Have you ever thought about which punctuation mark you are based on your zodiac sign? If you answered no, you’re probably in the majority. However, I’m sure you’re now thinking about it, so you’re in for quite the treat! Zodiac signs rule the stars, and punctuation marks rule our writing — so why not combine the two? Buckle up for the night department’s picks on which zodiac sign aligns with which punctuation mark. 

Aries (March 21-April 19)

You’re up first, Aries. As the baby of the zodiac, you guys are known for your ambitious and often childlike nature. However, as the cardinal fire sign, you’re also known for being hotheaded, competitive and energetic, all of which contribute to your fiery personality. But I know you guys like to keep things simple and straight to the point, so I will, too.

Given your passion and aggression — I mean, your symbol is the ram, after all — I’m going to have to give you the exclamation point. Just like the exclamation point, you’re simple and blunt, and you make a bold statement!

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Taurus, you’re known to be grounded, practical and realistic, which helps you to stay committed and loyal to your projects, whether it’s to your work or your relationships. Makes sense — you’re the fixed earth sign. However, this can also be your downfall, seeing that you can often become stubborn and possessive of the things you commit yourself to.

Given these qualities, I assign you the semicolon. The mark establishes a relationship between closely related independent clauses. Like you, it is very reliable and avoids complications (such as comma splices). Semicolons can also be a bit tedious, though, as they can be used in complex lists. I know, it can be hard to break up your thoughts since you’re so stubborn; but seriously, just use a comma.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Moving on to you, Gemini. As the mutable air sign, you’re known for your intellect and sociability. However, you can also be notorious for your impulsivity and tendency to be two-faced. After all, your symbol is the twin. 

Considering your mirroring and adaptability, it’s only fitting that you get the parentheses. This punctuation mark inherently requires mirroring and can be moved around a sentence, just as Geminis can (usually) mold their personalities to fit every situation. 

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

I’m going to put it straight: You’re sensitive. You’re very in touch with your feelings but also secretive about them, which often makes things complicated. You care a lot about the people closest to you, but sometimes, you can be controlling of them.

Therefore, you get the comma. With its many uses in the English language, from listing items to incorporating adverbial clauses, the comma is a punctuation mark you can always rely on. However, because it’s so friendly, it can often be misused, causing complications such as comma splices and the infamous Oxford comma debate.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

As a fire sign and the embodiment of the lion, you are fiery, passionate and self-confident. Your personality shines in any space you’re in. But you also have a flair for the dramatic, and you tend to express yourself in very assertive ways.

You’ve earned the em dash as the center of attention. Everyone loves the em dash — it’s versatile and creates emphasis on the important things of a sentence. But like a Leo, it can sometimes be too much.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) 

Ah, Virgo. As a mutable earth sign, you’re known for your practicality and work ethic. You’re loyal and reliable, so you know you can always be counted on. However, you’re also known for your perfectionism and neuroses, and you can be extremely judgmental. 

With all your dependability, I’m going to have to give you guys the colon. After all, we can always count on you for lists or to separate two independent clauses. But at the same time, I’m never quite sure when to capitalize after one: That really ties into the judgmental traits of Virgos.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) 

OK, Libras. As the cardinal air sign ruled by Venus, you guys are known for your beauty, symmetry and appreciation of the finer things in life. You’re natural mediators, but sometimes, you can be a bit vain and indecisive.

Still, you like to keep everything nice and balanced, which is why I’m giving you guys the hyphen. Like a hyphen, you make things connected, increase readability and maintain symmetry — just as a Libra should. 

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) 

Onto the most emo of the signs: Scorpio. Even though many people mistake this fixed sign for a fire element due to its seductive nature, it’s actually a water sign full of emotional turmoil. You guys are fiercely loyal and often possessive — you just know how to hide behind your scorpion stinger. 

Because of your mysterious and secretive nature, it’s only fitting that I give you guys the ellipsis. After all, when you’re involved with a Scorpio, there’s always a lot left unsaid. …

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

As a Sagittarius, you are free-spirited and enthusiastic. Plus, you’re a natural conversationalist and one of the funniest zodiacs, even though your humor often stems from sarcastic jokes and rude comebacks.

With your talkative nature, it’s natural that you get quotation marks. After all, your voice fills up quiet spaces rather easily, whether it’s a short and blunt remark or an overly expansive elaboration. Plus, in conversations, you probably create air quotes with your fingers to really show that you’re being sarcastic — as if we couldn’t tell already.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Not only is your constellation the horned goat, but you are literally quite a GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Ambitious and responsible, you can complete any task as long as you put your mind to it. But because you are so serious and disciplined, you might come off as boring.

Your stoic nature has earned you the period. After all, being the workaholic you are, you love seeing things to completion. It’s just like how a period completes a sentence.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Ah yes, Aquarius, the “I’m not like other girls” zodiac. This fixed air sign is incredibly unique and quirky but also notorious for being emotionally reserved and aloof.

Given your artistic, often nontraditional, ways of approaching life, I’m going to have to give you guys the question mark. After all, you make a bold statement, but we all can’t help but be confused by you all from time to time (especially considering that it isn’t a water sign — seriously, why?).

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 19) 

At last, Pisces. You’re known as the most imaginative of the signs. You tend to have your head in the clouds, which means that you can sometimes be easily impressionable.

With this in mind, you get the apostrophe. Used to show possession and form contractions, apostrophes are creative in that they make the English language more concise. However, they are extremely fragile — one wrong placement, and you’re left wondering whether a possession is singular or plural.

Now that you know which zodiac sign fits each punctuation mark, I’m sure you’re exceptionally enlightened. Whether it be our universe or our writing, there’s always something to govern our decisions. We at the night department hope we’ve helped you with making them.