The 27 nakshatras: nature, ruling planets and padas
Every nakshatra has its own ruling planet, deity, symbol and nature. Below are plain-language guides to all 27, plus how to find your birth nakshatra.
Ashwini
Fresh starts, speed and a readiness to help.
Bharani
Bearing responsibility, deep feeling and the strength to hold life together.
Krittika
Sharp speech, a determination to learn and a wish to clear things up.
Rohini
Charm, steadiness and a strong sense of beauty.
Mrigashira
Searching, gentleness and curiosity about new things.
Ardra
Change, clear thinking and handling inner restlessness.
Punarvasu
Hope, trying again after a setback and giving people support.
Pushya
Nurturing, protection and building strength slowly.
Ashlesha
Deep insight, caution and the ability to sense what is unsaid.
Magha
Respect, old roots and the wish to claim your place.
Purva Phalguni
Creativity, ease and sharing joy with people.
Uttara Phalguni
Friendship, support and being a reliable partner.
Hasta
Skill, order and the craft of making things by hand.
Chitra
Design, shine and an eye for making things attractive.
Swati
Independence, free-flowing thought and choosing your own path.
Vishakha
Effort, balance and staying with a goal.
Anuradha
Friendship, patience and the strength to move forward together.
Jyeshtha
Courage, responsibility and the ability to carry a heavy role.
Mula
Getting to the root, searching for truth and letting go of the old.
Purva Ashadha
Hope, success and rising again after difficulty.
Uttara Ashadha
Steadiness, victory and effort that lasts.
Shravana
Listening, learning and connecting information into understanding.
Dhanishta
Rhythm, effort and finding your place within a group.
Shatabhisha
Deep study, solitude and uncovering what is hidden.
Purva Bhadrapada
Courage, change and directing intense feeling well.
Uttara Bhadrapada
Patience, depth and handling difficulty with calm.
Revati
Travel, completion and gently helping people move forward.
The nakshatras are 27 sections of the sky that the Moon appears to move through. Each covers 13 degrees 20 minutes and is divided into four padas. The nakshatra the Moon was in at birth is your birth nakshatra.
How the birth nakshatra is found
The birth date, exact birth time and birth city give the Moon’s position. The Moon changes nakshatra about every two and a half days, so a wrong time can change the nakshatra or pada. If the birth time is unknown, do not treat a guessed result as final.
What a pada means
Each nakshatra has four padas of 3 degrees 20 minutes each. The pada gives a navamsa sign and a finer hint about nature. Every nakshatra guide includes a table of all four padas.
Where nakshatras are used
Nakshatras are used in kundli matching, Vimshottari dasha, muhurat and understanding temperament. In matching, factors such as gana, yoni and nadi come from the nakshatra. The starting dasha is also set by the birth nakshatra.
Table of all 27 nakshatras
| # | Nakshatra | Ruling planet | Deity | Gana | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ashwini | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras | deva | Horse's head |
| 02 | Bharani | Venus | Yama | manushya | Symbol of creation |
| 03 | Krittika | Sun | Agni | rakshasa | Flame or razor |
| 04 | Rohini | Moon | Brahma | manushya | Ox cart |
| 05 | Mrigashira | Mars | Soma | deva | Deer's head |
| 06 | Ardra | Rahu | Rudra | manushya | Teardrop |
| 07 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Aditi | deva | Bow and quiver |
| 08 | Pushya | Saturn | Brihaspati | deva | Lotus or cow udder |
| 09 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Nagas | rakshasa | Coiled serpent |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Pitris | rakshasa | Throne |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Bhaga | manushya | Front legs of a bed |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Aryaman | manushya | Back legs of a bed |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Savitar | deva | Hand |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Vishvakarma | rakshasa | Bright jewel |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Vayu | deva | Young sprout |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Indra and Agni | rakshasa | Triumphal arch |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Mitra | deva | Lotus |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Indra | rakshasa | Circular amulet |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Nirriti | rakshasa | Tied roots |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Apah | manushya | Winnowing fan |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Vishvedevas | manushya | Elephant tusk |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Vishnu | deva | Ear or three footprints |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Mars | Vasus | rakshasa | Drum |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Varuna | rakshasa | Empty circle |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada | manushya | Sword or front legs of a cot |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Ahirbudhnya | manushya | Back legs of a cot |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pushan | deva | Fish or drum |
Common questions
What are the 27 nakshatras?
The 27 nakshatras run from Ashwini to Revati. Each covers 13 degrees 20 minutes and has a ruling planet, deity and symbol. The full list is above.
How do I find my birth nakshatra?
Your birth date, birth time and birth city give the Moon’s position, which sets the nakshatra and pada. Our nakshatra finder does this calculation in your browser.
What is the difference between a nakshatra and a sign?
A sign is a larger 30-degree section, while a nakshatra is a smaller 13-degree-20-minute section. One sign contains two or three nakshatras. The sign gives a broad hint and the nakshatra a finer one.
Panchang and planet positions use standard astronomical formulas. Astrological meanings come from tradition. Consult a professional for big decisions.
How we calculateFind your nakshatra
Enter your birth date, time and city. See your nakshatra, pada and ruling planet at once.