What Are Fire Signs? Everything to Know About Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

Familiar with Fire signs? Read on for answers to your burning questions.

There are 12 signs that make up the zodiac wheel, all of which fall into four element categories: Earth, Air, Water and Fire.

“The elements are quintessential forms, each with their own qualities and meanings, and when they are united, they provide the substance of life,” PEOPLE’s resident astrologer Kyle Thomas explains. That’s why each zodiac sign “needs each other to survive.”

The three signs that correlate with the element Fire are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Although these three signs aren’t near each other on the zodiac wheel, they share many of the same characteristics. This is because of dualities.

In the zodiac, signs are split into two categories: active (Fire and Air) and passive (Water and Earth). Thomas says active elements “tend to be more extroverted, assertive and spontaneous,” while passive elements “tend to be more introverted and self-contained with greater inner resources of power and passion.”

Here’s everything to know about Fire signs, from their respective character traits to their compatibility with other zodiac signs.

What are Fire signs?

The astrological constellations of Aries (March 21-April 19), Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) and Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) are the three Fire signs in the zodiac. While these signs are not next to each other on the zodiac wheel, they share many similarities.

Thomas says Fire signs are known to be “extroverted, assertive and spontaneous” and they love to “burn and shine brightly” in their daily lives. He adds, “These signs tend to energize one another and are especially compatible.”

What are the characteristics of Fire signs?

“Fire signs tend to be passionate, courageous and impulsive,” Thomas says. “These people tend to inspire us to pursue adventure, take risks and express ourselves. They often have high levels of energy and enthusiasm.”

Thomas says Fire signs love to “embrace spontaneity” and “their emotions are fervent.” Oftentimes, they are “quick to love, to feel fury or to act,” he adds. However, because their energy is active, Thomas says “they can also change their minds quite quickly too.”

Those who are Fire signs are often destined to become performers, athletes, artists or creators. Thomas says we are generally “enchanted” by people with Fire energy because “they’re unafraid to step into the spotlight.”

Aries

Thomas says Aries possess “bold, pioneering and courageous” characteristics, as this sign is “the leader” of the 12 zodiacs. They are “daring, adventurous and unafraid to strike out into unknown territory where others would be unable to go.”

However, Thomas says Aries are “an eternal child at heart.” They are “energetic and aggressive,” filled with an “enthusiasm for life.” Despite their tendency to be “quick to anger,” Thomas says they are “just as eager to laugh and move on,” too.

Aries signs tend to be “ambitious, active and honest.” They’re also “eager to open themselves up to every one of life’s possibilities.” Their independent nature is why they enjoy sharing their “fiery personalities” with the world.

Aries’ power color? Red. Aries’ ruling planet? Mars. Aries’ symbol? Ram.

Leo

Leos possess “creative, enthusiastic and dramatic” characteristics, says Thomas, adding that they “love to live life to the fullest.” They tend to have “an innate confidence and radiance that gives them the ability to easily assert themselves and stand out from the crowd,” he says.

Furthermore, Thomas says Leos often “like to be recognized for everything they bring to the world.” Despite it sometimes coming off as prideful or arrogant, he says they are “extremely loyal, romantic and artistic.”

Above all, Thomas says Leos have “very big hearts” which explains why they can also be “generous to those whom they deem worthy of their affections.”

Leo’s power color? Gold and orange. Leo’s ruling planet? Sun. Leo’s symbol? Lion.

Sagittarius

Thomas says Sagittarius signs are “spontaneous and optimistic,” but “crave expansion and exploration above all.” He continues, “They refuse to be caged and hunger for everything that life has to offer them.”

Sagittarius signs “tend to be sojourners, seeking new ideas, relationships and experiences that will teach them more about themselves and the world,” Thomas notes. However, he says with “such an impulsive and restless nature,” they may find it is hard to dial in on one particular area.

Furthermore, Thomas says Sagittarians may “fear commitment or responsibility.” Despite that characteristic, he says this sign was “born to be free” possessing a “cheerful energy that often brings them a natural form of luck.”

Sagittarius’ power color? Purple and dark blue. Sagittarius’ ruling planet? Jupiter. Sagittarius’ symbol? The Archer.

What signs are Fire signs most compatible with?

Fire signs are most compatible with fellow Fire signs or Air signs. “This is because they are so extroverted and focused on their social lives and building their external worlds,” explains Thomas.

While Thomas details in-depth explanations of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius‘ love and sex compatibility on his website, read on for a quick overview below.

Aries compatibility

• Aries and Aquarius “are especially great friends,” says Thomas. “Even if it moves into romance, they still can support one another well.”
• Aries and Gemini “challenge each other to engage in intellectual journeys”
• Aries and Leo “bring tremendous passion, romance and adventure.”
• Aries and Libra “are a mirror match,” meaning they are “an ideal partnership because they balance each other well.”
• Aries and Sagittarius “are a fiery match, they empower one another to explore life.”

Leo compatibility

• Leo and Aquarius are a “wonderful union,” says Thomas. “They bring out one another’s innate star power.”
• Leo and Aries “bring tremendous passion, romance and adventure.”
• Leo and Gemini “are fantastic friends and can stimulate one another, especially socially.”
• Leo and Libra “are a magnificent couple, power couple status.”
• Leo and Sagittarius “ignite one another’s spontaneity and hunger for living life to the fullest.”

Sagittarius compatibility

• Sagittarius and Aries “are a fiery match,” says Thomas. “They empower one another to explore life.”
• Sagittarius and Gemini “energize one another to be as expressive, spontaneous and open-minded as possible.”
• Leo and Sagittarius “ignite one another’s spontaneity and hunger for living life to the fullest.”
• Sagittarius and Libra “are excellent friends, but can also push one another outside of their comfort zones.”
• Sagittarius and Aquarius “are wonderful collaborators and can surprise one another with how they also teach each other.”

What signs are Fire signs least compatible with?

Fire signs have “more challenges” with Earth and Water signs, says Thomas. However, even “challenging compatibility” can work out “depending on how people work as a team.”

Read on for Thomas’ explanations on which zodiac signs Fire signs are least compatible with.

Aries least compatible signs

• Aries and Scorpio “are like fatal attractions,” says Thomas. “They’ll instantly feel fire and chemistry but this can quickly escalate to a war.”
• Aries and Taurus “can work out if they find a rhythm that doesn’t involve ego.”
• Aries and Cancer “are extremely challenging, but can work if they respect one another’s needs — especially around domesticity.”
• Aries and Virgo “are a good team if they can find a united sense of productivity, but don’t fight over perfectionism.”
• Aries and Capricorn “are fantastic in business, but may find very different patterns in their personal lives.”
• Aries and Pisces “can initially feel magnetic, but will have very different ways of expressing themselves.”

Leo least compatible signs

• Leo and Pisces “have magic when it comes to desiring romance,” says Thomas, “but the way they express emotions will make this challenging in the long run.”
• Leo and Taurus “are a surprisingly successful union if they can each honor one another’s sense of authenticity.”
• Leo and Cancer “are a very challenging match, especially around how they express emotions and anger.”
• Leo and Virgo “can work if they are both open to collaboration, but this often leaves scorned bridges.”
• Leo and Scorpio “may have chemistry, but can end up in an ego-war.”
• Leo and Capricorn “are excellent in building business, but will need to focus on open communication.”

Sagittarius least compatible signs

• Sagittarius and Pisces “both like to live spontaneously,” says Thomas, “but the way they open to their feelings could leave this burnt to the ground.”
• Sagittarius and Taurus “are one of the most challenging matches in the zodiac, as they operate from very different perspectives on life.”
• Sagittarius and Cancer “will rarely see eye-to-eye and will feel dampened by one another’s actions.”
• Sagittarius and Virgo “can overlap if they work to build one another’s goals, but inevitably will find that they become bored by the rapport as time goes on.”
• Sagittarius and Scorpio “can feel a spark, but will find that one another feels controlled and disrespected eventually.”
• Sagittarius and Capricorn “operate from very different life visions, but can work if they respect boundaries.”

What celebrities are Fire signs?

There are plenty of celebrities who can call themselves Air signs. Well-known Aries include Jessica Chastain (March 21), Sarah Jessica Parker (March 25), Diana Ross (March 26) and Eddie Murphy (April 13).

Jennifer Lopez (July 24) is a Leo, sharing her sign with Kylie Jenner (Aug. 10), Barack Obama (Aug. 4), Jason Mamoa (Aug. 1) and Viola Davis (Aug. 11).

A-list Sagittarius signs include Brad Pitt (Dec. 18), Britney Spears (Dec. 2), Taylor Swift (Dec. 13).