12 Rashis
The twelve signs of the Vedic zodiac — each spanning 30° of the ecliptic, ruled by a planet, shaped by an element and quality. The foundation of Jyotish personality and prediction.
Mesha
मेष · Aries
Lord
Mars
Element
Fire
Quality
Cardinal
Gemstone
Red Coral
Nakshatras
Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika (1)
Mesha is the first sign of the Vedic zodiac — dynamic, initiating, and ruled by the fiery Mars. Mesha natives are natural leaders who charge forward without hesitation. They are courageous, direct, and deeply competitive, though impatience can be their undoing. The head rules Mesha — these individuals are always "ahead" of others but must learn to pause and reflect before acting.
✦Boldness, initiative, passion, leadership
✦Anger, impatience, recklessness
Vrishabha
वृषभ · Taurus
Lord
Venus
Element
Earth
Quality
Fixed
Gemstone
Diamond
Nakshatras
Krittika (2,3,4), Rohini, Mrigashira (1,2)
Vrishabha is ruled by Venus — the planet of beauty, pleasure, and material abundance. These natives are reliable, patient, and deeply connected to the physical world. They love good food, beautiful surroundings, music, and comfort. Once determined, they are immovable. The bull does not charge often — but when it does, nothing can stop it.
✦Reliability, artistic talent, persistence, sensuousness
✦Stubbornness, possessiveness, resistance to change
Mithuna
मिथुन · Gemini
Lord
Mercury
Element
Air
Quality
Mutable
Gemstone
Emerald
Nakshatras
Mrigashira (3,4), Ardra, Punarvasu (1,2,3)
Mithuna is the sign of the twins — dual-natured, quick-witted, and forever curious. Ruled by Mercury, Mithuna natives excel in communication, writing, trading, and intellectual pursuits. They can see all sides of an argument and adapt effortlessly to any situation. Their challenge is depth — they must resist the urge to skim across everything and develop mastery.
✦Communication, intelligence, versatility, humor
✦Inconsistency, superficiality, anxiety, indecision
Karka
कर्क · Cancer
Lord
Moon
Element
Water
Quality
Cardinal
Gemstone
Pearl
Nakshatras
Punarvasu (4), Pushya, Ashlesha
Karka is ruled by the Moon — the most personal and feeling of all planets. Karka natives are deeply empathetic, home-loving, and powerfully intuitive. They feel everything intensely and remember everything forever. Like the crab, they approach life sideways and protect their vulnerable interior with a hard shell. Family, roots, and belonging are their deepest needs.
✦Nurturing, empathy, memory, intuition, loyalty
✦Moodiness, over-sensitivity, possessiveness, clinging
Simha
सिंह · Leo
Lord
Sun
Element
Fire
Quality
Fixed
Gemstone
Ruby
Nakshatras
Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni (1)
Simha is ruled by the Sun — the king of the planets — and Simha natives carry this royalty in their bearing. They are natural performers, leaders, and patrons of others. Generous to a fault with those they love, they demand loyalty and recognition in return. The lion must learn that true leadership is about serving others, not being served.
✦Confidence, generosity, charisma, loyalty, leadership
✦Ego, arrogance, need for validation, stubbornness
Kanya
कन्या · Virgo
Lord
Mercury
Element
Earth
Quality
Mutable
Gemstone
Emerald
Nakshatras
Uttara Phalguni (2,3,4), Hasta, Chitra (1,2)
Kanya is the sign of discernment — ruled by Mercury but expressed through Earth. Kanya natives have an extraordinary eye for detail, an ability to analyze and categorize, and a strong impulse toward service. They are the editors, healers, nutritionists, and craftspeople of the zodiac. Their challenge is turning their analytical lens on others rather than themselves.
✦Precision, analytical mind, service, humility, health consciousness
✦Over-criticism, perfectionism, anxiety, difficulty delegating
Tula
तुला · Libra
Lord
Venus
Element
Air
Quality
Cardinal
Gemstone
Diamond
Nakshatras
Chitra (3,4), Swati, Vishakha (1,2,3)
Tula is the sign of the scales — the only inanimate symbol in the zodiac. Ruled by Venus, Tula natives seek beauty, harmony, justice, and partnership above all else. They are gifted diplomats who can see every side of a situation — which makes them excellent mediators but terrible decision-makers. The greatest lesson for Tula is to choose, commit, and act.
✦Fairness, charm, social intelligence, aesthetic sense, cooperation
✦Indecision, people-pleasing, avoiding conflict, superficiality
Vrishchika
वृश्चिक · Scorpio
Lord
Mars
Element
Water
Quality
Fixed
Gemstone
Red Coral
Nakshatras
Vishakha (4), Anuradha, Jyeshtha
Vrishchika is the most intense sign of the Vedic zodiac. Ruled by Mars and associated with the 8th house of death, transformation, and the occult, these natives are drawn to life's deepest mysteries. They feel everything profoundly, hold grudges indefinitely, and transform themselves — like the scorpion, snake, and phoenix — through crisis. They fear nothing but their own vulnerability.
✦Depth, passion, resilience, investigative ability, loyalty
✦Jealousy, control, revenge, secrecy, intensity
Dhanu
धनु · Sagittarius
Lord
Jupiter
Element
Fire
Quality
Mutable
Gemstone
Yellow Sapphire
Nakshatras
Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha (1)
Dhanu is ruled by Jupiter — the planet of wisdom, dharma, and expansion. The archer aims high, always pointing toward distant horizons. Dhanu natives love travel, philosophy, higher learning, and the search for ultimate truth. They are the teachers, preachers, travelers, and visionaries of the zodiac. Their bluntness can wound, but it comes from a deep commitment to truth.
✦Optimism, wisdom, generosity, adventurousness, faith
✦Tactlessness, restlessness, over-promising, self-righteousness
Makara
मकर · Capricorn
Lord
Saturn
Element
Earth
Quality
Cardinal
Gemstone
Blue Sapphire
Nakshatras
Uttara Ashadha (2,3,4), Shravana, Dhanishtha (1,2)
Makara is the sign of the sea-goat — climbing steadily from the depths to the heights. Ruled by Saturn, Makara natives are the most disciplined and patient of all signs. They understand that real achievement takes time and sustained effort. They are the architects, executives, and elders of the zodiac — often reaching their greatest success in the second half of life.
✦Discipline, ambition, responsibility, practicality, perseverance
✦Coldness, excessive caution, pessimism, workaholism
Kumbha
कुम्भ · Aquarius
Lord
Saturn
Element
Air
Quality
Fixed
Gemstone
Blue Sapphire
Nakshatras
Dhanishtha (3,4), Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada (1,2,3)
Kumbha, the water-bearer, pours wisdom upon all of humanity without discrimination. Ruled by Saturn, Kumbha natives are progressive thinkers, social reformers, and visionaries ahead of their time. They are concerned with the collective good rather than personal gain. Friendship, community, and the liberation of all beings are their highest ideals.
✦Originality, humanitarian concern, intellect, independence, vision
✦Emotional detachment, unpredictability, aloofness, rebellion
Meena
मीन · Pisces
Lord
Jupiter
Element
Water
Quality
Mutable
Gemstone
Yellow Sapphire
Nakshatras
Purva Bhadrapada (4), Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati
Meena is the final sign — the sign of dissolution, moksha, and surrender. Ruled by Jupiter, Meena natives are deeply spiritual, compassionate, and psychically sensitive. They absorb the emotions of those around them like sponges. They are the mystics, poets, healers, and dreamers of the zodiac — at their best when in service to something greater than themselves.
✦Compassion, intuition, spiritual depth, creativity, empathy
✦Escapism, lack of boundaries, self-pity, impracticality
Rashi Quick Reference
| # | Rashi | Lord | Element | Quality | Body Part | Lucky Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ♈ Mesha | Mars | Fire | Cardinal | Head & Brain | Tuesday, Sunday |
| 2 | ♉ Vrishabha | Venus | Earth | Fixed | Face, Throat & Neck | Friday, Wednesday |
| 3 | ♊ Mithuna | Mercury | Air | Mutable | Arms, Shoulders & Lungs | Wednesday |
| 4 | ♋ Karka | Moon | Water | Cardinal | Chest & Stomach | Monday |
| 5 | ♌ Simha | Sun | Fire | Fixed | Heart & Spine | Sunday |
| 6 | ♍ Kanya | Mercury | Earth | Mutable | Abdomen & Intestines | Wednesday, Saturday |
| 7 | ♎ Tula | Venus | Air | Cardinal | Kidneys & Lower Back | Friday |
| 8 | ♏ Vrishchika | Mars | Water | Fixed | Reproductive Organs | Tuesday |
| 9 | ♐ Dhanu | Jupiter | Fire | Mutable | Hips & Thighs | Thursday |
| 10 | ♑ Makara | Saturn | Earth | Cardinal | Knees & Skeleton | Saturday |
| 11 | ♒ Kumbha | Saturn | Air | Fixed | Ankles & Circulatory System | Saturday |
| 12 | ♓ Meena | Jupiter | Water | Mutable | Feet & Lymphatic System | Thursday, Monday |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 Rashis?
The 12 Rashis (zodiac signs) in Vedic astrology are Mesha, Vrishabha, Mithuna, Karka, Simha, Kanya, Tula, Vrishchika, Dhanu, Makara, Kumbha, and Meena. Each Rashi spans 30° of the 360° zodiac, is ruled by a planet, belongs to an element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), and has a distinct quality (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable).
What is the difference between Vedic Rashi and Western Sun sign?
The Vedic Rashi uses the sidereal zodiac (based on fixed stars), while Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac (based on the equinoxes). Due to the precession of equinoxes, there is approximately a 23° difference between the two systems. This means your Vedic Moon or Sun sign may be one sign earlier than your Western sign. In Vedic astrology, the Moon sign (Chandra Rashi) is considered more important than the Sun sign.
What is Lagna (Ascendant) Rashi?
The Lagna Rashi (Ascendant) is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your exact moment of birth. It is the most important point in a Vedic birth chart — determining the 12 houses of the horoscope and the physical body. The Lagna lord (ruler of the Ascendant sign) is called the chart ruler and shapes your overall life trajectory.
How do I find my Rashi?
In Vedic astrology, your Rashi is your Chandra Rashi — the zodiac sign the Moon occupied at birth. Use AstroJanamPatrika's free Kundali calculator with your birth date, time, and place to instantly find your Moon Rashi, Lagna Rashi, and Sun Rashi. Since the Moon changes sign every 2.5 days, an accurate birth time is important.
Which Rashi is the strongest?
No single Rashi is inherently the strongest in Vedic astrology — each sign has unique strengths suited to different contexts. However, each planet has a sign it rules (own sign) and a sign of exaltation where it performs best. The strength of a Rashi in your chart depends entirely on where its ruling planet is placed and what aspects it receives.