Vedic astrology reference
The 12 rashis: Vedic zodiac signs
A rashi is one of the twelve 30-degree signs of the zodiac used in Vedic astrology (Jyotish). The table lists each sign's Sanskrit name, Devanagari spelling, English equivalent, symbol, element, modality and traditional ruling planet. When people in India speak of "my rashi", they usually mean their moon sign.
Rashi names and attributes
| # | Rashi | English | Symbol | Element | Modality | Ruling planet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meshaमेष | Aries | A ram | Fire (Agni) | Movable (Chara) | Mars (Mangala) |
| 2 | Vrishabhaवृषभ | Taurus | A bull | Earth (Prithvi) | Fixed (Sthira) | Venus (Shukra) |
| 3 | Mithunaमिथुन | Gemini | A pair, often drawn as a man and a woman | Air (Vayu) | Dual (Dvisvabhava) | Mercury (Budha) |
| 4 | Karkaकर्क | Cancer | A crab | Water (Jala) | Movable (Chara) | Moon (Chandra) |
| 5 | Simhaसिंह | Leo | A lion | Fire (Agni) | Fixed (Sthira) | Sun (Surya) |
| 6 | Kanyaकन्या | Virgo | A young woman (maiden) | Earth (Prithvi) | Dual (Dvisvabhava) | Mercury (Budha) |
| 7 | Tulaतुला | Libra | A pair of scales | Air (Vayu) | Movable (Chara) | Venus (Shukra) |
| 8 | Vrishchikaवृश्चिक | Scorpio | A scorpion | Water (Jala) | Fixed (Sthira) | Mars (Mangala) |
| 9 | Dhanuधनु | Sagittarius | A bow, or an archer | Fire (Agni) | Dual (Dvisvabhava) | Jupiter (Guru (Brihaspati)) |
| 10 | Makaraमकर | Capricorn | The makara, a mythical sea creature (the Western sign uses a sea-goat) | Earth (Prithvi) | Movable (Chara) | Saturn (Shani) |
| 11 | Kumbhaकुम्भ | Aquarius | A water pot | Air (Vayu) | Fixed (Sthira) | Saturn (Shani) |
| 12 | Meenaमीन | Pisces | Two fish | Water (Jala) | Dual (Dvisvabhava) | Jupiter (Guru (Brihaspati)) |
How the signs are grouped
Elements (tattvas). The signs cycle through fire, earth, air and water in order. Fire: Mesha, Simha, Dhanu. Earth: Vrishabha, Kanya, Makara. Air: Mithuna, Tula, Kumbha. Water: Karka, Vrishchika, Meena.
Modalities. Movable (chara) signs are Mesha, Karka, Tula and Makara; fixed (sthira) signs are Vrishabha, Simha, Vrishchika and Kumbha; dual (dvisvabhava) signs are Mithuna, Kanya, Dhanu and Meena.
Rulers. Jyotish uses only the classical planets as sign rulers. The Sun rules Simha and the Moon rules Karka; Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn each rule two signs. Modern Western astrology's use of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto is not part of the Vedic system.
Moon sign, sun sign and the sidereal zodiac
Vedic astrology measures signs against the fixed stars (the sidereal zodiac). Most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, which is tied to the equinoxes. The two are currently about 24 degrees apart, so a person's Vedic sign is often one sign earlier than their Western one.
Western horoscopes usually describe the sun sign. In Indian usage, "rashi" usually means the moon sign, which changes about every two and a quarter days, so it can only be worked out from an exact birth date, time and place. You can find yours in a trusted panchang; AstroConnect's own calculation tools are not available yet.
Read about each rashi
- Mesha Aries
- Vrishabha Taurus
- Mithuna Gemini
- Karka Cancer
- Simha Leo
- Kanya Virgo
- Tula Libra
- Vrishchika Scorpio
- Dhanu Sagittarius
- Makara Capricorn
- Kumbha Aquarius
- Meena Pisces
Related: the 27 nakshatras · guna milan explained · browse the virtual guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a rashi?
In Vedic astrology (Jyotish), a rashi is one of the twelve 30-degree signs of the zodiac, from Mesha (Aries) to Meena (Pisces). When people in India ask "what is my rashi?", they usually mean the moon sign: the sign the Moon occupied at the time of birth.
Is my rashi the same as my Western zodiac sign?
Often not. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, measured against the fixed stars, while most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, tied to the seasons. The two are currently about 24 degrees apart, so a sign can shift back by one. Western "sun signs" are also based on the Sun, while a rashi is usually the Moon's sign.
How do I find my rashi?
Your moon sign is calculated from your date, exact time and place of birth, because the Moon changes sign about every two and a quarter days. You can look it up in a trusted panchang or a calculation tool from an established provider. AstroConnect's own calculation tools are not available yet.
Do the twelve rashis predict personality or events?
No scientific evidence shows that signs predict personality or events. The descriptions on these pages record how the Jyotish tradition talks about each sign. AstroConnect presents them as cultural background for reflection, not as facts about any person.