Cancer Personality Traits, Compatibility & More

A loyal, compassionate nurturer who is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

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If your birthday falls between June 21 and July 22, you are a sensitive, compassionate Cancer. Cancer is the fourth zodiac on the wheel, placed in between Gemini and Leo. Compared to their highly independent neighbors, Cancers are much more nurturing. They enjoy spending quality time with their family and friends because they grow lonely easily. They crave companionship. Anyone who falls under the Cancer zodiac sign enjoys helping out others. They would rather tend to their loved one’s needs than worry about what they need themselves. Cancers are givers, so they are always thinking of thoughtful ways to improve the lives of the people around them, even if it means making life harder on themselves.

During Cancer season each year, all of the signs will feel extra emotional. They will crave connection, whether that means meeting new people or reconnecting with old friends that they’ve lost touch with over time. This is the perfect season to work on building deep, meaningful relationships. As the Cancer sign knows all too well, you should never neglect the people who matter the most. They always make sure that they are vocalizing their feelings for others, and that their actions are matching their words. Anyone with a Cancer birthday will never let a day go by without reminding their loved ones how much they matter.

Cancer Dates: June 21 to July 22

Cancer Meaning In One Sentence: A loyal, compassionate nurturer who is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Cancer Personality Traits

Cancer traits are mostly positive. Cancers are selfless, protective, and family-oriented. They spend most of their time worrying about their loved ones, whether that’s a partner or relative or pet. Either way, they are more concerned with how they can help others than how they can help themselves. This is why they’re always running around doing favors and buying little presents to surprise people with out of the blue. In addition to being thoughtful and attentive, this sign is incredibly protective, so they won’t let anything hurt their loved ones. They can act surprisingly fierce when they feel like someone they care about is in danger. Cancers are also super affectionate, so they aren’t going to make you wonder how they feel. They will compliment you, support you, and encourage you on a daily basis. They want you to feel loved and appreciated at all times.

One of a Cancer’s biggest strengths is their loyalty. They take their commitments seriously and try their best to never break a promise. Cancers are never going to hurt someone they care about on purpose — and if it happens by accident, they will do everything in their power to make it up to you. Whether you’re dating a Cancer or are friends with one, you never have to worry about being betrayed or abandoned by them. They will stick by your side through thick and thin. Cancers mean it when they say they would do anything for you. Whenever you call, they will show up without needing an explanation. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the night or if they’re busy with other things because they will drop everything for you.

One of a Cancer’s biggest weaknesses is their ability to hold a grudge. Although their sensitivity can be a strength at times, it can also cause them trouble. Cancers take every little comment to heart, so if they catch you saying something rude or breaking a promise, they are never going to be able to look at you the same way again. They might choose to forgive you, but they will never forget what you’ve done — and there will be multiple fights about the same exact thing throughout the course of your friendship or relationship. They will never let go of the pain or uncertainty you put them through. They will always resent you at least a little, even if they claim that they’ve moved on. Overall, the Cancer personality is sweet and kind, but they will turn bitter if you push them too hard.

Cancer Relationship Compatibility

Cancers typically aren’t interested in short-term situationships or flings. They are searching for their forever person so they can start building a home together. This sign craves consistency and reliability. They want a stable life where they feel comfortable and safe. Cancers are as loyal as they come, and they expect their partner to remain faithful as well. They are sensitive and take little slights to heart, so they won’t last with a partner who makes them feel insecure or compares them to others.

Cancers would work best with a fellow water sign like Pisces because they are both emotional. They care deeply about others and want to make their partner as happy as possible. Cancers also make great matches with earth signs like Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn because they all want to settle down and start their own version of a family, whatever that might mean to them. These signs aren’t interested in playing the field and take their commitments seriously. Once they enter a relationship, they will put one hundred percent of their effort into keeping it strong, just like a Cancer will.

Unfortunately, it can be easy for a Cancer sign to get involved in one-sided relationships since they are usually the ones who care more, but when they find a compatible sign, their Cancer soulmate, everything will feel equal. They will be receiving as much love as they give.

Cancer Symbol, Animal & Birthstone

Cancer Symbol

The Cancer symbol is meant to resemble a crab body and claws. In order to draw this, you should first create an oblong shape for the body. Then add two dash-like lines for the arms. You can also draw the Cancer symbol as a sideways 69 which is also meant to resemble crab claws.

Cancer Animal

Cancers are represented by the crab because they are reserved and hide inside of their shells. They protect themselves and isolate themselves in order to avoid rejection or heartbreak. Like crabs, the Cancer animal, they are also highly sensitive to their environments. They need to surround themselves with people who make them feel comfortable and safe because they are influenced by outside energies. Their sensitive side makes it hard for them to associate with people who are overly negative or critical.

Cancer Birthstone

The Cancer birthstone is the ruby. This is a precious red gem that is said to spark confidence. This is something that a Cancer desperately needs because they tend to criticize themselves constantly and overthink every situation. This gemstone is meant to bring them balance so that they have the confidence and courage to chase after what they deserve in life.

Cancer Element

Cancers are grouped under the water element, along with Scorpio and Pisces. Water signs are known for being sentimental and sensitive. They feel their emotions deeply and genuinely care about everyone around them. These signs are loyal to a fault, so they are never going to abandon or betray the people they love the most. Their compassion and dedication make them excellent partners and friends.

Modality

Cancers are a cardinal sign because their season marks the beginning of summer. These signs are known for being ambitious and self-motivated. Cancers in particular are always willing to put effort into their relationships and friendships because they want to make others happy. They aren’t going to get lazy because they want to give their loved ones everything they deserve. This sign might not think of themselves as a leader, but when it comes time to protect their favorite people, they will do whatever needs to be done.

Planetary Ruler

Cancer is unique because instead of being ruled by a planet, it is ruled by the moon. The moon represents emotions and intuition, which explains why Cancers are so in tune with their emotions. They are also skilled at reading body language and can guess what others are thinking with accuracy. The moon is also associated with childhood and maternal figures, which is why Cancers are one of the biggest nurturers in the zodiac.

House Ruler

Cancer signs are ruled by the fourth house on the astrological wheel, which represents the home and family. This house involves your relationships with your parents, with the place you call home, and with the place where you originally came from. It encourages you to reflect on your relationship with the people who raised you and your roots.

Tarot Card

The tarot card associated with Cancer is The Chariot. This card suggests that you aren’t going to take a straightforward path. You’re going to experience ups and downs that will take you in directions you never imagined. But that’s okay because even though your path might change, just like your goals or your emotions, you can still reach the same finish line.

Part of the Body

The parts of the body ruled by Cancer are the chest and stomach. This is because Cancers are maternal creatures. They want to support and nourish everyone that they love, much like your chest keeps newborns fed and your stomach keeps you fed.

Aesthetic/Style

Cancers are ruled by a feminine moon, which is why they typically dress in a more feminine style. They prefer silhouettes with soft shapes and muted colors because they don’t want to draw too much attention to themselves. This is why their power color, which embodies and highlights their personality, is silver, like the surface of the moon. This color is clean and pure, much like their personality. Overall, this sign would rather blend into the background and dress for comfort than wear what’s trendy. Cancers usually enjoy shopping for thrifted items because they are far from materialistic. They would rather get a good deal than spend money on themselves that they could be spending on others.  

Cancer Rising / Moon Sign

Cancer Rising

If you’re a Cancer rising, you are emotionally strong and compassionate. You are able to push aside whatever problems you’re facing in order to help others deal with their problems. You always put the well-being of others ahead of yourself because you are a protector. When it comes to your family, there is nothing that you wouldn’t do for them. You normally aren’t fierce or combative, but if someone threatens a loved one, you will go to battle. You will do anything you can to keep them safe.

Cancer Moon

If you’re a Cancer moon, you are empathetic. You cannot stand to see others in pain because you feel what they’re feeling. Their sadness rubs off on you, but so does their happiness. That’s why you will help out in whatever way you can. You are a giver who is much more comfortable helping others than receiving help from others. Since you care so deeply about your loved ones, and even strangers on the street, you’re always busy doing favors. You support others in whatever way possible.

Famous Cancers

Some notable people with a Sun Sign in Cancer include:

  • Selena Gomez, actress, 1992
  • Ariana Grande, singer, 1993
  • Milo Ventimiglia, actor, 1977
  • Kristen Bell, actress, 1980
  • Tom Hanks, actor, 1956
  • Sofia Vergara, actress, 1972
  • Will Ferrell, actor, 1967
  • Post Malone, singer, 1995
  • Kevin Hart, comedian, 1979
  • Kevin Bacon, actor, 1958
  • Chris Pratt, actor, 1979
  • Meryl Streep, actress, 1949
  • Lindsay Lohan, actress, 1986
  • Linda Cardellini, actress, 1975
  • Busy Philipps, actress, 1979
  • Fantasia Barrino, singer, 1984
  • Nick Offerman, actor, 1970