The symbol of the virgin has long been used in ritual and religious practice, where it is generally understood as a symbol of purity.

Zodiac Origins

Traditionally Virgo is the Zodiacal constellation between Leo and Libra, and the 6th sign of the Zodiac. The sign for Virgo, The Virgin, is one of the few Zodiac signs represented by a human. She is often depicted holding a sheaf of corn, which is a harvest symbol, variations of which have been used in many civilizations since antiquity.

The symbol of the virgin has long been used in ritual and religious practice, where it is generally understood as a symbol of purity. The best known example in the mythology of the western world is that of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The influence of this symbol on the religious and cultural lives of Christians over the last two thousand years has been considerable, and it is still observable today in the rituals and icons of the Catholic Church in particular. Although this influence is waning in the western world, it still has considerable influence in some cultures. For example, in the Western Cape province in Africa, girls of the isi-Xhosa speaking people, abstain from sexual intercourse before marriage because they believe their virginity, or 'purity', will lead to a stable and happy marriage.