On this page: Virgo Personality Overview * All Things Associated with Virgo * Famous Virgos
Virgo Traits: active, adaptable, analytical, anxious, capable, cautious, clean, clever, conscientious, critical, detail-oriented, diplomatic, emotionally reserved, frugal, fussy, hardworking, health-conscious, helpful, humble, intellectual, introverted, logical, modest, patient, perfectionistic, practical, reliable, skeptical, talented
Virgo Personality Overview
Virgos Are Pragmatic, Detail-Oriented, and Talented
Virgos have a knack for detail work and sorting and organizing both information and objects. They tend to compartmentalize things in their own minds and to view the world through an analytical lens. As a result, they are naturally rational, practical, and adaptable. However, on the negative side, they have a tendency to fuss over little details and, in some cases, suffer from obsessions and compulsions.
Many Virgos have talents in one or more of the sciences, linguistics, or mathematics, and particular aptitudes for medicine, editing, nonfiction writing, or accounting. Typical Virgos are also good at crossword puzzles and other word-related pursuits, various forms of design, research, and practical crafts.
Virgos are perfectionists. Whatever they do, they need to do it thoroughly and get it exactly right or they feel dissatisfied.
Virgos are pragmatic with their money. They live frugally and don’t make frivolous expenditures, unless other elements in their natal zodiacs incline them to be more extravagant than is typical for this sign. Purchases are usually well thought out rather than made on a whim (Virgos deal with stress by working on things, making things, organizing things, analyzing things, or cleaning things rather than by shopping).
Typical Virgos keep their homes, their clothing, and their bodies exceptionally clean. Most shower or bathe and wash their hands more frequently than other people. They usually take good care of their belongings and dress in comfortable, practical clothing rather than flashy outfits (most Virgos don’t like to draw attention to themselves).
The Typical Virgo Is Diplomatic, Careful, and Conscientious in Social Interactions
Common sense, modesty, and diplomacy enable Virgos to get along well with most people, though they like to spend time alone. Many even prefer the company of animals to that of people unless their ascendants are in more outgoing fire or air signs. Even atypically extroverted Virgos will usually hang back in social situations while they assess those around them because they don’t like to put themselves forward until they know what sort of people they’re dealing with.
Virgos are cautious in most of their endeavors. They like to examine all the pros and cons before making decisions and they are slow to trust because they don’t like to be vulnerable. They don’t fall in love easily and they are very choosy about their romantic partners and friends.
Virgos can be critical of others and even harder on themselves, particularly when it comes to productivity and reliability. Most can be counted on to keep their promises and fulfill their obligations, regardless of the effort required or mitigating circumstances, and they cannot tolerate unreliable people.
Many Virgos Are Prone to Excessive Worrying
Virgos may suffer from anxiety disorders or depression due to their perfectionism and their tendency to agonize over things. They are prone to worrying, and they can develop hypochondria or a germ phobia as a result. However, most show common sense in their health-related behaviors, choosing (mostly) healthy foods and getting regular exercise.
Virgos have difficulty relaxing because they feel lazy if they’re not doing something worthwhile at all times, even though they tend to achieve far more than most people over the course of any given day.
Virgos Are Cool Under Pressure, Hardworking, and Motivated to Help Others
Virgos are very cool under pressure (at least overtly), which makes them great people to have around in a crisis. They are willing and able to take on difficult jobs and they have a lot of endurance. Moreover, in even the most traumatic circumstances they can appear calm, cool, and collected. Although Virgos are often quite anxious or self-conscious, they maintain good poker faces and have the will power to perform under stress. Oddly enough, they tend to be better at dealing with major life challenges and hardships than minor daily irritations and setbacks.
Typical Virgos have a strong desire to serve a good cause, and when they find one they feel passionate about, they can labor intensively for it, even when rewards are minimal to nonexistent. This sign is suited to charity or volunteer work, and to medical, caretaking, and rehabilitative jobs.
Virgos need to be needed, and they have a talent for healing the sick and providing practical advice and assistance. Their advice is usually worth following because it is based on a thoughtful analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of a potential course of action rather than a knee-jerk emotional reaction.
Virgos Tend to Be Intellectually Curious But Emotionally Reserved
Typical Virgos are drawn to people by intellectual curiosity rather than shallow physical attraction or passion. Because they need intellectual stimulation, they will quickly grow bored in the company of those who make small talk rather than speaking of serious, important things. They are attracted by brilliant minds rather than shallow charm and slick banter.
Emotional detachment and repression of feelings usually keeps fights and destructive impulses to a minimum with this sign (unless the Virgo has a more passionate moon or rising sign). However, this impressive self-control and tendency to think rather than feel things out can make Virgos appear cold, and this perception is exacerbated Virgo’s ability to walk away from relationships suddenly without looking back.
Because they tend not to show emotion or express their feelings openly, when Virgos are unhappy in a situation, their partners may not know until it’s too late. Virgos disentangle from people relatively easily, making the decision to go based on rationality and logic rather than emotion.
Most Virgos Are Active and Health Conscious
Virgos are health conscious and most follow up-to-date research on diet, nutrition, supplements, and complementary medicine. They are inclined to exercise even if they don’t enjoy it because they have plenty of willpower, so typical Virgos maintain a higher-than-average level of fitness.
Many Virgos are fussy about food. Food sensitivities and aversions often prevent them from eating as much junk food as those of other signs, unless other elements in their natal zodiacs cause them to be more easy going and self-indulgent than is typical for this sign.
The Atypical Virgo
The sun sign isn’t the only element that influences personality. Aspects and planetary placements, particularly the moon sign and rising sign (ascendant), are also important. For example, a Virgo with Sagittarius rising will be more laid back, extroverted, and careless, and with Leo rising, a Virgo will be less cautious and sensible and more optimistic and romantic. Taurus rising will enhance the pragmatic, down-to-earth side of Virgo, while an Aquarius ascendant brings out the intellectual, experimental side at the expense of practicality.
There are many websites that offer free chart calculation to determine other planetary placements and aspects. Learning these other planetary placements is recommended, as it provides a more comprehensive personality profile.
All Things Associated with Virgo
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Symbol: the virgin
Element: earth
Quality: mutable
Metal: mercury
Gemstones: malachite, aventurine, sardonyx, peridot (August), sapphire (September)
Associated Parts of the Body: intestines, nervous system
Number: 5
Places Associated with Virgo: Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Crete, West Indies, Paris, Boston, Jerusalem, Reading, Heidelberg, Strasbourg
Animals: crane, stork, fox, chub fish, rainbow salmon, small domestic pets
Trees: hazel, nut bearing trees
Plants and Herbs: azalea, valerian, fennel, lily of the valley, myrtle, vine, sage, marjoram, savory, balm, caraway, fenugreek, morning glory
Foods: carrot, beet, endive, hazel nuts
Colors: navy blue, forest green, earthy browns and grays, beige, tan, khaki
Other Virgo Associations: pets, numbers, books (especially reference books), practical clothing, collections of small items, sewing supplies, mathematics, accounting, vitamins, herbs, writing tools, word processing tools, stationary supplies, logic, medicine, hospitals, biology, microscopes, anatomy, statistics, education, languages, craft models, health, hygiene, nutrition, public institutions, civil service, charity work, nursing, crossword puzzles, labour organizations, the intellect, analysis, public service
Famous Virgos
- Adam Sandler
- Adam West
- Agatha Christie
- Alan Ladd
- Amy Poehler
- Amy Winehouse
- Anne Bancroft
- Anne of Cleves
- Anthony Weiner
- Arnold Palmer
- Arthur Godfrey
- B.B. King
- Bashar Al-Assad
- Ben Carson
- Bernie Sanders
- Beyonce Knowles
- Bill Murray
- Bill O’Reilly
- Billie Piper
- Billy Ray Cyrus
- Blake Lively
- Bob Newhart
- Bret Harte
- Brian Depalma
- Buddy Hackett
- Buddy Holly
- Cameron Diaz
- Carlo Gambino
- Charlie Sheen
- Chris Hadfield
- Chris Pine
- Chris Tucker
- Christopher Isherwood
- Claudette Colbert
- Claudia Schiffer
- Colin Firth
- Colonel Sanders
- Conrad Black
- Conway Twitty
- Corbin Bernsen
- Craig Claiborne
- H. Lawrence
- Damon Wayans
- Dave Chappelle
- David Arquette
- David Copperfield
- Dmitry Medvedev
- Phil McGraw
- Ed Begley Junior
- Ed Gein
- Elizabeth I of England
- Elliot Gould
- Faith Hill
- Ferdinand Marcos
- Frankie Avalon
- Freddie Mercury
- Geert Wilders
- Gene Kelly
- Gene Simmons
- George R.R. Martin
- Gloria Estefan
- Grandma Moses
- Greta Garbo
- Guy Ritchie
- G. Wells
- Hans Zimmer
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Hugh Grant
- Idris Elba
- Ingrid Bergman
- Ivan Pavlov
- Ivan the Terrible
- Jack Black
- Jackie Cooper
- Jacqueline Bisset
- Jada Pinkett Smith
- Jeff Foxworthy
- Jennifer Hudson
- Jennifer Tilly
- Jeremy Irons
- Jesse James
- Jessica Mitford
- Jimmy Connors
- Jimmy Fallon
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- John Locke
- John McCain
- Joseph Kony
- Keanu Reaves
- Keith Moon
- Ken Kesey
- Kim Davis
- Kobe Bryant
- Lance Armstrong
- Larry Hagman
- Laura Secord
- Lauren Bacall
- Lea Michele
- Leann Rimes
- Leo Tolstoy
- Leonard Bernstein
- Leslie Jones
- Liam Payne
- Lily Tomlin
- Louis CK
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Marco Polo
- Margaret Sanger
- Mark Harmon
- Martin Freeman
- Mary Shelley
- Maurice Chevalier
- Melissa McCarthy
- Michael Buble
- Michael Jackson
- Michael Keaton
- Mike Huckabee
- Moby
- Molly Shannon
- Mother Teresa
- Neil Peart
- Niall Horan
- Nick Jonas
- Nicole Richie
- Oliver Stone
- Patsy Cline
- Paulo Coelho
- Pink
- Pippa Middleton
- Prince Harry
- Queen Elizabeth I
- Queen Noor of Jordan
- Queen Rania of Jordan
- Quvenzhane Wallis
- Rachael Ray
- Racquel Welch
- Raymond Massey
- Regis Philbin
- Richard Gere
- Ricki Lake
- River Phoenix
- Roald Dahl
- Robert Blake
- Robin Leach
- Rocky Marciano
- Ronaldo
- Rose McGowan
- Rosie Perez
- Salma Hayek
- Samuel Johnson
- Sean Connery
- Shania Twain
- Shaun White
- Sid Caesar
- Sophia Loren
- Stephen King
- Taylor Caldwell
- Temple Grandin
- Theodore Dreiser
- Tim Burton
- Tom Hardy
- Tommy Lee Jones
- Twiggy
- Tyler Perry
- Upton Sinclair
- Warren Buffet
- Yasser Arafat
Learn More
Read about other sun signs: Aries * Taurus * Gemini * Cancer * Leo * Libra * Scorpio * Sagittarius * Capricorn * Aquarius * Pisces
Read about moon signs: Aries Moon * Taurus Moon * Gemini Moon * Cancer Moon * Leo Moon * Virgo Moon * Libra Moon * Scorpio Moon * Sagittarius Moon * Capricorn Moon * Aquarius Moon * Pisces Moon
Learn more about astrology: Astrology FAQ
Virgo image courtesy of Graphics Mouse, www.freedigitalphotos.net.