What is the difference between horoscope and zodiac?

Answer 1

A horoscope is a phony prediction of the future based on astrology.

The zodiac is a legitimate astronomical term meaning the constellations that lie on the ecliptic.

Answer 2

I like Cosmo's answer the best.

The zodiac are the 13 (yes, 13--not 12) contellations through which the sun passes during the year. Your astrological sign is a sun sign--it was, historically, the constellation occupied by the sun at the time of your birth. However, it is now off one full constellation since astrology was first invented a few thousand years ago.

A horoscope, as other responders noted, is sort of a prognostication concerning your personality and events that may befall you because of the positions of the planets in the heavens. I like Calvin's take on this (of Calvin and Hobbs): Yes, I imagine the stars have nothing better to do than to align themselves into positions predicting whether today will be a really great day for me, or just a mediocre one...

It was something like that, at any rate.

Answer 3

From Webster's Dictionary:
Horoscope:
1 : a diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time (as at one's birth) for use by astrologers in inferring individual character and personality traits and in foretelling events of a person's life
2 : an astrological forecast

Zodiac:
1 a : an imaginary band in the heavens centered on the ecliptic that encompasses the apparent paths of all the planets except Pluto and is divided into 12 constellations or signs each taken for astrological purposes to extend 30 degrees of longitude b : a figure representing the signs of the zodiac and their symbols

Answer 4

Nothing, except a few little details. Thy're the same basic thing, only they originated in two different countries. Although, they were both some of the smartest countries that have ever existed.