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Mithuna rashi (मिथुन): Gemini
Mithuna is the third sign of the Vedic zodiac, equivalent to Gemini. In Jyotish tradition it is a dual air sign ruled by Mercury.
- Sanskrit name
- Mithuna (मिथुन)
- English
- Gemini
- Symbol
- A pair, often drawn as a man and a woman
- Element
- Air (Vayu)
- Modality
- Dual (Dvisvabhava)
- Ruling planet (traditional)
- Mercury (Budha)
- Classical gender
- Masculine (odd sign)
- Exalted here (tradition)
- None of the seven classical planets
- Debilitated here (tradition)
- None of the seven classical planets
- Sun in this sign
- Roughly mid-June to mid-July (sidereal)
How the tradition describes Mithuna
Mithuna is a dual air sign ruled by Mercury, the planet the tradition links with speech, learning and trade. It is described as curious, talkative, witty and adaptable, with an interest in ideas, writing and conversation.
Writing on Mithuna often adds that its attention can scatter, and that it may find it hard to settle on one path. Its symbol in Indian iconography is a couple rather than the Western twins.
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 Mithuna
Each rashi spans nine nakshatra padas (quarters of a lunar mansion). Mithuna contains:
- Mrigashira: padas 3–4
- Ardra: all four padas
- Punarvasu: padas 1–3
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 Mithuna those are Mithuna itself and:
The other signs fall 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 from Mithuna and receive no Bhakoot points: Karka (Cancer), Tula (Libra), Vrishchika (Scorpio), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius), Vrishabha (Taurus). 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, Mercury's natural friends are Sun, 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 Mithuna rashi in English?
Mithuna (मिथुन) is the Vedic name for Gemini, the third sign of the zodiac. In Vedic astrology it is measured in the sidereal zodiac, so it does not line up exactly with the Western Gemini.
Who is the ruling planet of Mithuna rashi?
By Jyotish tradition, Mithuna is ruled by Mercury (Budha). Vedic astrology uses only the classical planets as sign rulers.
Which nakshatras fall in Mithuna rashi?
Each rashi covers nine nakshatra padas (quarters). Mithuna contains Mrigashira (padas 3–4), Ardra (all four padas), Punarvasu (padas 1–3).
Which rashis match Mithuna 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 Mithuna those are Mithuna itself and Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Meena (Pisces), Mesha (Aries). 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.