Zodiaque
In short
The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that follows the apparent path of the Sun throughout the year. It is divided into twelve equal sections known as signs.
In plain words
Imagine the Sun moving in a big circle around the Earth every year. The zodiac is the specific strip of space that this circle passes through. It contains the Moon and many bright planets.
A simple example
As the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun appears to move through different signs, such as Aries or Leo, depending on the month.
Why it matters
It helps astronomers track the movement of celestial bodies. Historically, it has also been used in astrology to study human character and destiny.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse the zodiac signs with the individual constellations, which are much larger and differently shaped groups of stars.