Destiny in the Stars: The Beginnings of the Zodiac

The exhibition in the Neues Museum is dedicated to the history and significance of the zodiac from Babylonia to Egypt and the Greco-Roman world.

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  Malerische Umsetzung des runden Himmelsbildes aus Dendera an einer Decke im Neuen Museum (Detail); Foto: Sandra Steiß

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  Mikrozodiak-Tafel für das Zeichen Stier mit Darstellung von Siebengestirn, Mond und Stier

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  Zeichnung eines Tierkreises mit Planetenstellungen

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Divided into several thematic areas, it presents the ancient zodiac from a current scientific and social perspective.

"What is your zodiac sign?" This question is still often asked today, in the age of science. The zodiac has fascinated people since ancient times. It unites man and cosmos, heaven and earth, astronomy and astrology, science and faith, tradition and innovation, certainty and uncertainty, harmony and dissonance. But what exactly is the zodiac? An oracle that generates signs for the future? A mirror that provides insights into the psyche? A projection screen for our striving for knowledge and certainty? A coordinate system that makes the movement of the planets calculable? A visible expression of celestial harmony? Or all these things at the same time? And where did it come from, how did it spread across the world, what was it used for and how was it depicted? What is the contemporary meaning of the zodiac?

In public perception today, the zodiac is primarily associated with horoscopes. The introduction of the zodiac was a turning point in astrology. Together with the zodiac, horoscopy emerged in Babylonia as a new astrological practice, which for the first time was accessible not only to kings and rulers, but also to private individuals from various social classes. Today it is more popular worldwide than ever before, although it is classified as an esoteric practice and pseudoscience. It is based on the belief that the position of the planets at the time of birth contains clues about a person's nature and destiny. This belief stems from the timeless human need for meaning, knowledge about oneself and the future, security and methods of coping with uncertainty. What could be more meaningful and attractive than the realization that human nature and destiny are linked to the cosmos? The relevance of the zodiac also extends to scientific and cultural practices that are central to modern society. We are used to having permanent access to data, analyses, calculations and forecasts via computers and apps. The roots of systematic observation, data collection, data analysis, algorithms, calculation and prediction lie in the zodiac and in the astronomical calculation methods developed in connection with the zodiac in ancient times.

In addition, the journey of the zodiac and the new astronomical and astrological knowledge and practices associated with it through the ancient world is a prime example of innovation, globalization, intercultural exchange and multiculturalism - central and currently much-discussed social issues.The exhibition in the Neues Museum presents the zodiac of the ancient world from a current scientific and social perspective in several thematic areas. Using artifacts from Berlin museums, including some that have never been exhibited before, it takes visitors on a multicultural journey through space and time, from Babylonia to Egypt, Greece and Rome (ca. 400 BC - 400 AD) and explains the zodiac against the background of its significance today.

Runtime: Sat, 21/03/2026 to Sun, 10/01/2027

Takes place here:

• Neues Museum

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