The symbol for Virgo is The Virgin. The Virgin as a symbol represents the sexual organs with an inward tail closing off entry. It is also associated with fertility, prosperity, and good judgment. It signifies a refined approach to life, and is well suited to the life attitude of those born under Virgo. The Virgin, just like many Virgos, reflects practicality, perfectionism, truth, dignity, and composure!

There have been many interpretations about how the constellation Virgo came about. According to ancient Roman beliefs, Virgo was often referred to as Prosperina, a wheat bearing maiden, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres. In keeping with this legend, Pluto, known as the God of the Underworld, was traveling through the fields in his black horse drawn chariot. As he was noticing all the new beginnings of springtime's growth, he could not help but notice Prosperina, a beautiful young maiden who was collecting flowers from the fields. Pluto could not resist her natural beauty, so he grabbed her and swiftly returned to his underworld.

Prosperina's mother, Ceres, was distraught to say the least. She set about searching the lands and the seas to find her missing daughter. She was so focused on finding her that she discarded her duties to look after the harvests and crops. The vegetation began to die, which brought on a serious threat of famine on the Earth. The situation got well out of hand, and Jupiter refused to put up with such a crisis anymore! He took control and sent a messenger to Pluto, announcing that Prosperina was to live with her mother Ceres on Earth for six months of the year, and with Pluto in his kingdom of darkness for the other six. For the six months Prosperina stayed with her mother, the Earth abounded with growth and healthy crops. Her stay with her mother represented the beginning of springtime.

The Greeks saw Virgo as Demeter, Goddess of the Earth and Springtime. The story is a little similar to the ancient Roman one, whereupon Hades whisked her daughter Persephone away in his black chariot, promising to marry the beautiful maiden of his desires. Her mother, Demeter would not put up with such behavior, and commenced searching the Earth for her daughter. During this time she overlooked her caring and nurturing duties on Earth, and people began to starve to death. Demeters husband was Zeus, who sent a messenger to Pluto, instructing him of his new proclamation, that Persephone would live half the year on Olympus to appease Demeter, and the other half in the underworld of Hades.

Another Roman legend acknowledges Virgo as Parthenos, the daughter of Chrysothemis and Apollo, who died at a young age and was placed in the heavens above, to govern mankind's fortune and prosperity. Another version saw Virgo as the most respected and beautiful Astrea, considered the Goddess of Justice. It was understood that she became so disgusted in mankind's greed and shocking behavior, that she fled the Earth and lived in the skies, so she no longer had to witness such decadent selfishness!

The Egyptians saw Virgo as Isis, their Goddess of Fertility, who influenced humans in their day to day management of the household, marriage, medical care, and magic. When her brother, Osiris died, she began searching for him, only to find him and lose him again.

Ancient Babylonians recognized Virgo as Ishtar, the Goddess of Procreation whose husband Tammuz, the God of the Harvest, was killed and taken away by King Winter. Ishtar commenced her quest to find her husband, neglecting the crops and the fields, whereupon the icy cold of winter took control. When she did find him, she became a prisoner of the underworld herself. The great Gods refused to accept the situation on Earth, and sent a message to the Underworld Keeper insisting on her release. Every autumn, Ishtar would mourn the death of her husband, and return to the underworld to be with him, leaving winter to control the Earth once again. It was understood that the arrival of the new harvest of corn announced her return each year.

In India, Virgo was considered by Hindus as Kauni, the Maiden who was also the mother of Krishna. She was known to the Sumerians as well. The Assyrians saw her as Baalita, the wife of the God Baal, and Hebrews revered her as Bethulah, who governed great harvests. The Persians knew her as Khosha, known as the Ear of Wheat. Christians were understood to believe that she represented the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.