General characteristics of the Pisces zodiac

Pisces is the twelfth and last sign of the zodiac calendar. It is represented by a pair of fish and ruled by the planet Neptune (as well as Jupiter). Like Scorpio and Cancer, Pisces is a water sign; however, Pisces is known to be generally more relaxed and pleasant than its other water counterparts. All water signs, however, are known to have strong feelings.

Pisces personalities are known to be one of the most empathetic of the zodiac signs, and will go out of their way to make sure that the people around them are happy. They are also artistic and use their vivid imagination to think of ideas that many others would not.

These kind souls can also be moody when things don't go their way, and their generous nature makes them easily taken advantage of by less selfless types. Pisces may even shut down emotionally if they have been hurt too often. In general, however, Pisces are compassionate, thoughtful, and well attuned to their emotions and the emotions of those around them.

Some famous Pisces include Justin Bieber, Elizabeth Taylor, George Harrison and Jack Kerouac.

What are the characteristics of a Pisces personality? Like all signs, their personality is complex. Pisces are known for being incredibly creative and empathetic, but they can also suffer from being overly emotional, impressionable, and closed.

What makes a Pisces so great? Lots of things! Below are the three best characteristics of a Pisces.

✓ Creative

Pisces are known as the most artistic of all the zodiac signs, and often express their creativity in everyday life. They have a strong imagination, and their reputation as dreamers can help them when they have hobbies such as art, music and writing. They are not as constrained by logic as many other signs, and their openness to new ideas allows them to explore creative avenues that others may overlook or dismiss as impractical.

✓ Empathetic

If you need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear, there is no one better than a Pisces. Pisces are incredibly empathetic and attuned to the emotions of others. If they see someone crying, they will immediately want to know how they can help, and may even start crying out of sympathy themselves.

✓ Generous

Pisces is extremely generous and known for putting the needs of others before their own. It is important to them that the people they care about are happy, so they will go out of their way to do something kind or help them with a problem they are having, even if it is sometimes at the expense of their own happiness.

Despite their abundant positive qualities, Pisces do have flaws. Here are three of the most common negative traits of Pisces.

✗ Too emotional

Although being so in tune with their emotions can help Pisces relate to others, their emotions can sometimes get the better of them, causing them to be overly emotional and even moody. It is not uncommon for a Pisces to start crying during an argument or to shut down completely. Also, once they get into a bad mood, it can take a long time for Pisces to get over whatever is bothering them and feel happy again. Like other water signs, Pisces can be known to hold grudges.

✗ Influential

Because Pisces are very idealistic and look for the best in others, they can often be overconfident and easily influenced. They are also natural dreamers and can be easily persuaded to pursue impractical goals or ideas, even when it is clear to others that they should take a more logical path. If a more assertive person suggests something, a Pisces will often go along with it, both because they are very optimistic and because they want to keep the peace by being agreeable.

✗Closed

Although Pisces go out of their way to care for people, they often find it difficult to accept help from others. This is partly because they often feel misunderstood or that people don't take the time to understand them the way they take the time to understand others. Also, because Pisces are so trusting and generous, they can be taken advantage of, and it can be very difficult for them to overcome being treated badly. If they are hurt often enough, Pisces may begin to shut down as a method of self-protection. Pisces feelings are already strong enough, and do not need to be played upon by people who do not have their best interests at heart.

You can read more about these points here: The worst of the Pisces personality

What does it feel like to meet a Pisces? Pisces are known to be loyal and deeply caring regardless of their relationship with the other person. This is how Pisces interact in romantic relationships, among family and friends, and at work.

You can read more about this here: The fidelity of the Pisces man or The fidelity of the Pisces woman.

While Pisces are thought to be most romantically compatible with Capricorn, Cancer, Leo and Taurus (and least compatible with Gemini and Sagittarius), they can make a relationship work with almost anyone they care about.

Pisces fall fast and hard, and from the beginning of a relationship they are considerate and dedicated partners. They prefer serious relationships and, when they meet the right person, they will want to make things "official" from the start. Pisces are true romantics and will go out of their way to think of surprises and gifts to show how much they care. Because they are so in tune with the emotions of others, Pisces are incredibly affectionate partners and will do practically anything to make sure the person they love feels cared for and supported.

While Pisces would never outwardly expect the same effort in return from their partner, they can feel hurt and rejected if they feel neglected over time. Because they are so emotional, Pisces can also be difficult to have strong arguments with, because they can be easily overwhelmed by their emotions and may hold on to perceived hurts for a long time. Their devotion and need to please their partner can also seem like a necessity at times and cause more independent types to feel smothered.

You can read more about the different Pisces compatibilities here: Compatibilities of Pisces with other signs

Pisces are highly valued by their friends and family. They are very family-oriented, and will make family a priority throughout their lives. They love family gatherings where many members get together and enjoy each other's company.

Pisces are also devoted friends, and with their natural listening skills and empathy, they often act as a group "therapist" and offer help to any friend in need. However, due to their desire to go with the flow and their natural people-pleasing tendencies, the Pisces personality can often have difficulty asserting what they want in friendships, and may find their caring nature taken advantage of by people who see them as pushovers.

You can read more about this here: What Pisces is like as a family

With their idealistic and impressionable personalities, a Pisces personality may at first appear not to excel at work. And it is true that they can sometimes get caught up in their own imaginations, pursuing wild ideas rather than sitting down to focus on the more mundane tasks that need to be completed. Jobs that require strong logical skills and/or a lot of repetition are typically not ones in which Pisces will thrive.

However, in the right circumstances, Pisces' natural creative abilities and their ability to work with others can allow them to shine at work. They are often popular co-workers because of their easy-going nature and their ability to get along with everyone.

Pisces also tend to do well when they work for themselves because they have more freedom over how they carry out their work and can give their creativity free rein.

Good jobs for Pisces are those that involve caring for others and/or focus on their creativity. Examples include:

- Nurse

- Writer

- Photographer

- Physiotherapist

- Graphic Designer

You can read more about this here: What Pisces is like at work

If you are a Pisces, you will first have to find out which of the typical Pisces characteristics apply to you. No one has all the traits of their sign, so if you don't have one or more of the above, you don't have to worry about it.

In general, however, one of the biggest pieces of advice for Pisces is not to let people take advantage of you. You are naturally a caring person who will do almost anything for those close to you and, unfortunately, some people will try to take too much from you. You may also end up neglecting your own needs while trying to make others happy. When you are about to do something kind for someone, pause and ask yourself if this is good for you too. Remember that your needs are important too.

Pausing is good advice in general for Pisces. Because you feel so many emotions, they can sometimes get the best of you, especially in charged situations such as during an argument or at the beginning of a relationship. Taking a step back and regaining control over how you feel can help you better handle intense moments and, once again, make sure you are making the best decisions for your happiness. Talking to signs known for their level-headedness, such as Capricorns and Librans, can help you feel confident that you are making the right decisions.

And be sure to use your strengths too! Positive Pisces traits include having great creativity and imagination, and being able to see problems and possibilities in a way that other signs cannot. Don't let these abilities suffer, but also make sure you remain practical when working towards your goals.

Pisces are one of the easiest signs to get along with because they are so willing to help others and go with the flow. Even if you have just met a Pisces, they will be more than happy to listen to anything you want to talk about and offer any advice or help they can. However, it's important to remember that Pisces can often feel that people they know don't return the favour, so remember to ask them about themselves too. They may be reluctant to open up at first, but their efforts will be deeply appreciated.

Also, don't be surprised to find that Pisces always listen to their hearts. They are a sign that is very in touch with their emotions, and are not afraid to express happiness or sadness when that is what they feel.

If you work with a Pisces, you can sometimes be frustrated by their far-fetched ideas or their preference for dreaming up solutions rather than taking small steps forward. However, when Pisces have someone to help ground them, they are often diligent and caring co-workers, doing their best to make sure the workplace runs smoothly.