In India, practically everyone knows their birth nakshatra, as this is the main indicator of personality along with a person’s moon sign. In Vedic astrology, the nakshatras are small constellations of stars that the moon travels through as it orbits Earth. In English, nakshatras are known as “lunar mansions.” A Vedic astrologer looks at the nakshatras along with zodiac signs to determine additional details about a person’s inborn traits.
Find Your Nakshatra
Learn More about Your Nakshatra
Read our guide on your birth Nakshatra to learn more about your personality template and the various influences of this constellation on your life.
The 27 Nakshatras
Here is a list of the 27 nakshatras along with the basic traits of each one:
Ashwini
Planetary Ruler: Ketu.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Aries.
Deity: The Ashwini-kumaras.
Symbol: A horse's head.
Bharani
Planetary Ruler: Venus.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Venus.
Deity: Yamaraja.
Symbol: The female sex organ.
Krittika
Planetary Ruler: The Sun.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Aries & Taurus.
Deity: Agni.
Symbol: A knife or a flame.
Rohini
Planetary Ruler: The Moon.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus.
Deity: Brahma.
Symbol: An oxcart or a temple.
Mrigashira
Planetary Ruler: Mars.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus & Gemini.
Deity: Soma.
Symbol: A deer's head.
Ardra
Planetary Ruler: Rahu.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini.
Deity: Rudra.
Symbol: A human head or a teardrop.
Punarvasu
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Cancer.
Deity: Aditi.
Symbol: A bow and quiver.
Pushya
Planetary Ruler: Saturn.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer.
Deity: Aditi.
Symbol: A bow and quiver.
Ashlesha
Planetary Ruler: Mercury.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer.
Deity: Vritrasura.
Symbol: A serpent.
Magha
Planetary Ruler: Ketu.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Leo.
Deity: Daksha or the Pitris.
Symbol: A palanquin or a throne.
Purva-phalguni
Planetary Ruler: Venus.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Leo.
Deity: Surya (Aryaman).
Symbol: A hammock.
Uttara-phalguni
Planetary Ruler: The Sun.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Leo & Virgo.
Deity: Surya (Bhaga).
Symbol: A bed.
Hasta
Planetary Ruler: The Moon.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo.
Deity: Surya (Savitri).
Symbol: A hand.
Chitra
Planetary Ruler: Mars.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo & Libra.
Deity: Vishvakarma.
Symbol: A pearl or a jewel.
Swati
Planetary Ruler: Rahu.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Libra.
Deity: Vayu.
Symbol: A fresh blade of grass.
Vishakha
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Libra & Scorpio.
Deity: Indra.
Symbol: A potter's wheel.
Anuradha
Planetary Ruler: Saturn.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
Deity: Mitra.
Symbol: A lotus flower.
Jyeshta
Planetary Ruler: Mercury.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
Deity: Indra.
Symbol: An umbrella.
Mula
Planetary Ruler: Ketu.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius.
Deity: Alakshmi.
Symbol: Roots.
Purva-ashadha
Planetary Ruler: Venus.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius.
Deity: Apah.
Symbol: A winnowing basket.
Uttara-ashadha
Planetary Ruler: The Sun.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius & Capricorn.
Deity: Vishvadevas.
Symbol: The tusk of an elephant.
Shravana
Planetary Ruler: The Moon.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn.
Deity: Vishnu.
Symbol: An ear.
Dhanishta
Planetary Ruler: Mars.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn & Aquarius.
Deity: The Eight Vasus.
Symbol: A drum.
Shatabhisha
Planetary Ruler: Rahu.
Nakshatra Group: Monstrous.
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius.
Deity: Varuna.
Symbol: An empty circle.
Purva-bhadrapada
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius & Pisces.
Deity: Shiva.
Symbol: A funeral bed.
Uttara-bhadrapada
Planetary Ruler: Saturn.
Nakshatra Group: Human-like.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces.
Deity: Ananta.
Symbol: A snake.
Revati
Planetary Ruler: Mercury.
Nakshatra Group: Godly.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces.
Deity: Surya (Pushan).
Symbol: A fish.
Nakshatras in Electional Astrology (Muhurtha)
In electional astrology, also known as muhurtha, nakshatras are used to determine favorable days and times for important ceremonies and events, such as weddings, buying a new house or vehicle, commencing a project, or conceiving a child.
There are seven classes of nakshatras, and each class is suitable for different kinds of activities.
Chara Nakshatras (Mobile)
Chara or "mobile" nakshatras include Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishta, and Shatabhisha. Chara nakshatras are excellent for:
- Buying a vehicle
- Changing residence, jobs, or other life changes
- Beginning a pilgrimage
- Planting vegetables or other crops, and general gardening work
- Travel
Sthira Nakshatras (Fixed)
Sthira or "fixed" nakshatras include Rohini, Uttara-phalguni, Uttara-ashadha, and Uttara-bhadrapada. Sthira nakshatras are good for:
- Marriage ceremonies
- Building a home
- Buying land
- Planting trees
- Undergoing a medical treatment
- Learning art, music, or dance
Mridu Nakshatras (Soft)
Mridu or "soft" and "mild" nakshatras include Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati. Mridu nakshatras are good for:
- Beginning a journey
- Undergoing a medical operation
- Marriage ceremonies
- Conceiving a child
- Purchasing new clothes or jewelry
Ugra Nakshatras (Harsh)
Ugra or "harsh" nakshatras include Bharani, Magha, Purva-phalguni, Purva-ashadha, and Purva-bhadrapada. Ugra nakshatras are ideal for:
- Giving up bad habits
- Cutting off toxic relationships
- Quitting a job
- Any destructive act, such as weeding or demolition
- Performing vows or retreats, such as a day of silence
- Doing any kind of detox or cleanse
Tikshna Nakshatras (Sharp)
Tikshna or "sharp" and "intense" nakshatras include Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshta, and Mula. Tikshna nakshatras are useful for:
- Undergoing surgery
- getting a piercing
- Separating from a business partner, friend, or spouse (divorce)
- Giving up bad habits
- Punishing someone who has acted wrongly
Kshipra Nakshatras (Swift)
Kshipra or "swift" and "light" nakshatras include Ashwini, Pushya, and Hasta. Kshipra nakshatras are excellent for:
- Beginning a journey
- Undergoing a medical operation
- Learning something new
- Athletic events and competitions
- Performing any healing work
Mishra Nakshatras (Mixed)
Mishra or "mixed" nakshatras include Krittika and Vishakha. Mishra nakshatras are good for:
- Cleaning or organizing
- Discarding unwanted things
- Giving up bad habits
- Holding a protest or strike
- Performing a vrata, or spiritual vow, such as a vow of silence