Leo Zodiac Sign: Dates, Personality and Compatibility
Leo might be the fifth sign of the zodiac sequence, but those born under a Leo Sun are often the most captivating people in the room. Does a Leo have your attention? Of course they do—with infectious optimism and genuine self-expression, Leo can’t help but charm you. No matter what they’re doing, magnetic Leos are always unapologetically themselves.
From July 23rd through August 22nd, Leo energy beams over us. For a sign that shines so brightly, it's appropriate that the Sun itself is Leo’s ruling planet. Represented as a lion’s tail (♌), this fire sign’s pride matches its dazzle. Leo also corresponds to the fifth house of pleasure and the Strength tarot card.
According to an Ancient Greek myth, the Leo constellation refers to the divine hero Heracles’ defeat of the Nemean lion. Although Heracles relied on physical strength, he also succeeded through other virtues: intellect, integrity, and more. In general, Heracles—both majestic and playful—is an excellent representative of the Leo character.
Like Taurus season (which arrives earlier in the zodiac year), Leo exhibits a fixed modality. Determination is a key feature of the approach to life for fixed signs, who also feel very comfortable in their respective elements. As people with this modality, driven Leos apply willpower to earn the respect they crave.
Leo Dates: July 23 – August 22
Leo season rests in the midst of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. Bright and proud, Leo bridges our time spent with Cancer’s crab before July 23rd and with Virgo’s maiden after August 22nd. If you were born during the Leo astrological sign’s reign, it amplifies your lionhearted roar.
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Read morePersonality Traits of a Leo
Within the zodiac wheel, Leo represents the solid footing of adulthood. Whereas earlier signs focus on exploring identity, Leo is a zodiac personality that feels firm about who they are. As a result, these types can remove the masks they’ve worn in their younger years and express themselves authentically and confidently.
Leo Sun signs are natural leaders motivated by bold moves: displaying their talents, commanding rooms, pulling off risky feats, and winning lovers’ hearts. As much as their self-confidence makes them the center of attention, they love to shine light on the people they love too. When approaching problems, Leo is idealistic and conscious of others. However, their passion makes them vulnerable to inflexible thinking and dismissiveness.
Because a smaller period (called a decan) within your zodiac sign’s time frame influences your birth chart, your horoscope, and how you express traits, a Leo might be one of three types of lion: a July Leo is especially sunny and easily adored; the adventurous Leos of early August learn through new experiences; and the final decan brings the fiercest and most daring energy of the bunch.
Leo Strengths
Leo people can be incredibly generous leaders. They’re at their best among those who recognize their capabilities and respect their visions. Some notable Leo personality trait strengths include the following:
Ambition
Bravery
Charisma
Dignity
Generosity
Honesty
Idealism
Radiance
Self-assuredness
Self-respect
Leo Weaknesses
Because Leo people can be overly preoccupied with status, a Leo who lacks awareness might try to control others’ perceptions in unhealthy ways. The following tendencies are examples of how this behavior might manifest:
Aggression
Arrogance
Bossiness
Callousness
Dogmatism
Envy
Immaturity
Pretentiousness
Status-obsession
Vanity
Leo in Love and Relationships
Leo people express exuberant affection for their loved ones, and they don’t change who they are for relationships. The resulting authentic connections create many mutually pleasurable experiences. Leo’s sexual and romantic passion might be unmatched, but if the vibe isn’t right—well, it’s Leo’s way or the highway. On the upside, getting “stuck” in substandard relationships is unlikely with uncompromising Leo.
Yet, people born under the Leo sign are extremely loyal to partners who are honest and admiring. When a partnership is balanced, a Leo person also shows honesty and admiration. However, people who don’t demonstrate affection will decidedly turn them off. A Leo’s love grows where laughter is abundant; you’ll know a Leo loves you when you lift each other up.
Leo Women in Relationships
In partnerships, a Leo woman tends to value excitement and freedom. This doesn’t mean she’s noncommittal, but she does need to make her own decisions and cultivate a social and professional life that’s separate from her partner’s influence. She’s a warm, generous, and secure partner to those who adore her confidence and style.
Leo Men in Relationships
Leo men are charmers who move through the world with swagger and self-esteem. As such, a Leo man might show off through his relationships, especially if they demonstrate status in his world. Although being admired feels good, he’s perfectly willing to return the favor, showering his partners with affirmation. He’s drawn to one-of-a-kind types who will create an unconventional life with him.
Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches
Although much more than astrology influences relationships, fiery Leo generally sees eye to eye with fellow fire signs Aries and Sagittarius. Air signs Gemini and Libra stoke Leo’s energetic nature, though Aquarius offers the highest potential. Scorpio and Taurus find themselves in stalemates with the lion, and Leo compatibility is at its lowest when struggling to relate to Capricorn and Pisces.
Most Compatible with Leo
Aries and Leo make a ride-or-die pair, and the relationship has spark from the start. Because these two can lead together without unhealthy competition, they collaborate well and make great coparents. A Sagittarius lover similarly brings fire, matching Leo’s enthusiasm and sense of adventure. In this pairing, everything feels effortless.
Meanwhile, air signs complement the fire element in Leo. Gemini, for example, encourages the fun-loving and independent Leo nature; their partnership is especially social. When Libra and Leo individuals form a union, these two respect each other’s appreciation for beauty. Together, they build a mutually supportive environment.
Perhaps the best partner for Leo, however, is the unique and free-thinking Aquarius. Both of these signs value individual expression as well as inspiring leadership. Aquarius pushes Leo to work for the collective good. At the same time, Leo is fascinating to Aquarius, who admires the lion’s nonconformist and often radical spirit.
Least Compatible with Leo
Scorpio and Taurus are fixed signs like Leo, which means they’re all committed to their distinct ways of doing things. Imagine how a lion, scorpion, and bull might approach a problem: they each have an effective method, but the methods are wildly different. As a result, these signs tend toward prolonged conflict.
The signs Capricorn and Pisces don’t have much in common with Leo, making it hard to build a foundation. As far as Leo’s concerned, Capricorn’s not as impressed as they should be, and Capricorn may feel that Leo undermines their efforts. Dreamy Pisces is inscrutable to Leo, who also isn’t as spiritual as Pisces might desire.
Leo in Friendship
Leo people want to foster positivity among friends and strive to remove obstacles to a good time. For instance, playful Leo friends are likely to lead efforts to organize joyful shared experiences. As much as they love to act as cheerleaders, Leos are also the friends you can rely on for honest opinions.
However, Leo’s “queen bee” attitude can sometimes cause their friends to feel disregarded. Yet Leo, unafraid of conflict, is always ready to find resolution through tough conversations. Overall, status-conscious Leo strives to be in everyone’s good graces, and others bask in the limelight of their companionship and support.
Careers Fit (and Unfit) for a Leo
Because Leos are so willing to navigate disagreements and dispel tension, they quickly gain a reputation for getting a job done no matter what it takes. Leo people’s easy charm also serves them as they negotiate interpersonal dynamics. Their work ethic, singular focus, and unshakeable confidence make them irreplaceable team contributors.
Unsurprisingly, Leo people are well-liked and easily gain recognition for their accomplishments. Since credit matters so much, Leos can become demanding if colleagues neglect to acknowledge them; conversely, they might stay longer in unsatisfying jobs where they receive praise. Their leadership qualities can occasionally come off as domineering, but Leos typically know how to win anyone over.
At ease atop a social hierarchy, Leos often find themselves in positions of power. Unconventional career paths are also alluring to naturally trailblazing Leos. Their style shines wherever they go, and they won’t last long if expression is censored. As they love to spend money but can’t be bothered to budget, a high-paying job suits their lifestyle.
Best Careers for a Leo
To feel truly satisfied in their careers, Leos must engage in work that allows them to showcase their skills and earn recognition. Although Leo can cultivate a satisfying work life in many different roles, top contenders include the following:
Entertainer (such as actor or show host)
Chief executive
Fashion icon
Life coach or motivational speaker
Politician
Worst Careers for a Leo
A paycheck often isn’t enough—a Leo needs an audience. The following professions aren’t likely to meet Leo’s social needs:
Technical writer
Laboratory technician
Software engineer
Personal assistant
Tax consulting or auditing
Famous Leo Personalities
Leo people are highly unique leaders and trendsetters. The following well-known people embody the Leo character:
Barack Obama
Davy Crockett
Emily Brontë
James Baldwin
Jerry Garcia
Kate Bush
Madonna
Mick Jagger
Napoleon Bonaparte
Tom Brady
Whitney Houston