# Cancer Zodiac Symbols: From the Crab to the Scarab

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2069097314975936858
- Source account: [@symbolstudies](https://x.com/symbolstudies)
- Source language: English
- Duration: 1:11
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab) Cancer is usually represented by a crab, but that hasn't always been the case, and still isn't in some parts of the world.

[0:05](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=5) It appears to me that there have been more interpretations for Cancer than perhaps any other sign in the zodiac.

[0:11](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=11) This may be due to the fact that it's the dimmest constellation in astrology.

[0:15](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=15) Look for it in the night sky, and you'll see how faint it is compared to the other signs.

[0:19](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=19) The most common substitutions for Cancer are the crawfish or crayfish, and the lobster, which have been used in a lot of older depictions of the sign.

[0:26](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=26) You'll notice that it's not uncommon to see a lobster in the Moon card, and as you know, Cancer is ruled by the Moon.

[0:33](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=33) Some cultures didn't see a crab, but instead a turtle, which I think is interesting because it's a water creature as well and has a prominent shell.

[0:40](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=40) Aside from the crab, my favorite interpretation of Cancer is probably the scarab beetle, which the ancient Egyptians used.

[0:47](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=47) In some esoteric tarot decks, you'll see a beetle on the Moon card because of this relationship.

[0:52](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=52) I find this correspondence fascinating, and I encourage you to look into it.

[0:56](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=56) I think it's interesting that all of these creatures retain the symbolism of the exoskeleton or shell, which is attributed to the Moon, water, transformation, creation, death, and the underworld.

[1:07](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/8IFGuSYmPbHv/en/cancer-zodiac-symbols-from-the-crab-to-the-scarab?t=67) As always, I'd love to know what you think.