vashtisca
- Feb 22
- 7 min read

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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