Rashi 10 of 12
Makara rashi (मकर): Capricorn
Makara is the tenth sign of the Vedic zodiac, equivalent to Capricorn. In Jyotish tradition it is a movable earth sign ruled by Saturn.
- Sanskrit name
- Makara (मकर)
- English
- Capricorn
- Symbol
- The makara, a mythical sea creature (the Western sign uses a sea-goat)
- Element
- Earth (Prithvi)
- Modality
- Movable (Chara)
- Ruling planet (traditional)
- Saturn (Shani)
- Classical gender
- Feminine (even sign)
- Exalted here (tradition)
- Mars
- Debilitated here (tradition)
- Jupiter
- Sun in this sign
- Roughly mid-January to mid-February (sidereal)
How the tradition describes Makara
Makara is a movable earth sign ruled by Saturn. Tradition associates it with discipline, patience, responsibility, hard work and long-term ambition. The Sun's entry into Makara is celebrated as Makar Sankranti.
Writing on Makara often names rigidity and pessimism as the other side. Mars is said to be exalted in Makara and Jupiter debilitated.
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 Makara
Each rashi spans nine nakshatra padas (quarters of a lunar mansion). Makara contains:
- Uttara Ashadha: padas 2–4
- Shravana: all four padas
- Dhanishtha: padas 1–2
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 Makara those are Makara itself and:
The other signs fall 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 from Makara and receive no Bhakoot points: Kumbha (Aquarius), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Dhanu (Sagittarius). 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, Saturn's natural friends are Mercury, Venus.
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 Makara rashi in English?
Makara (मकर) is the Vedic name for Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac. In Vedic astrology it is measured in the sidereal zodiac, so it does not line up exactly with the Western Capricorn.
Who is the ruling planet of Makara rashi?
By Jyotish tradition, Makara is ruled by Saturn (Shani). Vedic astrology uses only the classical planets as sign rulers.
Which nakshatras fall in Makara rashi?
Each rashi covers nine nakshatra padas (quarters). Makara contains Uttara Ashadha (padas 2–4), Shravana (all four padas), Dhanishtha (padas 1–2).
Which rashis match Makara 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 Makara those are Makara itself and Meena (Pisces), Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer), Tula (Libra), Vrishchika (Scorpio). 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.