Nakshatra 1 of 27
Ashwini Nakshatra
अश्विनी
Ashwini is the first of the 27 nakshatras, spanning 0°00′ – 13°20′ in Mesha (Aries). Its lord is Ketu, its presiding deity is Ashwini Kumaras (divine physicians), and its symbol is the horse's head. A person whose Moon sits in this arc at birth has Ashwini as their Janma Nakshatra.
Lord (Dasha)
Ketu
Deity
Ashwini Kumaras
Symbol
Horse's head
Rashi
Mesha (Aries)
Degrees
0°00′ – 13°20′
Gana
Deva
Yoni
Ashwa (Horse)
Name letters
Chu, Che, Cho, La
Nature & Characteristics
Ashwini opens the zodiac with the speed of its symbol, the horse. Ruled by Ketu and presided over by the Ashwini Kumaras, twin physicians of the gods; its natives are quick in thought and action, direct, youthful whatever their age, and impatient with anything that slows them down. There is a pioneering, first-responder instinct here: Ashwini people start things, arrive first, and heal fast.
Career, Life Path & Lessons
The healing signature of the twin physicians gives natural success in medicine, emergency work, sports, transport and any field where speed and initiative are rewarded. The lesson of the nakshatra is completion: the horse that bolts from the gate must also finish the race. Spiritually, Ketu's rulership makes Ashwini natives capable of sudden, decisive turns toward the inner life, often after a swift and eventful youth.
Ashwini Padas & Baby Name Letters
Each nakshatra divides into four padas of 3°20′, each mapped to a navamsa rashi and a traditional naming syllable. A child born under Ashwini is classically named with the syllable of their pada.
| Pada | Navamsa | Name begins with |
|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | Mesha Navamsa | Chu |
| Pada 2 | Vrishabha Navamsa | Che |
| Pada 3 | Mithuna Navamsa | Cho |
| Pada 4 | Karka Navamsa | La |
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
Which rashi is Ashwini Nakshatra in?
Ashwini Nakshatra spans 0°00′ – 13°20′ of the sidereal zodiac, falling in Mesha (Aries). Anyone whose Moon occupies this arc at birth has Ashwini as their Janma Nakshatra (birth star).
Who is the lord of Ashwini Nakshatra?
Ketu is the Vimshottari lord of Ashwini, so a person born under it begins life in a Ketu Mahadasha. Its presiding deity is Ashwini Kumaras (divine physicians), and its symbol is the horse's head.
What are the baby name letters for Ashwini Nakshatra?
The traditional naming syllables (Namakarana) for Ashwini are Chu, Che, Cho, La — one for each pada. A child born in pada 1 takes a name beginning with "Chu", pada 2 with "Che", pada 3 with "Cho", and pada 4 with "La".
What is the gana and yoni of Ashwini Nakshatra?
Ashwini is a Deva gana nakshatra with Ashwa (Horse) yoni. Gana and Yoni are two of the Ashtakoota factors matched in Kundali Milan — Gana reflects temperament compatibility, while Yoni reflects instinctive compatibility.