In life, someone has to be the leader. And, for an Aries, it’s pretty much a given that person is you, duh. After all, you’re the first sign of the Zodiac, so you’re kinda always leading the charge here.

Of course, there are plenty of other aspects of your birth chart beyond your Sun sign that make up your overall personality. Factors like your Moon sign and your Saturn return also play a key role. That said, being a dyed-in-the-wool ram (see what I did there?) has a lot of sway in making up who you ~actually~ are.

If you're an Aries sign, meaning you were born between March 21 and April 19, you tend to be passionate, innovative, and charismatic, says professional astrologer Lauren Ash. In fact, a typical Aries is “a natural born leader in life” who likes to take charge both in love and in business.

Meet the Experts:
Lauren Ash is a writer and resident astrologer for Sanctuary Astrology and USA Today.

Donna Page is a certified astrologer based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sure, you probably have some idea of what it means to be an Aries from reading your monthly horoscope or following astrology meme accounts on Instagram (oh... just me?), but have you ever wondered why you treat everything as a competition and will stop at nothing until you reach your goals?

With that said, here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about being an Aries, plus how these personality traits impact your life.

Aries Sign Personality Traits

1. You’re kinda impulsive.

Not in a bad way, of course. It's more of an Ariana Grande-style "I see it, I like it, I want it, I bought it" sorta thing, says Page. See a gorgeous pair of shoes while scrolling through IG? You’ll do everything in your power to score them ASAP. After all, you can decide if you wanna keep them later—that’s what return policies are for.

2. Taking risks isn't a risk for you.

That daredevil attitude applies to life—and to love, notes Page. Your S.O. wants you both to up and move across the country? You’re down. You’re also first in line for a thrill, whether that's bungee jumping or tasting weird, new foods. (If those two aren't already on your bucket list, add 'em ASAP.)

3. "Born leader" might as well be your middle name.

Hey, someone’s gotta do it, why not you? You’re the one everyone looks at to spearhead new projects at work, rock a new hairstyle before anyone else, and step in when sh*t needs to get done. Not too shabby, eh?

Btw, you're in good company with these 10 fierce AF Aries celebs:

preview for 10 Fierce AF Celebs who are Aries

4. Drama? You don't know her.

Seriously, take that busybody business elsewhere because you’ve got no time for it. According to Page, when people in your orbit start smack-talking, you have zero issues letting them know you’re not interested. (Xoxo, Anti-Gossip Girl)

5. You call it like you see it.

Some people get nervous speaking their mind. But you? Nuh-unh. If you’re pissed off, you’ll let people know—and you actually feel better getting that kind of stuff off your chest, says Page. After all, isn't honesty the best policy?

6. To put it nicely, you’re, uh, passionate.

ICYDK, Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and initiation, so when you decide you want to pursue something—whether in love, friendship, or career—you go for it and won’t stop until you get it. Quitting is not a part of your M.O. It also doesn’t hurt that you love a challenge.

7. You aren’t afraid to shake things up.

You’re an out-of-the-box thinker and always bring creative ideas to the table. Not only are you the first person to volunteer to present your project at school or work, but you also aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo a bit and introduce new ways of thinking. Your fearless independence and dedication to doing things your own way will take you far. Plus, it gives you an edge towards reaching your goals.

8. You liven up any room you’re in.

Not only are you one to watch in the boardroom, you’re also charismatic outside of the office. You have a knack for socializing and making friends thanks to your larger-than-life personality. Whether at an intimate gathering with friends or a cocktail party full of strangers, you always come prepared with hilarious stories and witty banter.

Aries Sign Compatibility

Fiery, passionate, and protective, Aries needs a partner who can keep up with their fast-paced lifestyle and also challenge them along the way, explains Ash. Yes, they might like to take charge in a relationship, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be wooed.

“Passion and romance are huge factors for a successful relationship with an Aries,” Ash says, noting that this sign gravitates towards open and expressive partners who aren’t afraid to share their feelings.

An ideal partner for Aries is someone who can woo them romantically and be their number one cheerleader as they chase their dreams. In return, Aries will be a passionate, sweet, and deeply loyal lover who will spoil their S.O. rotten, says Ash.

For this reason, Aries signs tend to pair best with fellow fire signs Leo and Sagittarius as well as air signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. ‘Cause, ya know, air fuels fire.

Aries Modality Category

The 12 signs of the Zodiac are divided into three different modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable, which represent different times of the seasons and determine the unique ways in which each group operates.

Aries is a cardinal sign, and each cardinal sign kick off a new season, making them the changemakers and natural born leaders of the Zodiac. Like its fellow cardinal signs Cancer, Capricorn, and Libra, Aries are trendsetters and tastemakers, says Ash. “They’re always on the cutting edge of innovation, which is why they tend to find themselves easily rising to the top of their preferred field,” Ash adds.

Cardinal signs are also not afraid of change, so they often have a fearless approach to tackling life. “When a cardinal sign sets their mind to accomplishing something, there’s very little that can pull them off their path,” Ash says.

Aries Natural Element Sign

If you guessed that Aries was a fire sign, then you’d be correct. As a fire sign, the ram is bold and brash and always seeking stimulation and adventure, says Ash.

Fire signs—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—are driven by their passions and always ready to take on any challenge that comes their way, explains Ash. As the youngest sign of the Zodiac, Aries might be a bit more impulsive and quick to act on their emotions than its fellow fire signs; however, their fearless ambition is also one of their greatest strengths, she adds.

Aries In The Workplace

You’ll immediately know if one of your coworkers is in Aries thanks to their gregarious and outgoing personality, says Ash. These go-getters are always the first ones in the office, and when it comes to brainstorming, they’re never short on energy or ideas.

While Aries can be very competitive with their colleagues and will go above and beyond to secure the promotion or award they want, they’re also great team players, Ash notes. Despite all their glory-seeking and charm, they “will always offer a helping hand to a teammate.”

If you have an Aries as a boss, you’ll never have to guess what they’re thinking as they’re often very direct communicators, says Ash. They aren’t afraid of delivering hard news if it means the work will be better for it. They will push you and possibly even aggravate you to no end at times, but they do it not out of malice, but rather because they know that you’re capable of greatness, explains Ash.

Aries In Relationships

When it comes to dating, Aries signs love the chase. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the ram to pursue someone who seems uninterested at first or vie for someone they deem out of their league. For them, “the challenge of winning over the person of their dreams is just as thrilling as the feeling of falling in love itself,” explains Ash.

Once in a relationship or in love, Aries is a very prideful and affectionate lover. They aren’t afraid to put their hearts on the line. They enjoy grand romantic gestures and will go out of their way to impress their partner…as long as they feel that their efforts will be returned, says Ash. But beware, similar to a water sign, if Aries feels like their romantic feats aren’t being reciprocated or appreciated, they may feel slighted and give their S.O. the cold shoulder.

Your Zodiac Sign Compatibility In Romantic Relationships, Explained
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Aries In The Bedroom

Ruled by Mars, the planet of sex, Aries likes to put on a show in the boudoir. Plus, with that forceful planetary alignment, it’s no wonder they’re domineering both in and outside of the bedroom, says Ash.

You might worry that an impulsive sign like Aries might rush straight into getting hot and heavy, but you’d be wrong. They’re no stranger to foreplay and really like to take their time teasing their partner and warming them up before the main event, says Ash. When in-between the sheets with an Aries, expect lots of touching, squeezing, light biting, and maybe even some (consensual) hair pulling and spanking.

So here’s to Aries: the natural born leaders, risk takers, and movers and shakers of the Zodiac. You may be super intense and wildly competitive, yet you have a heart of gold and will fight to the death for those you love (uh, maybe literally).

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Headshot of Naydeline Mejia
Naydeline Mejia
Assistant Editor

Naydeline Mejia is an assistant editor at Women’s Health, where she covers sex, relationships, and lifestyle for WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She is a proud graduate of Baruch College and has more than two years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content. When she’s not writing, you can find her thrift-shopping, binge-watching whatever reality dating show is trending at the moment, and spending countless hours scrolling through Pinterest.

Headshot of Korin Miller
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.