Medieval Zodiac Constellations
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/5v
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/5r/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/4v/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/4r/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/3v/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/3r/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/3r/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/2r/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/1v/0/
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.
https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bbb/0088/6v/0/
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS M.440 fol. 6v.
Zodiac Sign: Capricornus -- Fantastic goat
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/12/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/11/77322
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 5v.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio -- Scorpion. Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/10/77322
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 5r.
Zodiac Sign: Libra -- Scales.
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions.
Champide KL initials.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/9/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/8/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/7/77322
1261 Belgium, Liège. Psalter-Hours. MS MS M.440 fol. 3v.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer -- Crab.
Illustrations with gold backgrounds in medallions. Champide KL initials.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/6/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/5/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/4/77322
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/2/77322
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 5v.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio -- Six-legged scorpion.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/9/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 6r.
Zodiac Sign: Libra -- Figure (female?), wearing robe, holds scales.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/10/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 6v.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius -- Centaur shoots with bow and arrow.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/11/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 7r.
Zodiac Sign: Capricornus -- Hybrid goat with snake's body.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/12/77413
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.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/8/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 4v.
Zodiac Sign: Leo -- Lion.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/7/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 4r.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer -- Crab.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/6/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 3v.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini -- Twins, nude, stand behind shield, decorated with foliate ornament.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/5/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MMS M.283 fol. 3r.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus -- Bull.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/4/77413
1228-1247 Psalter. France, Paris.
MS M.283 fol. 2v.
Zodiac Sign: Aries -- Ram.
http://ica.themorgan.org/manuscript/page/3/77413
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 .
https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/108FPC#full-artwork-details
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
https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/108FPC#full-artwork-details
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/kitab-al-bulhan-or-book-of-wonders-late-14thc
14th Century, Iraq. Kitab al-Bulhan.
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/kitab-al-bulhan-or-book-of-wonders-late-14thc