The symbol for Aries is The Ram. It has been referred to as the leader of the astrology signs, as it is the first sign in the order of the twelve. The Ram as a symbol represents the horns of the Ram. It signifies a head on approach to life, and is well suited to the life attitude of those born under Aries. The Ram reflects leadership, confidence, drive, and courage!

According to one legend, The Ram was called upon to serve as a protector, a gift from the ancient god Hermes to Nephele. The Ram was to take her children, Helle and Phrixus to safety, as they were in danger of being sacrificed in order to appease the gods. The reason all this was happening, was because the Queen Ion wanted to take control of the kingdom, and was jealous of Nephele's children. Ion had actually orchestrated a famine, by instructing the village women to roast all the corn seeds prior to the men planting them. She then bribed the messengers her husband, King Athamas, had sent to an Oracle for a solution to the end of the poor crops. The message he received back, was that Helle and Phrixus were the cause of the famine, and that the two children should be sacrificed.

King Athamas was in despair upon receiving the Oracles advice. He did not wish to harm the children he was so fond of, but he did not want his kingdom to starve either. As was the standard of those days, he had no choice but to action the advice from the wise Oracle, and proclaimed that the children were to be sacrificed. Days before the ceremonial sacrifice was to happen, the Ram sent by Hermes to protect the children, went to them and advised them of its mission. They were to climb aboard its back, and hold on with all their might to its golden fleece as it flew them to safety across the ocean. Helle was not as strong as her brother Phrixus however, and fell to a drowning death in the sea known by the Greeks as the 'Sea of Helle'. It is known today as the Dardanelles. Phrixus survived the journey and was delivered to the eastern shores of the Black Sea, where he was warmly accepted, and married into the royal family.

The Golden Fleece was given as a gift by Phrixus to Aeetes, who had it hung from an oak tree in a sacred grove to Ares. It was protected by an alert and guarding serpent, and became the source of many a legend to follow. It was eventually stolen later by Jason and the Argonauts. The body of The Ram was to be sacrificed to Zeus, who was known as the God of Escape. It has also been referred to as the Ram which Zeus transformed himself into when he was being chased by the giants. As a mark of respect for The Ram's bravery, courage, and dedication, Zeus placed the shape of The Ram in the stars above, where it still shines brightly today, and is the representative constellation for Aries.