The zodiac system we know today has its roots in ancient Mesopotamia, where Babylonian astronomers first divided the ecliptic into 12 equal segments around 2000 BCE. This division was based on the apparent path of the Sun through the sky over the course of a year.

The Greeks later adopted this system and enriched it with their mythology, creating the stories and characteristics we associate with each sign today. The word "zodiac" itself comes from the Greek "zodiakos," meaning "circle of animals."

Throughout history, different cultures have developed their own zodiacal systems, including the Chinese zodiac with its 12-year cycle and the Vedic system used in Hindu astrology.