Medieval Zodiac Constellations
- vashtisca
- Feb 22, 2023
- 7 min read
This collection of medieval artistic interpretations of zodiac constellations includes 8 cultures from 11th to15th centuries. In order to pull a variety of examples into one place I capped each source at 10 examples. Many of the sources have more examples so if you don't see the sign you want from a particular culture click a link and then tab through the images on the museum's page.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 88
Parchment · 11 ff. · 37 x 28.5 cm · St. Bertin beginning of the 11th century. Aratus – Germanicus: Phaenomena.
The Aratea, translated into Latin by Germanicus, describe the 48 ancient constellations and the myths concerning their origins. They are among the most popular picture cycles of medieval monastery schools. The Bernese codex, produced in St. Bertin, is a descendant of the Leiden Aratea and contains scholia which have survived only in this codex.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS M.440 fol. 6v.
Zodiac Sign: Capricornus -- Fantastic goat
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 6r.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius -- Centaur, wearing broad hat, shoots arrow with bow.
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 5v.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio -- Scorpion. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 5r.
Zodiac Sign: Libra -- Scales.
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions.
Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 4v.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo -- Maiden, with long hair, holds up mirror. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 4r.
Zodiac Sign: Leo -- Lion with jaws open and tail upright. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 3v.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer -- Crab.
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 3r.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini -- Two nude youths stand behind shield decorated with fleur-de-lis. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 2v.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus -- Bull looking up. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 1v.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces -- Two fishes connected by red line. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 5v.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio -- Six-legged scorpion.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 6r.
Zodiac Sign: Libra -- Figure (female?), wearing robe, holds scales.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 6v.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius -- Centaur shoots with bow and arrow.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 7r.
Zodiac Sign: Capricornus -- Hybrid goat with snake's body.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 5r.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo -- Female figure, raising right hand, holds fleur-de-lis in left hand.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 4v.
Zodiac Sign: Leo -- Lion.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 4r.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer -- Crab.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 3v.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini -- Twins, nude, stand behind shield, decorated with foliate ornament.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MMS M.283 fol. 3r.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus -- Bull.
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 2v.
Zodiac Sign: Aries -- Ram.
13th Century, England.
Miscellany of Texts on the Quadrivium
Leaf: 24.1 × 15.6 cm (9 1/2 × 6 1/8 in.). Object ID: 83.MO.134.151 .
13th Century, England.
Miscellany of Texts on the Quadrivium
Leaf: 24.1 × 15.6 cm (9 1/2 × 6 1/8 in.)
Object ID: 83.MO.134.151
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 10v.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 11v.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 12v.
Zodiac Sign: Capricornus
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 9v.
Zodiac Sign: Libra
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 8v.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 7v.
Zodiac Sign: Leo
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 6v.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 5v.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 3v.
Zodiac Sign: Aries
1440. Angers or Nantes, France.
Book of Hours. M.63 fol. 2v.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. Fol. 30r, LJS 463.
Old Man Saturn, ruling planet over Capricorn and Aquarius.
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. From fol. 36v of LJS 463.
Mercury – ruling planet over Virgo and Gemini.
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. Fol. 33r, LJS 463.
Mars, ruling planet over Aries and Scorpio
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. Fol. 10r, LJS 463.
Sagittarius archer.
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. Fol. 10r, LJS 463.
Leo
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. Fol. 35v, LJS 463.
Venus, the ruling planet over Taurus and Libra.
1443. Buchau, Germany. Medical and astrological miscellany. From fol. 36v of LJS 463.
Mercury – ruling planet over Virgo and Gemini
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
15th Century. Iran. Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita
H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm). Accession No. 13.160.10.
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