birth date, time, and place. If you only have the date, order a Sun-and-Moon piece by messaging first, or send a gift card.