December Birth Stars
December hosts more first-magnitude stars than any other month. All 31 days have their own star; the standouts are Sirius, Canopus, Rigel, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. The birth star for New Year's Eve is Sirius — the brightest star in the entire night sky.
Our birth stars are an independently compiled system: from the stars named by the International Astronomical Union, our editors chose the one that culminates around midnight on each date. Other sources may assign different stars, but this page follows our own mapping throughout.
Find your date's star — and add its star words to Christmas and year-end gifts.
What is the birth star of December?
December's birth stars include Sirius, Canopus, Rigel, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. In our calendar, each of the 31 days of December has its own star.
December birth stars (31 days)
All 31 days of December, with birth stars, star words, constellations, and magnitudes. Star words are examples. Culmination times and more detail are on each day's page.
| Date | Birth star | Star words (example) | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1 |  Aldebaran | pursuit, insight | Taurusα Tau |
| 12/2 |  Tabit | endurance, fixity | Orionπ3 Ori |
| 12/3 |  Hassaleh | tending, wardship | Aurigaι Aur |
| 12/4 | Tabit | endurance, fixity | Orionπ3 Ori |
| 12/5 | Hassaleh | tending, wardship | Aurigaι Aur |
| 12/6 | Saclateni | load-bearing, duty | Aurigaζ Aur |
| 12/7 | Haedus | kid, playfulness | Aurigaη Aur |
| 12/8 |  Cursa | source, footstep | Eridanusβ Eri |
| 12/9 | Rigel | steadfastness, radiance | Orionβ Ori |
| 12/10 | Capella | nurture, tenderness | Aurigaα Aur |
| 12/11 | Bellatrix | bravery, gallantry | Orionγ Ori |
| 12/12 |  Nihal | thirst, quenching | Lepusβ Lep |
| 12/13 | Arneb | leap, agility | Lepusα Lep |
| 12/14 | Alnilam | splendor, continuity | Orionε Ori |
| 12/15 | Alnitak | unity, bond | Orionζ Ori |
| 12/16 | Saiph | resolve, edge | Orionκ Ori |
| 12/17 |  Wazn | equilibrium, stillness | Columbaβ Col |
| 12/18 | Betelgeuse | embrace, ardor | Orionα Ori |
| 12/19 | Menkalinan | stewardship, support | Aurigaβ Aur |
| 12/20 | Mahasim | link, circle | Aurigaθ Aur |
| 12/21 | Menkalinan | stewardship, support | Aurigaβ Aur |
| 12/22 |  Propus | forefoot, advance | Geminiη Gem |
| 12/23 |  Furud | swift foot, lone steed | Canis Majorζ CMa |
| 12/24 | Mirzam | forerunner, premonition | Canis Majorβ CMa |
| 12/25 |  Canopus | longevity, blessing | Carinaα Car |
| 12/26 | Tejat | threshold, heel | Geminiμ Gem |
| 12/27 | Alhena | mark, pride | Geminiγ Gem |
| 12/28 | Mebsuta | outreach, extension | Geminiε Gem |
| 12/29 | Alhena | mark, pride | Geminiγ Gem |
| 12/30 | Alzirr | bud, sprout | Geminiξ Gem |
| 12/31 | Sirius | passion, guidance | Canis Majorα CMa |
The December night sky
At midnight in December, Orion dominates the south. Rigel (the 9th) and Betelgeuse (the 18th) are its twin first-magnitude giants, with Alnilam (the 14th) and Alnitak (the 15th) in the famous Belt. Sirius (the 31st), at magnitude −1.45, outshines every other star in the sky.
Join Sirius, Betelgeuse, and January's Procyon and you have the Winter Triangle — a guidepost for birth-star hunting from December into January. Canopus (the 25th) is the sky's second-brightest star, a faint glimmer on the southern horizon from parts of Japan. Aldebaran (the 1st) is the red eye of Taurus; Capella (the 10th) is the golden beacon of Auriga.
How to enjoy December birth stars
- Choose by star words: December is a parade of first-magnitude stars — brilliant words for year-end greetings.
- Find it at culmination: spot Orion's Belt, and Rigel and Betelgeuse are right beside it.
- Pair it with the birthday color: Christmas colors and star words for a truly special card.
- For gifts and cards: "the brightest star in the sky is my birth star" — the perfect line for a New Year's Eve birthday.
FAQ
- What is the birth star for December?
- December's birth stars include Sirius, Canopus, Rigel, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. Every day of December has its own star in our calendar.
- Is Sirius the birth star for December?
- Sirius is one of December's signature stars — it's the birth star for December 31. But birth stars change day by day, so the star depends on the exact date.
- What is the Winter Triangle?
- A great triangle of Sirius in Canis Major, Betelgeuse in Orion, and Procyon in Canis Minor — visible high in the south at midnight in December.
- What is the birth star for Christmas Day?
- December 25 has Canopus in Carina — the second-brightest star in the night sky.
- How do you choose the birth stars?
- Our editors independently select, from the IAU-named stars, the one culminating around midnight on each date. It is not an official standard.
Our birth stars are an original editorial system compiled from IAU-named stars (rule: the star that culminates around local midnight on each date). Star words are examples; there is no official standard. Star name data: IAU Working Group on Star Names (CC BY 4.0).Editorial policy