An Aries Rising Sign, or Ascendant in Aries, in your chart means you make a bold and unforgettable first impression.

All about Aries Rising/the Aries Ascendant

Aries rising signs are the firecrackers and go-getters of the zodiac.

Quick and headstrong, you command a “take charge” energy that’s inspiring and motivating. Aries is a fire sign, ruled by warrior planet Mars. This imbues you with red-hot passion and quick impulses.

Although Aries ascendants may come across as bossy, you really just want to be seen as courageous and bold for being the first to blaze your own trail. Careful about jumping into leadership positions, because you might just bite off more than you can chew! You’re an engaging presenter, performer and motivational speaker who can light up the room with megawatt energy.

Are you an Aries Rising?

Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign the ascendant was in when you were born if you’re unsure. To accurately determine your ascendant, you will need to know your birth time. The rising sign or the ascendant is always “in” your first house—in fact it’s the very first degree or the beginning cusp, found at the 9 o’clock point on every chart. Don’t have your birth certificate? If you were born in the United States, you can write to the Office of Vital Records in your birth state for a copy.

Find your Rising Sign

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The ascendant changes zodiac signs about every two hours. Since the sun rises and sets at different times depending on the season, a person born at 10:00 a.m. in April would have a vastly different ascendant than someone born at 10:00 a.m. in November. Fun fact: If you were born at sunrise (or within two hours of it), your ascendant will likely be the same sign as your Sun sign (e.g., Taurus with a Taurus rising—or a “double Taurus”).

Traits of Aries Rising/The Aries Ascendant

Speaking of “headstrong,” Aries rules the head, and you may have strong facial features: lots of hair (or none at all!) and a noticeable browline. Because Aries is the sign of anger and power, you might appear to be pissed off (or occasionally slip into resting bitch face. To meek types, your direct gaze can seem confrontational. Most likely you’re just intently focused on whatever you’re thinking about.

You love to accessorize from the neck up with hats, statement jewelry or funky glasses—and to dress in the signature Aries color: red. Since Aries is the first zodiac sign, you like to make your mark. Without trying, this solo-star ascendant helps you stand out from the crowd. You can be quite the trendsetter!

One of the pitfalls of the Aries rising is that with warring Mars as your chart ruler, your rash delivery and heavy-handedness can intimidate people. However, when channeled through physical and creative outlets, your fury becomes a force to be reckoned with. One Aries rising man we know took up Krav Maga (an Israeli martial art) in his late 50s, and now encourages women to take self-defense courses.

At your worst, you can be an intolerant bully; at your best, this heroic rising sign will champion anyone you see being picked on or pushed around. Overall, you are energetic, but you can overwhelm people if your passion doesn’t have a proper outlet (or five). With this fiery ascendant, you need a lot of movement and action, whether through intense workouts, sexual marathons or even taking the stage as an entertainer.

Celebrities and famous people with Aries Rising

Rihanna, Kourtney Kardashian, Joan Collins, Lea Michele, Christian Louboutin, Eva Peron, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Joan Rivers, Walt Whitman, Benjamin Franklin, John Lennon, Joan Baez, James Dean, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shakira, Shaquille O’Neal, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Rock, Brie Larson, Aisha Tyler, Ron Howard, Jeff Bezos.