The 27 nakshatras of Vedic astrology

Updated July 2026

The nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology — a finer, older grid running beneath the twelve signs, each spanning 13°20′ of the sidereal zodiac. Your Moon’s nakshatra at birth (the janma nakshatra) shapes temperament in the classical reading and sets where your Vimshottari dasha cycle begins. Each mansion below has its own ruling planet, deity, symbol and character.

• 1. Ashwini

  Ruled by Ketu · 0°–13°20′ Aries · symbol: a horse's head

• 2. Bharani

  Ruled by Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Aries · symbol: the womb (yoni)

• 3. Krittika

  Ruled by Sun · 26°40′ Aries – 10° Taurus · symbol: a blade or flame

• 4. Rohini

  Ruled by Moon · 10°–23°20′ Taurus · symbol: a cart or chariot; the banyan tree

• 5. Mrigashira

  Ruled by Mars · 23°20′ Taurus – 6°40′ Gemini · symbol: a deer's head

• 6. Ardra

  Ruled by Rahu · 6°40′–20° Gemini · symbol: a teardrop

• 7. Punarvasu

  Ruled by Jupiter · 20° Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer · symbol: a bow and quiver

• 8. Pushya

  Ruled by Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Cancer · symbol: a cow's udder; a lotus

• 9. Ashlesha

  Ruled by Mercury · 16°40′–30° Cancer · symbol: a coiled serpent

• 10. Magha

  Ruled by Ketu · 0°–13°20′ Leo · symbol: a royal throne

• 11. Purva Phalguni

  Ruled by Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Leo · symbol: the front legs of a cot

• 12. Uttara Phalguni

  Ruled by Sun · 26°40′ Leo – 10° Virgo · symbol: the back legs of a cot

• 13. Hasta

  Ruled by Moon · 10°–23°20′ Virgo · symbol: an open hand

• 14. Chitra

  Ruled by Mars · 23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra · symbol: a bright jewel

• 15. Swati

  Ruled by Rahu · 6°40′–20° Libra · symbol: a young shoot swaying in the wind

• 16. Vishakha

  Ruled by Jupiter · 20° Libra – 3°20′ Scorpio · symbol: a triumphal archway

• 17. Anuradha

  Ruled by Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Scorpio · symbol: a lotus in full bloom

• 18. Jyeshtha

  Ruled by Mercury · 16°40′–30° Scorpio · symbol: an earring or protective talisman

• 19. Moola

  Ruled by Ketu · 0°–13°20′ Sagittarius · symbol: a bundle of roots tied together

• 20. Purva Ashadha

  Ruled by Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Sagittarius · symbol: an elephant's tusk; a winnowing fan

• 21. Uttara Ashadha

  Ruled by Sun · 26°40′ Sagittarius – 10° Capricorn · symbol: an elephant's tusk

• 22. Shravana

  Ruled by Moon · 10°–23°20′ Capricorn · symbol: an ear; three footprints

• 23. Dhanishtha

  Ruled by Mars · 23°20′ Capricorn – 6°40′ Aquarius · symbol: a drum (mridanga)

• 24. Shatabhisha

  Ruled by Rahu · 6°40′–20° Aquarius · symbol: an empty circle; a hundred stars

• 25. Purva Bhadrapada

  Ruled by Jupiter · 20° Aquarius – 3°20′ Pisces · symbol: a sword; the front legs of a funeral cot

• 26. Uttara Bhadrapada

  Ruled by Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Pisces · symbol: the back legs of a funeral cot; a serpent in water

• 27. Revati

  Ruled by Mercury · 16°40′–30° Pisces · symbol: a fish; a drum to mark time