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hidden meaning? The former supposition is altogether untenable for two reasons, viz.:—

I. The Hindoos were acquainted with the precession of equinoxes as may be easily seen from their works on Astronomy and from the almanacs published by Hindu astronomers. Consequently they were fully aware of the fact that the constellations in the various Zodiacal divisions were not fixed. They could not, therefore, have assigned particular shapes to these shifting groups of fixed stars with reference to the divisions of the Zodiac. But the names indicating the Zodiacal signs have been allowed to remain unaltered. It is to be inferred, therefore, that the names given to the various signs have no connection whatever with the configurations of the constellations included in them.

II. The names assigned to these signs by the ancient Sanskrit writers and their esoteric or literal meanings are as follows:—

The names of the signs.			The esoteric literal meanings.
1	Mésham	............	Ram or Aries.
2	Rishabham	............	Bull or Taurus.
3	Mithunam	............	Twins or Gemini (male and female).
4	Karkátakam	............	Cancer or Crab.
5	Simham	............	Lion or Leo.
6	Kanya	............	Virgo*[1] or Virgin.
7	Tula	............	Libra or Balance.
8	Vrischikam	............	Scorpion.
9	Dhanus	............	Sagittarius or Archer.
10	Makaram	............	Capricornns or Crocodile.
11	Kumbham	............	Aquarias or Waterbearer.
12	Meenam	............	Pisces or Fish.

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1. * Virgo-Scorpio, when none but the initiates knew there were 12 signs. Virgo-Scorpio was then followed (for the profane) by Sagittarius. At the middle or junction-point where now stands Libra and at the sign now called Virgo, two mystical signs were inserted which remained unintelligible to the profane.—Ed. Theos.