12 Rasis.
The 12 zodiac signs of Vedic astrology — each spanning 30° of the ecliptic, ruled by a planet, carrying an element, a modality and a set of nakshatras.
What Are the 12 Rasis?
The 12 Rasis (zodiac signs) of Vedic astrology divide the ecliptic into 12 equal 30° segments. Each Rasi is associated with one of four elements (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water), one of three modalities (Cardinal, Fixed, or Dual), and a ruling planet. In Vedic astrology, the Moon-sign Rasi — the Rasi in which the Moon was placed at your birth — is considered the primary marker of character and emotion, in contrast to the Sun-sign system more familiar in Western astrology.
Each Rasi spans exactly nine Nakshatra padas (quarters), meaning every Rasi contains parts of at least three consecutive Nakshatras. This structural relationship is the foundation of the Navamsa divisional chart and a key bridge between lunar-mansion and zodiac-sign interpretation in classical texts.
Mesha
மேஷம்
Aries
Ram
Vrishabha
ரிஷபம்
Taurus
Bull
Mithuna
மிதுனம்
Gemini
Twins
Karka
கடகம்
Cancer
Crab
Simha
சிம்மம்
Leo
Lion
Kanya
கன்னி
Virgo
Maiden
Tula
துலாம்
Libra
Scales
Vrishchika
விருச்சிகம்
Scorpio
Scorpion
Dhanu
தனுசு
Sagittarius
Archer / Bow
Makara
மகரம்
Capricorn
Sea-goat (crocodile-headed)
Kumbha
கும்பம்
Aquarius
Water-bearer
Meena
மீனம்
Pisces
Two fish
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rasi in Vedic astrology?
A Rasi is one of 12 equal 30° divisions of the zodiac (ecliptic), each ruled by a planet and associated with an element and modality. The Rasi system forms the foundation of a Vedic birth chart (Janma Kundali) and is used for personality analysis, transit predictions, and Dasha period interpretation.
Is my Rasi the same as my Western zodiac sign?
Usually not. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which is aligned to the actual star constellations and is currently offset from the tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology) by approximately 23–24 degrees. This difference — called Ayanamsa — means your Vedic Rasi often falls one sign earlier than your Western sun sign.
Is the Rasi based on the Sun or the Moon?
In Vedic astrology, the term "Rasi" by itself most often refers to the Moon-sign Rasi — the zodiac sign the Moon occupied at your birth. This Moon Rasi is considered the primary Rasi for character, emotional nature, and predictive analysis. The Sun-sign Rasi also exists and is used for specific techniques, but the Moon Rasi is traditionally primary.
How many Nakshatras are in one Rasi?
Each Rasi spans exactly nine Nakshatra padas (quarters), which typically covers parts of three consecutive Nakshatras — two full Nakshatras plus fractions of one on each side. One Nakshatra at the boundary of two Rasis will have its padas split between both signs.
What is the Navamsa (D9) chart and how does it relate to Rasis?
The Navamsa chart divides each Rasi into nine equal parts (one per Nakshatra pada), creating a secondary 12-sign chart used for deeper personality analysis and marriage compatibility. Each pada maps to a Rasi in the Navamsa chart, making the Nakshatra-Rasi relationship structurally fundamental to Vedic divisional chart analysis.
Traditional References: Content on this page draws from classical Vedic astrology texts, including the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and the Brihat Jataka of Varahamihira. Interpretations may vary across regional and lineage-based traditions.