The symbol for Aquarius is The Water Bearer. The Water Bearer as a symbol represents the flow of water from the Water Bearer's vessel. It is symbolic of washing away the past in order to enjoy a new beginning. It signifies an eternal and spiritual approach to life, and is well suited to the life attitude of those born under Aquarius. The Water Bearer, like many Aquarians, reflects freshness, equality, vision, freedom, and individuality!

According to one Greek legend, Zeus fell in love with a beautiful young Trojan boy named Ganymede, the King of Troy's son. Whilst tending his father’s herd of sheep, Zeus transformed himself into an eagle and swooped in and carried Ganymede away to Mount Olympus, where he proclaimed him the bearer of divine drinks for the Gods. This role was already being served by Hebe, the Goddess of Youth and the daughter of Queen Hera. Queen Hera was not at all happy with this, and it caused some disturbance amongst the Gods of Olympus. Hera was also disgraced with Zeus for falling for such a young boy. Her outspoken attitude infuriated Zeus, who in retaliation, decided to secure Ganymede's position, and placed his image amongst the stars. which came to represent the spirit rising to the heavens.

The Arabs associated this constellation with the rainy season. They also believed that the water vessel was the sacred cauldron of Cerridwen, the Celtic Goddess. By taking a sip from the urn, one would gain infinite wisdom and prophetic abilities. In India, Aquarius is considered the first of the astrology signs. They associated it with their God of Water, Varuna, who looked upon the Earth from the thousand eyes of the stars above. It was believed that the seven streams of heaven poured from his mouth, and that Varuna could take the form of half bird and half crocodile, in order to patrol both the earth and the skies.

Ancient Egyptians associated the stars of the constellation Aquarius with their God of Water, Khmun. It was believed that he could cause the river Nile to overflow, sending much needed resources over the land so it could perpetuate vegetation and growth. Khmun was regarded as a kind God for bringing water to their barren lands. The Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for water has been the same as that used by astrologers for Aquarius since ancient times. The Persians, Turkish, and Syrians referred to Aquarius as the Water Bucket. The ancient Babylonians recognized the Water Bearer with their God, Shabatu, The Curse of Rain, which represented their eleventh month and awesome floods. The Water Bearer symbol has been found on ancient Babylonian stones, and is considered to be one of the oldest constellations.