Beautifully crafted. Exquisite detail. 3.25 inch king. Made in Italy. Presented with a beautiful 15.75 inch Spanish board. THE PIECES With the superb detailing and finish expected from Italfama, these pieces are beautifully crafted from crushed stone composite. In their easily recognised forms, all the signs are represented. The Leo and Aquarius Kings stand tall and dignified, supported by their beautiful Virgo and Libra Queens. The bishops are represented by Aries and Taurus whilst Sagittarius and Capricorn make distinguished knights. On the flanks, Gemini and Pisces stand as the rooks with Cancer and Scorpio making superb pawns. To make play easier, all the pieces are individually marked with their rank. The playing field is a beautiful 15.75 inch walnut and maple board from Spain however The Zodiac Chess Men are also available without the board. Either way, they make a superb gift, don\'t you think? THE HISTORY The word Zodiac literally means \'animals\' and refers to the shapes of creatures seen in the stars at night. Throughout the year, our Sun apparently moves, month by month, around a great circle known as \'The Zodiac Belt\'. Engery travels from the different constellational signs and celestial radiations are relayed down to Earth. Influences, connected with these movements, can be seen as the planets revolve around the Sun in their individual cycles. The 12 signs of the Zodiac can be divided into both masculine and feminine, positive and negative, or, active and passive. Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are the masculine signs, whereas Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces are the feminine signs. The signs can be easily remembered by using the following jingle: The Ram, the Bull, the Heavenly Twins And now the Crab, the Lion shines, The Virgin and the Scales. The Scorpion, Archer and The Goat. The Man that bears the Watering Pot, And Fish with glittering tails.