Home

ascendants

Ascendant is a term used in two related fields—genealogy and astrology—with distinct meanings. In genealogy, ascendants are the ancestors from whom a person is descended. The ascendant line includes parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and other forebears traced upward in a family tree. This usage contrasts with descendants, who are the offspring and their descendants. Ascendants are often analyzed in pedigree charts to understand heredity, lineage, and cultural or familial origins.

In astrology, the ascendant, or rising sign, is the point on the eastern horizon that rises at

See also: rising sign, natal chart, genealogy, pedigree.

the
moment
of
birth,
determined
by
the
precise
time
and
place
of
birth.
It
is
one
of
the
essential
components
of
a
natal
chart
and
marks
the
beginning
of
the
first
house.
The
ascendant
describes
outward
personality,
appearance,
and
the
initial
way
a
person
presents
themselves
to
the
world,
shaping
first
impressions.
Unlike
the
Sun
or
Moon,
which
change
slowly,
the
ascendant
shifts
roughly
every
two
hours
as
the
zodiac
wheel
rotates.
The
ascendant
works
together
with
planetary
placements
to
color
an
individual's
temperament
and
life
themes;
it
is
especially
influential
in
social
perception
and
in
the
interpretation
of
chart
aspirations
and
behavior.