Encyclopedia · Glossary
Ascendant
In astrology, the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth.
Definition
In astrology, the Ascendant — also called the rising sign — is the zodiac sign that the tradition places on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place of a person's birth. It is a concept of astrological interpretation, not an astronomical measurement of fact.
In astrological tradition
Because the sign on the eastern horizon changes roughly every two hours, astrologers say the Ascendant requires a precise birth time to determine. Within the tradition it anchors the layout of a birth chart and its houses.
What practitioners associate with it
Astrologers commonly associate the Ascendant with a person's outward style, demeanor, and the first impression they make on others — distinct from the Sun sign. These are interpretive associations within astrology, presented here as cultural tradition rather than scientific claims.