Vedic Astrology Reference

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.

Fire: Mesha, Simha, Dhanu · Earth: Vrishabha, Kanya, Makara · Air: Mithuna, Tula, Kumbha · Water: Karka, Vrishchika, Meena

Mesha

मेष  ·  Aries

#1

Lord

Mars

Element

Fire

Quality

Cardinal

Gemstone

Red Coral

Nakshatras

Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika (1)

PioneeringEnergeticCourageousImpulsive

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

#2

Lord

Venus

Element

Earth

Quality

Fixed

Gemstone

Diamond

Nakshatras

Krittika (2,3,4), Rohini, Mrigashira (1,2)

StableSensualPatientStubborn

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

#3

Lord

Mercury

Element

Air

Quality

Mutable

Gemstone

Emerald

Nakshatras

Mrigashira (3,4), Ardra, Punarvasu (1,2,3)

IntelligentAdaptableCuriousRestless

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

#4

Lord

Moon

Element

Water

Quality

Cardinal

Gemstone

Pearl

Nakshatras

Punarvasu (4), Pushya, Ashlesha

NurturingIntuitiveProtectiveMoody

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

#5

Lord

Sun

Element

Fire

Quality

Fixed

Gemstone

Ruby

Nakshatras

Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni (1)

RegalGenerousDramaticProud

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

#6

Lord

Mercury

Element

Earth

Quality

Mutable

Gemstone

Emerald

Nakshatras

Uttara Phalguni (2,3,4), Hasta, Chitra (1,2)

AnalyticalPreciseHelpfulCritical

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

#7

Lord

Venus

Element

Air

Quality

Cardinal

Gemstone

Diamond

Nakshatras

Chitra (3,4), Swati, Vishakha (1,2,3)

BalancedCharmingDiplomaticIndecisive

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

#8

Lord

Mars

Element

Water

Quality

Fixed

Gemstone

Red Coral

Nakshatras

Vishakha (4), Anuradha, Jyeshtha

IntenseMysteriousTransformativeSecretive

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

#9

Lord

Jupiter

Element

Fire

Quality

Mutable

Gemstone

Yellow Sapphire

Nakshatras

Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha (1)

PhilosophicalAdventurousOptimisticTactless

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

#10

Lord

Saturn

Element

Earth

Quality

Cardinal

Gemstone

Blue Sapphire

Nakshatras

Uttara Ashadha (2,3,4), Shravana, Dhanishtha (1,2)

DisciplinedAmbitiousPatientReserved

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

#11

Lord

Saturn

Element

Air

Quality

Fixed

Gemstone

Blue Sapphire

Nakshatras

Dhanishtha (3,4), Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada (1,2,3)

HumanitarianOriginalEccentricDetached

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

#12

Lord

Jupiter

Element

Water

Quality

Mutable

Gemstone

Yellow Sapphire

Nakshatras

Purva Bhadrapada (4), Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati

CompassionateIntuitiveDreamyBoundary-less

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

#RashiLordElementQualityBody PartLucky 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.

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