You Know Your Zodiac Sign — But Do You Know Your Planetary Color?

If you’re into astrology, then you’re probably familiar with your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs (SMR). But have you heard of planetary colors?

Each zodiac sign is ruled by one of the seven traditional planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun and Moon, which function as planets in astrology even though they are not technically planets. For thousands of years, astrologers have also associated each celestial body with one or more colors that evoke its significations. These associations vary by astrological text or tradition, but there are some notable consistencies. Venus, the planet of love and beauty, is often assigned green, which conjures images of the natural world; Mars, the planet of conflict and aggression, is commonly linked to red. (It’s no mistake that the popular phrase “seeing red” is a euphemism for being blinded by anger.)

Below, learn more about the world of planetary colors via the 12 signs of the zodiac and their ruling planet. If you’re familiar with your full astrological birth chart, read for your rising sign, which signifies your outward appearance and overall vibe, and your Venus sign, which represents your aesthetic preferences.

Bright red

Aries are naturally bold, enterprising, and unafraid to initiate their own ventures. Those with placements in this Fire sign might find themselves gravitating toward red, the color attributed to their planetary ruler, Mars. Channel the warrior-like strength and motivation associated with the Red Planet by incorporating some saturated rouge into your wardrobe or beauty routine. Aries can act impulsively, so remember, an intentional splash of color goes a long way.

Green

A spindling house plant, a luxuriously steamed matcha latte, a freshly chopped salad — these are the kinds of material pleasures in which earthy Taureans delight. It’s a testament to your ruling planet, Venus, which governs all things sensual, relational, and aesthetically pleasing. Venus is associated with the color green, so honor it by adorning yourself or your surroundings with a hue that harkens back to the natural world. The prettier, the better.

Multi-colored

Geminis are perhaps best described by the word “mercurial,” which nods to their ruling planet, the fast-moving, communication-focused Mercury. Those born under the sign of the Twins often get bad rap for being two-faced; in truth, dear Gemini, you are uniquely equipped to process nuance and duality. Celebrate your capacity for complexity with multi-colored or patterned garments, home decor, or personal items, such as stationery or journals.

White

According to “The Picatrix,” an ancient astrological grimoire translated into English by John Michael Greer and Christopher Warnock, the moon is associated with the color white. It’s easy to see why. This celestial body reflects the sun’s light and illuminates the night sky in varying degrees as it moves through its phases, acting as a cosmic flashlight to us down here on earth. The moon rules one sign, Cancer, so those with placements in this comfort-loving Water sign should introduce white or off-whites into their home or wardrobe. Anything silky, shimmery, or soft to the touch gets bonus points.

Gold

As if I’d recommend anything else for the lion of the zodiac! Like the Moon, the Sun only rules one sign: the loyal, charismatic, and self-oriented Leo. Connect with your inner lion by incorporating gold, the Sun’s favorite shade, into your day-to-day life. Just be wary of hoarding too many gilded treasures for yourself. Leos shine brightest when they share their warmth, playfulness, and regal taste with the people they love.

Maroon

The planet of communication and transactions rules Virgo as well as Gemini. “The Picatrix” assigns Mercury a color resembling “lac,” which Greer and Warnock describe in a footnote as “[tree] resin with a red-brown color.” It’s a solid shade for Virgo, a detail-oriented Earth sign. Those born under this sign should try incorporating hints of maroon into their work attire or communiqués. It can be as simple as journaling with a dark red pen or adding a line of maroon text to your email signature.

Pastels, such as pink or lilac

Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, but the latter’s airy nature makes it the more relationship-oriented of the two Venusian signs. Libras are pros at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, blending into new social settings, and adapting to unspoken codes of conduct with ease. Channel this mutable sign’s changeability with pleasant pastel colors, such as pink or lilac. As revered astro-mage Kaitlin Coppock has noted, Venus is also associated with the color white, which is a necessary ingredient in the formation of all pastel pigments.

Terracotta

Scorpio shares its ruling planet, Mars, with Aries, but this misunderstood Water sign has little else in common with the firebrand of the zodiac. Scorpios are emotional, intuitive, and profoundly curious, favoring deep dives over surface-level chatter. Those with placements in this elusive sign should experiment with terracotta, a red-tinged brown that evokes the mineral-rich clay below the earth’s surface.

Blue, green, or teal

The most grandiose of the Fire signs, Sagittarius owes its passion and penchant for philosophizing to Jupiter, its planetary ruler. Jove governs abundance, spirituality, and generosity, and its planetary color — blue, green, or some hue in between, depending on who you ask; “The Picatrix” for example, says green — conjures imagery of an ocean teeming with life. Channel Sag’s alacritous spirit with one or more of these splendid colors.

Espresso

This serious, task-oriented Earth sign is ruled by Saturn, the ringed planet associated with boundaries, structures, and traditions. Ancient astrologer Vettius Valens, per astrologer Chris Brennan’s translation in “Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune”, describes Saturnian energy as “dark brown in color.” Is it the flashiest hue? No, but espresso is a rich, dependable neutral that can ground even the most outlandish of color palettes. What’s more Cap than that?

Black

Thought I’d ascribe black to brooding Scorpio? Think again. This color (or lack thereof) is linked to cerebral, innovative Aquarius, the other sign of the zodiac ruled by Saturn. Like espresso, black is technically a neutral, but its eye-catching, inky depth aligns perfectly with the rebellious spirit of airy Aquarius, who will go to great lengths to achieve justice. (Aquarians possess many qualities, but “neutral” is not one of them.)

Silver

Sweet Pisces is also ruled by Jupiter, but its innate creativity and empathy are in stark contrast to Sag’s honesty and zealousness. Connect with your Piscean je ne sais quoi via accents of silver. Objects with metallic or reflective surfaces — think silver jewelry, cutlery, or mirrors — are especially apt for a sign with strong ties to mysticism and dreams.

This piece is part of Color Month, where we’re showing you the best ways to inject more color into your home and life. From paint color combos to vibrant house tours, head over here to see it all.