Pisces Zodiac Sign Personality Traits and Characteristics

Were you born between February 19 and March 20? If yes, congratulations — you’re a watery Pisces! Learning more about the Pisces zodiac sign will help you navigate the world and your place in it. While Pisces season is a ways off, it’s never the wrong time to learn more about this artistic and emotional water sign. Keep reading for the answer to every question you may have about Pisces. 

What is Pisces’ element?

Picture a Pisces: What comes to mind? If you’re envisioning a fish, you’re on the right track. The iconic symbol of Pisces — two curved lines connected by a horizontal bar — is said to represent two fish swimming in opposite directions, connected by a rope. The two-fish imagery doesn’t just represent the duality of Pisces personalities, though. It also provides insight into Pisces’ nature. Compassionate yet slippery, emotionally complex and shadowy, it’s easy to envision a Pisces at home in the mysterious depths of the ocean. Alongside Scorpio and Cancer, Pisces is a water sign. 

In the traditional Chinese interpretation of the Zodiac, water signs are the most “yin,” meaning they’re feminine, secretive, passive, and sentimental. Though water signs are known for their strong feelings and occasionally moody disposition, Pisces is unique among them. The Fish is typically empathetic and receptive to others, and these people are often lauded for their ability to interpret and intuit the needs of others. 

What are the most common Pisces personality traits?

Aside from empathy and adaptability, Pisces is known for being gentle, creative, emotional, and passive. But really understanding Pisces will require a bit more explanation (and exploration).

Creativity

One of the hallmarks of Pisces is their creative nature. Pisces are dreamers with an imagination as deep and wide as the ocean, and they often feel unfulfilled if they’re not able to express this imagination through a creative outlet. Consider, for example, the Pisces in your life. Chances are good that they’re an artist of some sort, whether they express themselves through painting, drawing, music, writing, or any other form of creative expression. Many famous artists were or are Pisces: Renoir, Michelangelo, Rihanna, and Dr. Seuss were all born under a Pisces sun. 

If you’re a Pisces looking for a new hobby or interest to spice up your life, consider trying an artistic endeavor. Perhaps you were once into watercolor painting, but when you got busy with kids and work, you struggled to find the time for your hobby. Don’t be afraid to pick up those paint brushes again. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano but never took yourself seriously enough to find a teacher and get started. Well, it’s not too late to start right now. Those born between February 19 and March 20 are likely to feel especially fulfilled by a new artistic pastime or passion project.

Creativity and an abundance of imagination also mean that Pisces is likely to spend a lot of time in their head, escaping to a fantasy land of imagined scenarios, memories, and daydreams. If you notice the Pisces you know frequently zoning out or drifting off, don’t take it personally – it’s just the price you pay for having a creative soul in your life. (And it’s another great reason for Pisces to develop their artistic side through a hobby: Having a creative outlet to focus their daydreams on helps imaginative water signs stay rooted in reality.) 

Empathetic

Just like fish, Pisces can swim in all directions, fitting in with many different types of people. This is thanks to their open and empathetic nature. Pisces is one of the most adaptable signs, and they are constantly opening their minds to new ideas and ways of being. Most of the time, this is a strength – being both receptive to change and receptive to others, there is no better shoulder to cry on than that of a Pisces. They offer emotional support that is rare and special, genuinely feeling what you’re feeling and holding your hand through difficult times. 

Conversely, ask a Pisces to define themselves and they’re likely to flounder. Pisces is ruled by Jupiter, an expansive planet and protector of abstract thought, so it’s no wonder they struggle to narrow down their interests and identity. Being so adaptable and open to the world means that these water signs often find it difficult to hone in on their identity, tending instead to drown in the emotions and desires of others. This sense of adaptability and empathy can be overwhelming and may contribute to a feeling of being lost. 

If you’re a Pisces and you find yourself experiencing this, try implementing a reflective or calming practice into your daily routine. For instance, you might start your day with ten minutes of meditation or try journaling at night before bed. Taking just a few minutes to be still with yourself and reflect on your feelings can add a little zen to your life. 

Generous

Along with being extremely understanding and imaginative, Pisces is often known for being generous to a fault. (And you can’t exactly blame them — it’s hard to be so attuned to the needs and desires of others and not want to help them out wherever possible.) Whether it’s their time, energy, or financial resources, Pisces love putting others’ needs above their own, even if it’s to their detriment. While this trait marks them as the compassionate and giving individuals they are, it can also indicate a lack of boundaries set for Pisces friends and lovers. 

For instance, if you’re a Pisces and your best friend just lost someone dear to her, you’d probably be willing to drop anything and everything to help her get through her hard time, even at the cost of your own self-care. Being generous is an admirable trait — just so long as you’re also generous with yourself.

Wise 

Whether due to their deep well of empathy for others or the amount of time they spend in their own heads, Pisceans often have a lot of wisdom to dispense. The next time you find yourself in a conflict that you don’t know how to resolve, ask your closest Pisces for some advice, and see for yourself the valuable insight they provide. Not only is Pisces a good shoulder to cry on, they also have the best listening ear, which is likely why they’re so skilled at giving advice. They listen to what you have to say then provide insightful thoughts and suggestions. 

Going to one of these natural healers to work out your thoughts on a conflict is a great option – just keep in mind that they may become overly invested in how things work out. Pisces’ sensitive side enables their wisdom: They’re able to think about the situation from a discerning emotional standpoint and provide advice that is both supportive and compassionate. 

Moody

Pisces feel things deeply, so it makes sense that they also often struggle with moodiness. Pisces people have a depth of emotion that can often feel unknowable, even to themselves. It can be easy for them to get stuck in a funk or come off as overly emotional to people who aren’t accustomed to their mood swings and complex feelings. Think of your friend who starts crying ten minutes into an emotional movie or one minute into an argument. Chances are, she’s a Pisces. It can also be difficult for Pisces to get themselves out of a funk or bad mood once they’ve gotten into it. Like all water signs, they feel their emotions with a force that can make it hard to let go of hurt or resentment. Of all the zodiac signs, Pisces is one of the most likely to hold a grudge. 

Which signs are Pisces compatible with?

While there’s more to romantic compatibility than just your sun sign (that’s a question for your entire birth chart), here’s a ranking of Pisces compatibility with the rest of the Zodiac from best to worst:

• Pisces
• Virgo
• Leo
• Capricorn
• Libra
• Sagittarius
• Scorpio
• Aries
• Aquarius
• Cancer
• Gemini
• Taurus

Worried you aren’t a love match with this final sign of the Zodiac? Never fear! Take a look at your partner’s Venus sign — and maybe their Mercury, too — to better understand if your romance is written in the stars. That said, everything from your rising sign to your Neptune influences whether a match is meant to be … and if your loved ones’ charts aren’t meshing with yours, remember there’s nothing more beautiful than a star-crossed love.

Look To the Stars

The important thing to remember about astrology is that, in general, the signs are ruled by balance. In other words, every difficult Pisces trait is balanced by something positive – along with moodiness comes creativity and artistic expression; along with sensitivity comes empathy and compassion. Like the two fish swimming in opposite directions, Pisces find themselves eternally swimming in both directions, seeking balance between their vivid inner worlds and the pull of others’ emotions.