Rashi 4 of 12
Karka rashi (कर्क): Cancer
Karka is the fourth sign of the Vedic zodiac, equivalent to Cancer. In Jyotish tradition it is a movable water sign ruled by Moon.
- Sanskrit name
- Karka (कर्क)
- English
- Cancer
- Symbol
- A crab
- Element
- Water (Jala)
- Modality
- Movable (Chara)
- Ruling planet (traditional)
- Moon (Chandra)
- Classical gender
- Feminine (even sign)
- Exalted here (tradition)
- Jupiter
- Debilitated here (tradition)
- Mars
- Sun in this sign
- Roughly mid-July to mid-August (sidereal)
How the tradition describes Karka
Karka is a movable water sign ruled by the Moon, which the tradition associates with the mind and feelings. It is described as caring, protective, sensitive and attached to home, family and memory.
The traits usually listed on the other side are moodiness and a tendency to withdraw when hurt, like the crab into its shell. Jupiter is said to be exalted in Karka.
These are descriptions handed down in Jyotish writing, not measured personality traits. A full chart in the tradition weighs many factors, so no single sign is meant to describe a whole person.
Nakshatras in Karka
Each rashi spans nine nakshatra padas (quarters of a lunar mansion). Karka contains:
- Punarvasu: pada 4
- Pushya: all four padas
- Ashlesha: all four padas
See the 27 nakshatras for their deities, ruling planets and traditional naming syllables.
Compatible signs in tradition
In Vedic matching, sign compatibility comes mainly from the Bhakoot koot of guna milan, which compares two people's moon signs. Moon signs that are 1/1, 3/11, 4/10 or 7/7 from each other receive the full 7 points. For Karka those are Karka itself and:
The other signs fall 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 from Karka and receive no Bhakoot points: Simha (Leo), Vrishchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Kumbha (Aquarius), Meena (Pisces), Mithuna (Gemini). Some texts describe conditions that cancel this, for example when both signs share a ruling planet.
The Graha Maitri koot compares the signs' ruling planets. In the classical Parashari table, Moon's natural friends are Sun, Mercury.
Bhakoot is only 7 of 36 points, and the full method also uses both birth nakshatras. These rules are a cultural convention; they do not show whether two people will get along, and they should not decide a relationship.
Frequently asked questions
What is Karka rashi in English?
Karka (कर्क) is the Vedic name for Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac. In Vedic astrology it is measured in the sidereal zodiac, so it does not line up exactly with the Western Cancer.
Who is the ruling planet of Karka rashi?
By Jyotish tradition, Karka is ruled by Moon (Chandra). Vedic astrology uses only the classical planets as sign rulers.
Which nakshatras fall in Karka rashi?
Each rashi covers nine nakshatra padas (quarters). Karka contains Punarvasu (pada 4), Pushya (all four padas), Ashlesha (all four padas).
Which rashis match Karka in guna milan?
In the Bhakoot koot of guna milan, moon signs that are 1/1, 3/11, 4/10 or 7/7 from each other receive the full 7 points. For Karka those are Karka itself and Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Makara (Capricorn), Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus). Bhakoot is only 7 of the 36 points; a full match also uses both birth nakshatras, and AstroConnect does not present any score as a prediction.