Lions are the kings and queens of the jungle. But what about the Zodiac? Leo is the fifth sign in the Zodiac, and those born during its season embody the fierceness of its lion symbol.

"Leo is ruled by the Sun," astrologer and author Lisa Stardust tells USA TODAY. "The archetype is a lion with their golden hair soaking up the sun with flowers all around them."

Leos tend to have fiery personalities and quick temperaments. Here's a guide to Leo's key traits, including their approach to relationships and career, as well as strengths and weaknesses.

Leo dates

Leo season spans from July 23 to August 22. 

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Leo personality, traits

Loyal, giving, confident and hard-working are just a few words that describe Leos, Stardust shares.

Leos are action-oriented and eager to sit down and make things happen. They are also natural-born leaders, often taking charge and pulling to the front of the pack.

Those born under the sign are meant to shine and enjoy being in the spotlight. As a result, they love receiving attention and adoration from others. If a Leo doesn't get the attention or affection they think they deserve, the sign will likely become dramatic, Stardust adds.

Leo is also a fixed sign, meaning it is averse to change.

Career 

Leos are good at taking direction thanks to their diligence. The catch is that the task must align with what they already think, says Stardust.

Because Leos usually take on the role of leader, they'll only work in groups if they're in charge. Once they find a group they like, Leos will often stick there. Stardust describes the sign as "very confident in the people that they work with," adding that they won't collaborate unless they consider others to be family. 

Leos are loyal in both the workplace and in their personal life. If they leave a job, they're likely to recruit others to move with them, Stardust says. They also prefer working with those they can rely on since reliability is a standard for fixed signs.

Leos tend to take on a lot and like to have their hands in many pots at once, Stardust adds.

Leo compatibility

Leos always take charge, even in relationships. "You have to let them take center stage," Stardust shares.

When it comes to choosing a romantic partner, a Leo wants to feel adored, loved and appreciated. They need to be important to their significant other, Stardust explains.

Leos are best matched with their fire counterparts: Aries and Sagittarius, Stardust says. They also pair well with air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. 

While those are Leo's ideal matches, Stardust says fixed signs have a way of finding each other. So, Leos may also gravitate toward Tauruses and Scorpios.

These relationships, however, are not always for the best. "What happens is that they create cement, because they're so inflexible you have to get a cement mixer in order to like get things to move the relationship," Stardust quips.

Strengths

Stardust says Leos are incredibly kind, generous and wholehearted. "Don't forget that Leo rules the heart Chakra," she says. "It's really important to know that Leos have a big heart for people that they care about."

Leos love fiercely and are often quite generous. They are excellent planners and can help lead others toward a shared goal. 

Weaknesses

Leos can be feisty and argumentative. They are a fire sign after all, and their lion energy can be untamable.

Leos are also known to exhibit bravado and let their pride get the best of them, Stardust shares. "If someone hurts them and lets them down, they're more apt to use their fiery nature to attack other people than to just say, 'You really hurt me,' or to apologize in the end," she explains. 

Leos can become stubborn given their fixed nature. Once their mind is made up, there's little chance of it changing. 

"A Leo, on a bad day is like the lion in 'The Wizard of Oz'," Stardust jokes; regal, proud and at the whim of their emotions.

Leos can also be messy, sometimes liking to stir the pot. "They like to create drama and then they'll walk away in the midst of all the drama they've created and just watch it because they find it entertaining," Stardust explains.  

New to Astrology? We've got you covered. Explore more Zodiac coverage and find out what the stars say about you with USA TODAY's astrological sign series. 

Learn more about each Zodiac sign

Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces

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