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December zodiac sign: Sagittarius or Capricorn?

Emily HartBy Emily Hart, professional astrologer
The Sagittarius and Capricorn constellations side by side in golden line art on a violet night sky — the month's two zodiac signs
The short answer
SagittariusBorn December 1–21SagittariusCapricornBorn December 22–31Capricorn

December is split between two zodiac signs: the Sun finishes its run through Sagittarius and enters Capricorn around December 22. So your December zodiac sign depends on the day — and, if you're born right at the boundary, on the year and hour too.

Born around the boundary?
The Sun doesn't change signs at midnight sharp: the exact moment shifts by up to a day depending on the year and your time zone. If your birthday is December 21–22, don't guess — check your exact sign by date of birth.

What December people have in common

December is winter's fire and earth: Sagittarius believes, Capricorn builds. December people share a long-range sight: today alone is never enough — one needs a horizon, the other a summit. Goals smaller than a year don't interest them.

Within each sign the flavor shifts by decan — ten-degree thirds of the sign. Born the 1st–9th, you're in the second decan of Sagittarius: its core with a shade of Aries. The 10th–21th is the third decan, tinted by Leo. From the 22th you're in the first, purest decan of Capricorn. That's why people of the same month, born ten days apart, can feel so different.

December's birthstone is the turquoise: an ancient talisman of luck and protection on the road — sky-colored, like the aims of both of this month's signs.

The Sagittarius in short

SagittariusSagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Sagittarians hunt meaning: optimistic, honest to the bone, mentally packed for the next journey. They hand out faith in life for free — tact costs them extra. In love they need a co-adventurer, not a warden; Aries, Leo and Aquarius travel light beside them. Ruled by Jupiter, fire element: leave the cage door open and they'll never use it.
The full Sagittarius portrait

The Capricorn in short

CapricornCapricornDecember 22 – January 19
Capricorns are the zodiac's long-game players: disciplined, dry-witted, quietly ambitious. They measure life in built things — careers, homes, reputations — and their word tends to outlast other people's contracts. In love they're slow to open and permanent once committed; their best matches are Taurus, Virgo and Scorpio, who read reliability as the romance it is. Ruled by Saturn, earth element: respect their work and you hold the key.
The full Capricorn portrait

Frequently asked questions

What zodiac sign is December?+
December covers two signs: Sagittarius from the 1st through the 21th, and Capricorn from the 22th through the 31th. The boundary day can shift by one day depending on the year — a birth chart settles it exactly.
What sign is December 22?+
On the average year, December 22 is the first full day of Capricorn — but in some years the Sun crosses the line a few hours earlier or later. If that's your birthday, the free calculator on our dates page resolves it from your exact date.
Why does December have two zodiac signs?+
Zodiac signs follow the Sun's position, not the calendar: the Sun spends about 30 days in each sign, entering a new one around the 20th–23rd of every month. That's why every calendar month is shared by two signs.
Who are December-born people compatible with?+
It depends which of the month's two signs is yours. Sagittarius is a Fire sign: it pairs most easily with its own element and its complement. Capricorn runs on Earth — a different circle entirely. The two sign cards above link to the full compatibility breakdown of each with all 12 signs; for a specific couple, a synastry of both full charts settles it.

Zodiac sign by month

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