lion pendants - leo 3D print model

What Is a Leo? So, how do you know if you're a Leo? Dates for a Leo birthday range (approximately) from July 23 to August 22. This is when the sun is passing through Leo as it makes its way around the Earth. That means Leo is definitely a summer sign, which is partly why Leos tend to have such fiery personalities.

Astrology tells us that Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac, following Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer. The Leo sign is ruled by the Sun and is of fixed quality—this means that brightly burning Sun fixes the Leo personality type into a consistent, mostly unchanging set of traits.

Leo's ruling element is fire, and its zodiac symbol is a lion. Both of these symbols help explain the defining Leo characteristics. Like a crackling fire, Leos tend to be warm, passionate, and dynamic. They delight in opportunities to let their charismatic, inclusive personality shine.

And like the lion that represents them, Leos are also strong, brave, and ready to dominate everything they set out to do. Once Leos set a goal, they pursue it with single-minded determination. If a Leo sets their mind on something, everyone better get out of their way!

We've mentioned that Leos are often associated with lions, both in terms of personality and behavior. But many people don't realize that the Leo zodiac sign is associated with the Greek myth of the Nemean Lion.

As the story goes, the Nemean Lion terrorized the Nemean villagers who lived near him. Many versions of this myth say that the Nemean Lion would kidnap women and hold them in his lair in order to lure warriors to their deaths. What all the stories agree on, however, is how vicious the Nemean Lion was. It was huge and ferocious, and it couldn't be killed with mortal weapons because of its impenetrable fur.

Eventually, King Eurystheus sends his cousin, Heracles, to kill the lion. To do so, Heracles waits until the lion returns to its lair, then Heracles strangles it with his bare hands. The goddess Athena then helps Heracles skin the lion, and he uses the impenetrable pelt as armor.

While the Nemean Lion was definitely the villain in this story, this story also highlights the strength, cleverness, and tenacity of the lion. While the Nemean Lion may not have used these qualities for good, that doesn't mean modern-day Leos can't. When Leos are at their best, they can channel the characteristics of their namesake to do great things for both themselves and those around them!

The 8 Key Leo Characteristics Now that you have a general sense of what a Leo is, it's worth spending more time investigating Leo traits.

Every personality type has its strengths and weaknesses, and those who fall under the Leo astrology sign are no different. If you're a Leo, it's important to understand what makes you tick. As a Leo who craves success, this is a key first step on your journey to greatness! Knowing the ins and outs of your Leo personality can help you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Understanding Leo characteristics is important for anyone who has a Leo in their lives, though. When you understand your Leo partners, family members, friends, and coworkers, you can encourage their growth and help them check themselves when they get a little unruly.

With that in mind, let's take a look at Leo traits and this Zodiac sign's four biggest strengths and weaknesses. Top 4 Leo Strengths When you think of lions and fire, you probably think big and loud, commanding and powerful, warm and dazzling. These admirable qualities of lions and fire pretty much sum up the traits that make the Leo astrology sign special. The Leo personality is most commonly known for exhibiting four key strengths: generosity and big-heartedness, self-confidence, determination, and natural leadership.

Strength 1: Generosity and Big-Heartedness Do you have a friend who would give you the shirt off their own backs if you needed it? Maybe you have a cousin or sibling that is known for giving the best birthday gifts ever. If you do, there's a good chance that person is a Leo.

The thing about Leos is that they have a lot of love to give. If a Leo finds a place for you in their heart, consider yourself lucky: Leos tend to be extremely generous with their time, attention, affection, and money. As a result, Leos tend to attract people to them...so don't be surprised if the Leos in your life have a pretty considerable entourage!

Strength 2: Self-Confidence Self-confidence comes easily to Leos as well. Like their lion symbol, Leos know they're powerful and commanding, and they aren't afraid to show it. Leos are the type of people who can wear their hair in a crazy new style (just because they want to!), and within weeks it's become the new trend. Leos aren't afraid to like what they like, and they carry themselves with such incredible confidence that they can convince other people to like it, too.

Because Leos couple their own self-confidence with a generous spirit, Leos often tend to be excellent cheerleaders for those around them. Worried about passing a test? Your Leo friend is sure you're going to do great. Have a big competition coming up? Your Leo friend will not only help you practice, they'll convince you that you'll win no matter what!

Strength 3: Determination Leos are also persevering and determined, making them pretty much unstoppable when you consider how much their self-confidence they have. When Leos set out to achieve something, they aren't going to stop until it's done (and done right). Their determination is usually fueled by an unflaggable optimism, which carries them through even when the road to achieving their goals gets rocky.

The result are people who chase after huge goals. Leos don't want to just climb any mountain, they want to tackle Everest! Consequently, Leos are known for setting their sights on huge goals...and achieving them.

Strength 4: Natural Leadership Finally, Leos are often naturally gifted leaders. Self-confidence, determination, and big heartedness are traits that most people admire and desire, so it's no surprise that Leos are often well-suited to lead others. Their charisma draws people to them, and their self-confidence inspires trust in their abilities. Additionally, their generosity and optimism breeds loyalty in those they lead. If you know someone who gets elected to lead group projects or student organizations without even trying, there's a good chance you're dealing with a Leo!