What celestial grouping do the zodiacal constellations relate to regarding the Sun's path?

The Sun appears to pass directly in front of these constellations over the year.

The zodiacal constellations are specifically recognized because the apparent path of the Sun, the ecliptic, passes directly through the central regions of these twelve constellations over the course of the year. This association is historic and fundamental; as the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun’s apparent background shifts against this designated band of constellations. The Sun's position relative to this backdrop determines the traditional astrological sign associated with any given date. It is important to understand that this relationship is becoming less precise over time due to the precession of the equinoxes, a long-term wobble in the Earth’s axis, which causes a slow shift between the location of the equinoxes (which anchor the tropical zodiac) and the actual background stars of the sidereal zodiac.