Summary
Across the many regions of the world ofPokémonthere are a plethora of reasons to look to the stars. Extraterrestrial-themedPokémonsuch as the MeteorPokémonMinior, the mutated space virus Deoxys, and themoon-loving Clefairy have captivated and intrigued many people over the yearsand have added a unique look into the lore of the franchise. It is therefore not too much of a stretch to imagine thatthe denizens of the Pokémon World have their own star constellations, and perhaps beyond that, their own Zodiac Signs.
It is highly unlikely, however, that these Zodiac Signs would match those of our own, seeing as seven of them are commonly represented by members of the animal kingdom. Instead, it’s interesting to think thatthey would use Pokémon as the basis for their astrological signs. But which ones suit each sign? Assuming their stars are in the same places as ours, there are twelve Pokémon that seem to fit the bill perfectly.
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1Aries - Dubwool
The Ram (March 21- April 19)
Kicking things off is the first of the Astrological Signs, Aries - often represented by the Ram. Typically known for being fairly headstrong and full of ambition, a ram is the perfect fit for the sign, andwho would be a better fit for the ram than that of Dubwool?This Gen VIII Pokémon evolves from the ever-popular Wooloo and is heavily designed with Ram’s in mind.
Dubwool and Wooloo are both known as the ‘Sheep Pokémon’.When thinking of sheep-based Pokémon,however,some may instead think of Gen II’s Mareep line, and while, yes, they could arguably be a good fit for Aries, none in the evolutionary line lean as heavily into the ‘Ram’ theme as Dubwool does.
2Taurus - Tauros
The Bull (April 20 - May 20)
When thinking of a Pokémon that could represent the star sign Taurus,few would look further than Gen I staple Tauros. Not only is the name of thePokémononly a letter away from being the same word, but it is the closest choice in terms of design to matching a typical bull. A case could be made for Bouffalant, but when examining the species type,you’ll find that Bouffalant is the ‘Bash Buffalo Pokémon’while Tauros is the ‘Wild Bull Pokémon’.
The fact that the herd was kept together shows their strong bond with one another
Tauros are best known in the anime for traveling in a herd,and in the first season of the show, Ash managed to capture a herd of 30 Tauros in the Safari Zone inan episode that was banned from playing in multiple countries outside of Japan.The fact that the herd was kept together shows their strong bond with one another, therefore matching the stereotype of those under the Taurus banner being fiercely loyal.
3Gemini - Doublade
The Twins (May 21 - June 21)
When you come across the concept of twins inPokémon,many will turn to examples such as Plusle and Minun or Basculin with its two distinct forms.But Plusle and Minun, while definitely matching the twins concept, are distinctly two separate Pokémon,andas ofPokémon Legends: ArceusBasculin now has a third form.
Who else then represents the twin aspect of Gemini more than Gen VI’s Doublade, the ‘SwordPokémon’?Evolving from the single sword-based Honedge, Steel/Ghost type Doublade takes on a dual-wield form, much like other famous Pokémon whose evolutions are simply their initial forms but shown in groups such as Dugtrio or Magneton.
4Cancer - Kingler
The Crab (June 22 - July 22)
Cancer is the Crab Zodiac, and when it comes to crabs, there are plenty of options within the Pokémon world.
From Gen I’s Krabby through to Gen IX’s Klawf, there are over ten different types of crustacean-based Pokémon.Narrowing it down to a single representative may seem like a daunting task, but it may actually be somewhat straightforward. Of the various shelled Pokémon,only five of them are specifically crab-based: Krabby, Kingler, Crabrawler, Crabominable, and Klawf.
All the Zodiacs fit into four subcategories based on the elements; Fire, Water, Air, and Earth.Cancer happens to be a water sign, and the only water-type crab Pokémon are Krabby and Kingler. A typical personality trait revolving around Cancer is protectiveness. Therefore Kingler, with its imposing figure, is the perfect choice.
There are at least 14 crab-like Pokémon that have appeared in the anime across various seasons.
Some crab-like Pokémon and the seasons they appeared in
5Leo - Pyroar
The Lion (July 23 - August 22)
Like Taurus, Leo is another Zodiac sign with one match that stands proudly above the competition. Sitting in the hottest months of the year, Leo is one of the three fire signs and is typically associated with such key traits as charisma, confidence, and vivaciousness.When you put it all together, Lion plus Fire plus Confidence, one Pokémon springs to mind: Pyroar.
This intimidating Fire/NormalPokémondebuted in Gen VI, and became one of the few Pokémon with distinctively different designs for its male and female forms.
6Virgo - Gardevoir
The Maiden (August 23 - September 22)
Within recent generations of Pokémon,there seems to be a trend of introducing an evolutionary line that ends in a form that is definitively feminine - such examples include Lilligant, Tsareena, and Hatterene. All of these could be clear choices for Virgo, ‘the Maiden’, but one stands out among the rest, and it’s, of course,Gardevoir, the original feminine Pokémon.
Gardevoir manages to match the core aspects commonly linked with Virgo - Humility, Patience, and Reliability.Virgos are known for being deeply caring people,and so who would be a better fit than the ‘Embrace Pokémon’?
7Libra - Absol
The Scales (September 23 - October 22)
Libra is a complicated Zodiac Sign to match a Pokémon to. Seeing as there are no obvious choices in terms of design, with there being no Pokémon as of yet that are based on scales, it comes down to looking deeper into Pokémon lore.Absol is a deeply misunderstoodPokémon.Various Pokédex entries tell of its attempts to warn humanity of the natural disasters it senses, only to be mistaken as the harbinger of said disasters.
“Although it’s said to bring disaster, in actuality, this Pokémon possesses a calm disposition and warns people of any crises that loom.”
-Pokédex Entry for Absol fromPokémon Moon(2016 | Dir. Shigeru Ohmori)
This desire to protect others despite being ostracised and misconceived perfectly suits Libra’s typical hate of loneliness, plus Absol’s choice to weigh in on the result of a natural disaster to save lives shows its link to the Scales Zodiac.
8Scorpio - Skorupi
The Scorpion (October 23 - November 21)
Skorupi is a Pokémon that was introduced in Gen IV along with its evolution, Drapion.Classified simply as the ‘Scorpion Pokémon’,its design blends perfectly with the Scorpio theme.Besides Drapion, another line that could have worked is that of Gligar and Gliscor, also from Gen VI, but with the latter being more bat-like than scorpion-like the Skorupi line stood out more as a better fit.
Scorpios are known for their tenacity and bravery despite the odds,an everyday comparison to David and Goliath.Therefore, having Skorupi represent Scorpio over Drapion makes sense due to it too having a tenacious and brave spirit despite its short stature, as shown in both the games and the anime.
9Sagittarius - Decidueye
The Archer (November 22 - December 21)
While typically Sagittarius is represented by a Centaur, there is unfortunately no Centaur-based Pokémon as of Gen IX. Therefore, it only makes sense to focus on another core element of the Sagittarius symbology: The Archer.There is one Pokémon that springs to mind quickly when thinking of archery, Gen VII’s grass starter Pokémon Decidueye.
Decidueye is classified as the ‘Arrow Quill Pokémon’,andis shown in the anime and the games using its wings as a bow and its feathers as arrows.Beyond that, Sagittarius are known for being adventurous, wise, and inquisitive, all traits that have commonly been linked to Owls.
10Capricorn - Gogoat
The Goat (December 22 - January 20)
Capricorns are workaholics, completely devoted to servicing and taking care of those in need.This star sign is also represented by the Goat, or more commonly a ‘sea-goat’, but seeing as there are no water-type goat Pokémon,thoughts instead go to Gen XI’s Gogoat, the ‘Mount Pokémon’,who acts as one of the series’ first ride Pokémon,therefore looking after the player.
Despite being associated with a ‘sea-goat’,Capricorn is actually one of the Earth Signs, and therefore the grass-type Gogoat makes a perfect match for the Zodiac sign.
