The 27 Nakshatras: List, Ruling Planets and Meanings

Long before the twelve signs reached India, Vedic sky-watchers divided the Moon's path into 27 star groups, sometimes 28, one for each night of its monthly circuit. Each nakshatra is named for its brightest stars and presided over by a deity, and each is divided into four padas, or quarters. Jyotish still reads the Moon by nakshatra first and by sign second.

nakshatras around the zodiac

27nakshatras around the zodiac

the width of each one

13°20'the width of each one

padas, four in each nakshatra

108padas, four in each nakshatra

Because the Moon moves about 13 degrees a day, your nakshatra is far more individual than your sign. It changes about once a day, and its pada about every six hours.

Each nakshatra takes its character from its deity. In one line each, as the tradition reads them:

• 1

  Ashwini

  The Ashwini Kumaras, the divine physicians

  Speed, fresh starts and a healer's instinct.

• 2

  Bharani

  Yama

  Restraint and endurance; carrying things through to their end.

• 3

  Krittika

  Agni

  Sharpness, courage and a cutting honesty.

• 4

  Rohini

  Brahma

  Growth, beauty and a love of comfort; the Moon's favourite.

• 5

  Mrigashira

  Soma

  Searching curiosity; the seeker who follows a scent.

• 6

  Ardra

  Rudra

  The storm that clears the air; intensity, and renewal after upheaval.

• 7

  Punarvasu

  Aditi

  Return and renewal; the light after rain.

• 8

  Pushya

  Brihaspati

  Nourishment, care and steadiness; classically the most auspicious for beginnings.

• 9

  Ashlesha

  The Nagas

  Perception, strategy and a grip that does not let go.

• 10

  Magha

  The Pitris, the ancestors

  Lineage, dignity and respect for those who came before.

• 11

  Purva Phalguni

  Bhaga

  Pleasure, rest, romance and creativity.

• 12

  Uttara Phalguni

  Aryaman

  Loyalty, agreements, and partnership that lasts.

• 13

  Hasta

  Savitr

  Skill of the hands, craft and resourcefulness.

• 14

  Chitra

  Tvashtar

  Design and brilliance; the architect of form.

• 15

  Swati

  Vayu

  Independence and flexibility; the wind that moves freely.

• 16

  Vishakha

  Indra and Agni

  Purpose and determination; the goal fixed on the horizon.

• 17

  Anuradha

  Mitra

  Friendship, devotion and success through cooperation.

• 18

  Jyeshtha

  Indra

  Seniority, protection and responsibility for others.

• 19

  Mula

  Nirriti

  Roots; getting to the bottom of things, sometimes by pulling them up.

• 20

  Purva Ashadha

  Apas, the waters

  Conviction and invigoration; the undefeated.

• 21

  Uttara Ashadha

  The Vishvedevas

  Lasting victory through principle and patience.

• 22

  Shravana

  Vishnu

  Listening and learning; knowledge passed on by ear.

• 23

  Dhanishta

  The Vasus

  Rhythm, music and abundance.

• 24

  Shatabhisha

  Varuna

  Healing, research and solitude; the hundred physicians.

• 25

  Purva Bhadrapada

  Aja Ekapada

  Intensity, idealism and transformation.

• 26

  Uttara Bhadrapada

  Ahir Budhnya

  Depth, wisdom and composure; calm deep water.

• 27

  Revati

  Pushan

  Guidance and safe passage; the shepherd who brings travellers home.

Each of the nine grahas rules three nakshatras, nine apart. The planet that rules your birth nakshatra rules the first dasha of your life, and how far the Moon had travelled through the nakshatra when you were born sets how much of that first period was left. From there the periods run in the fixed order below, for 120 years in all.

Each nakshatra also has a gana, a temperament: Deva (divine, gentle), Manushya (human, balanced) or Rakshasa (fierce, independent). Rakshasa is not 'demonic' in any moral sense; it describes intensity and self-reliance. The gana is one of the eight tests in kundli matching, worth 6 of the 36 points.

Your birth nakshatra comes from the Moon's sidereal position at your birth minute, so you need your birth date, time and place. The Moon crosses a whole nakshatra in about a day, so the time matters: a few hours can move you into the next one. The free Rashi calculator shows your Moon sign, nakshatra and pada.

Your nakshatra is not your Western sign. It is measured on the sidereal zodiac, about 24 degrees behind the tropical one, and from the Moon, not the Sun.

Each nakshatra divides into four padas of 3°20', so the zodiac holds 108 padas, a number that recurs across Indian tradition. Each pada has its own syllable for naming a child and its own navamsa sign. Baby names by nakshatra lists all 108 syllables.