Almost certainly the youngest constellation of the Zodiac to be named and originally called Chelae (Latin for "claw"), Libra was once part of Scorpius. The two brightest stars in this constellation are the one furthest to the right (known as Zubenelgenubi Alpha) and the topmost star (known as Zubenelschemali Beta). These were formerly the southern and northern claws of the Scorpion...although the Scales are perceived by some sources as actually being held aloft in the right hand of Virgo. Zubenelgenubi, the Southern Scale of Libra, also known as the "Price to be Paid," is considered by its nature to be a malefic star, pale yellow-grey in color. The Northern Scale (Zubenelschemali), also known as the "Price to be Received," is regarded as a very fruitful and prosperous star, associated with riches, honor and good fortune. It is the only star in Libra visible to the naked eye and is reported to be an unusual shade of emerald green. Libra reaches its highest point in the evening sky in late June. This constellation is a relatively obscure collection of murky stars, usually located most easily by finding Spica (in the constellation Virgo) to the South-Southwest and Antares (in the constellation Scorpio) to the South-Southeast. The stars comprising Libra will be approximately halfway between Spica and Antares, fairly low in the Southern sky.

Although the Romans claimed to have been the first to create Libra from the claws of the ancient Scorpion, at least as early as 2000 B.C., this constellation was associated with the judgment of the living and the dead in Babylonia, where Zabanitu (who represented the Scales) weighed the souls of the deceased. In Ancient Sumeria, Libra was called Zi-Ba An-Na, or the "Balance of Heaven." Later, the Greeks once more mingled the stars of Libra with those of Scorpio and the presence of the Scales was not recorded again until they were mysteriously reinvented by the astrologers of Rome, and may actually be of Mesopotamian origin. The Romans referred to Libra as Jugum, meaning the "Yoke," the "Beam" or the "Balance." The people believed that the city of Rome was founded when the Moon was in the constellation of Libra and that this grouping of stars represented the balance and moderation present in Roman society. They did not associate Libra with the deadly Scorpion, but instead with the gentle constellation of Virgo. A comet which appeared in Libra in 43 B.C. was once thought to be as a result of Julius Caesar's assassination, being utilized by the Emperor Augustus to carry Caesar's soul to heaven. It is likely that this same comet has since appeared in 531 A.D., 1106 A.D., 1680 A.D. and is predicted to return in the Year 2255.

Early Christians maintained that Libra represented the Apostle Philip and it is also an emblem of the Archangel Michael. The Hebrews called it Moznayim, a Scale-beam said to be featured on the banners of the Asher Tribe. To the Ancient Chinese, Libra was Show Sing, the "Star of Longevity," but later generations changed the name to Tien Ching, which means the "Celestial Balance." The sacred books of India refer to this constellation as Tula or "Balance," where it is depicted in illustrations as a man bent on one knee holding the Scales aloft. To the Ancient Egyptians, Libra was sometimes viewed more in the form of a feather than a pair of scales. It has also been referred to as the "Golden Chariot of Pluto." In modern times, Libra is usually the symbol of the "Scales of Justice" and stand alone, not being held by any personage. Often more commonly described as a "high-flying kite," Libra is a unique constellation in that it is the only inanimate object on the Zodiac band, all the others featuring either human or animal representations.

A Southern constellation located between Virgo the Virgin and Scorpius the Scorpion, Libra is also bordered by Hydra the Sea-Serpent, Centaurus the Centaur, Lupus the Wolf, Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer and Serpens the Serpent.