Whether or not you believe that your Zodiac sign has any bearing on your everyday life and the most pivotal points in your life, you probably still know which sign you were born under, and what characteristics that supposedly roughly translates as. 

If you’ve ever wondered what the Maltese names for each Zodiac sign are, here’s a list courtesy of Il-Miklem, an online Maltese dictionary with particular emphasis on what they refer to as Malti Safi or Pure Maltese (i.e. words which don’t have their roots in other languages). 

1. Iż-Żir (Aquarius)

20th January – 18th February

Other (less pure) words which can be used are bomblu, ġarra, and kus.

2. Il-Ħut (Pisces)

19th February – 20th March

3. Il-Kibx (Aries)

21st March – 19th April

Because it’s way cooler than saying you’re a Muntun Zgħir.

4. It-Tawr (Taurus)

20th April – 20th May

5. It-Tewmin (Gemini)

21st May – 20th June

6. Il-Qabru (Cancer)

21st June – 22nd July

Sure, you could also say Granċ tal-ilma ħelu, but Qabru is way more badass. 

7. Id-Durbies (Leo)

23rd July – 22nd August

Yes, Iljun is the more popular Maltese word for lion, but come on; Durbies.  

8. L-Għodra (Virgo)

23rd August – 22nd September

This is actually an old Maltese word for a pure woman, which is why Virgo is literally a Mara Safja.

9. Il-Miżien (Libra)

23rd September – 22nd October

10. L-Għaqreb (Scorpio)

23rd October – 21st November

You’ve definitely heard of the word Skorpjun before, but Għaqreb is actually the pure Maltese word for this animal and its Zodiac sign.

11. Il-Qaws (Sagittarius)

22nd November – 21st December

12. Il-Wott (Capricorn)

22nd December – 19th January

Because let’s face it; you’re not going to impress your date if you say you’re a Bodbod.

Images from Elle.com

Il-Miklem is the brainchild of John Spiteri Gingell, who will soon be publishing his first book Ħal Maqtugħ u Kitbiet Oħra, a collection of 30 short stories and poems. 

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).