Zodiac Poster - Aries

Poster of the original paiting by Jake Baddeley from his zodiac series. Aries (March 21 - April 19) "As each sign is given a month one wonders why Aries , the first sign is the sign of March and not our beginning of the year January. The reason for this can be traced all the way back to the Sumerians whose year began in March on the spring equinox a fact that reveals the nature of the sign. The vitality of spring and the return of the sun are key themes related to Aries. Aries started out as a Babylonian farm worker or ‘hired hand’ developing later into Dumizi the Shepherd king, both relating to the farming calendar. The Egyptians developed this idea portraying the constellation as a ram headed god representing both fertility and the vitality of war. Aries has much to do with the solar qualities of creativity, energy, enthusiasm and courage. The Sun is the symbol of consciousness, individuality, clear direction and definition - the power of the will to rise above instinct and take control. The warlike Romans saw Aries as ruled by the planet Mars personified by the Roman god of war with the similar name of Ares, accentuating the martial character of this sign. This is the aspect that I have incorporated into this painting." More info on the original paintings of Jake Baddeley at www.jakebaddeley.com