Zodiac Sign Information: All About Leo

Those born between July 23 and Aug. 22 were born under Leo, the sign of the lion. Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. Aquarius is the sign opposite from Leo in the zodiac. The sign's key phrase is "I will." It is a masculine sign.

Leo's mythological roots lie in the story of the Nemean Lion. The lore says the lion was slain by Heracles during one of his 12 labors, and was then put into the sky along with mythological figure Penelope, who was killed during the Trojan War. Gods associated with Leo include Apollo, Helios and Ra. Leo is also associated with the goddess Sunna.

Lucky colors for Leo are gold, orange and red. Lucky numbers are 2 and 7; lucky day of the week is Sunday. The lucky gemstone for this sign is the ruby; the lucky metal is gold.

Signs of the zodiac Leos are compatible with are Gemini, Aries, Sagittarius and Libra.

The parts of the body governed by Leo are the upper back, forearms, wrists, spine and heart. Leos are thought to be susceptible to pain in the back and lungs, troubles with the spine, heart and blood, pain in the sides and ribs, convulsions, extremely high fevers, jaundice and disease of the eyes.

Like the lions that represent them, those born under the sign of Leo tend to be strong leaders. Often, they are almost regal in nature, and are noble in personality. The keywords for the sign are magnanimous, generous, hospitable, caring, warm, authoritative, active and open. Leos are notoriously childlike.

Leo is a fixed fire sign. Leos are typically hard-working, driven, passionate people. One of their common downfalls, however, is a tendency toward laziness, which can make them seek shortcuts to get things done.

Leo folk have a dramatic flair. They are very creative minds, and they are extremely enthusiastic and out-going. They are sure of themselves, and are perfectly comfortable being the center of attention.

Their determination and desire can be ruling forces in their lives. They are relentless in the pursuit of their goals, and have a tendency to try to charm others into their way of thinking. They are very open and honest (sometimes brutally), and are philosophical beings who have definite ideas about they way they think the world should be.

Being a fixed sign, Leos are traditionalists who show great loyalty and determination, as well as bull-headedness. They don't like change, and will resist it to hold onto situations and people even after they are no longer healthy for them.

They are born to lead and are charismatic beings who draw people to them without really trying. They thrive under pressure and are often the voice of reason in dicey situations.

Leos have a tendency to be materialistic. They like things ... nice things. The sign is associated with items such as gold, jewelry, luxury items and fashion. Their intense desire to be creative makes them snub things they consider routine or dull; Leos are always looking for entertainment and thrills.

Those born under the sign of the lion are eternal optimists. They can lean toward being gullible, as they always want to see the best in the people they love and want to believe that only good outcomes will happen. When they are proven wrong about someone they trusted or something doesn't go as they had planned, Leos are prone to sinking into depression. They don't deal well with being hurt, and have a tendency to lash out and get nasty if they think they have been wronged.

Leos are true romantics. They appreciate beauty and are typically very sexual beings. They choose whom they want for their partners and become very attracted. The problems Leos can have in relationships are that they don't particularly like to share the spotlight. Their first loyalty can be to themselves, and they may seek out relationships that benefit them, choosing to abandon the union when that is no longer the case.

As much fun as they can be, Leos, like all signs, have a darker side. Their downfall is usually pride -- Leos can be conceited, jealous boasters. They come on like a ton of bricks and can, sometimes inadvertently, look down their noses at those they believe to be beneath them.

They can also be reckless. Leos are born to compete, and they like to dance, gamble and take risks. They like the outdoors and nature.

The multi-faceted Leo is well suited for a number of careers. Their love of the spotlight makes them perfect for careers in the performing arts; because they love to have a captive audience, much work with children or become teachers. They are shrewd money managers and can be successful in the fields of banking, big business, investing or the stock market.

Their affection for nature could make them well suited to work with animals. Being ruled by the Sun (which is the giver of life in zodiacal terms), Leos often gravitate toward careers in healing, including medicine and dentistry. Their love of a good debate makes them well equipped for careers in politics or public relations.