27 Nakshatras and Their Meanings: Complete Guide 2025
The 27 nakshatras are lunar mansions in Vedic astrology, each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac. Your birth nakshatra (Janma Nakshatra) is determined by the Moon's position at birth and reveals your core personality, emotional nature, and life path. Each nakshatra has a ruling planet, presiding deity, s
What Are the 27 Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology?
Nakshatras (Sanskrit: नक्षत्र) are the 27 lunar mansions that divide the 360° zodiac into equal segments of 13°20' each. Unlike Western astrology's focus on sun signs, Vedic astrology emphasizes the Moon's nakshatra position as the primary indicator of personality and fate.
The Moon spends approximately one day in each nakshatra during its 27.3-day lunar cycle. According to Vedic mythology, the 27 nakshatras are the daughters of Daksha Prajapati and wives of Chandra (Moon), who visits each wife during his monthly journey.
Each nakshatra is further divided into 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20' each, creating 108 total padas that correspond to the Navamsha chart.
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Complete List of 27 Nakshatras With Meanings
1. Ashwini Nakshatra (0°00' – 13°20' Aries)
Meaning: "Born of a female horse"
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Deity: Ashwini Kumaras (Divine Physicians)
Symbol: Horse's head
Quality: Swift, healing, pioneering
Ashwini natives are quick-acting healers with adventurous spirits. They possess natural leadership abilities, enthusiasm for new beginnings, and a desire for exploration.
2. Bharani Nakshatra (13°20' – 26°40' Aries)
Meaning: "The bearer"
Ruling Planet: Venus
Deity: Yama (God of Death)
Symbol: Yoni (female reproductive organ)
Quality: Transformative, creative, resilient
Bharani represents the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Natives display remarkable resilience and excel in creative self-expression.
3. Krittika Nakshatra (26°40' Aries – 10°00' Taurus)
Meaning: "The cutter"
Ruling Planet: Sun
Deity: Agni (Fire God)
Symbol: Razor or flame
Quality: Purifying, determined, protective
Krittika natives possess a strong sense of justice and the courage to protect others. The fire element brings clarity and determination.
4. Rohini Nakshatra (10°00' – 23°20' Taurus)
Meaning: "The red one"
Ruling Planet: Moon
Deity: Brahma (Creator) / Prajapati
Symbol: Ox cart, chariot
Quality: Fertile, abundant, artistic
Rohini is the Moon's favorite nakshatra, signifying fertility, beauty, and material abundance. Natives are naturally creative and nurturing.
5. Mrigashira Nakshatra (23°20' Taurus – 6°40' Gemini)
Meaning: "Deer's head"
Ruling Planet: Mars
Deity: Soma (Moon God)
Symbol: Deer's head
Quality: Searching, curious, gentle
Mrigashira represents the quest for knowledge and truth. Natives are eternal seekers driven by curiosity and a desire for understanding.
6. Ardra Nakshatra (6°40' – 20°00' Gemini)
Meaning: "The moist one"
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Deity: Rudra (Storm God)
Symbol: Teardrop, diamond
Quality: Transformative, intense, renewing
Ardra embodies transformation through upheaval. Like storms that cleanse, natives experience profound emotional cycles but emerge stronger.
7. Punarvasu Nakshatra (20°00' Gemini – 3°20' Cancer)
Meaning: "Return of the light"
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Deity: Aditi (Mother of Gods)
Symbol: Bow and quiver
Quality: Renewing, optimistic, nurturing
Punarvasu signifies renewal and hope. Natives possess remarkable resilience, bouncing back from adversity with optimism.
8. Pushya Nakshatra (3°20' – 16°40' Cancer)
Meaning: "Nourisher"
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Deity: Brihaspati (Jupiter/Guru)
Symbol: Cow's udder, lotus, arrow
Quality: Nurturing, auspicious, supportive
Pushya is considered the most auspicious nakshatra for beginning new ventures. Natives are naturally caring and provide support to others.
9. Ashlesha Nakshatra (16°40' – 30°00' Cancer)
Meaning: "The embracer"
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Deity: Nagas (Serpent deities)
Symbol: Coiled serpent
Quality: Intuitive, mystical, transformative
Ashlesha embodies serpent energy — intuition, hidden power, and transformation through introspection. Natives have magnetic, hypnotic presences.
10. Magha Nakshatra (0°00' – 13°20' Leo)
Meaning: "The mighty one"
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Deity: Pitris (Ancestors)
Symbol: Royal throne
Quality: Authoritative, honorable, ancestral
Magha connects to ancestral lineage and leadership. Natives possess natural authority, strong duty consciousness, and respect for heritage.
11. Purva Phalguni Nakshatra (13°20' – 26°40' Leo)
Meaning: "Former reddish one"
Ruling Planet: Venus
Deity: Bhaga (God of Fortune)
Symbol: Front legs of bed, hammock
Quality: Pleasure-seeking, creative, romantic
Purva Phalguni represents joy, love, and creative expression. Natives are sociable, artistic, and appreciate life's pleasures.
12. Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra (26°40' Leo – 10°00' Virgo)
Meaning: "Latter reddish one"
Ruling Planet: Sun
Deity: Aryaman (God of Contracts)
Symbol: Back legs of bed
Quality: Partnership-oriented, loyal, committed
Uttara Phalguni signifies partnerships and commitments. Natives excel in collaborations and building lasting relationships.
13. Hasta Nakshatra (10°00' – 23°20' Virgo)
Meaning: "The hand"
Ruling Planet: Moon
Deity: Savitar (Sun God at dawn)
Symbol: Open hand, fist
Quality: Skillful, dexterous, manifesting
Hasta represents skill and dexterity. Natives possess practical abilities to manifest desires through hands-on work.
14. Chitra Nakshatra (23°20' Virgo – 6°40' Libra)
Meaning: "The bright one"
Ruling Planet: Mars
Deity: Vishvakarma (Divine Architect)
Symbol: Bright jewel, pearl
Quality: Creative, aesthetic, innovative
Chitra embodies beauty and artistic excellence. Natives have keen aesthetic sense and talent for design and innovation.
15. Swati Nakshatra (6°40' – 20°00' Libra)
Meaning: "The sword" or "Independent"
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Deity: Vayu (Wind God)
Symbol: Young plant shoot, coral
Quality: Independent, flexible, adaptive
Swati signifies independence and flexibility. Like wind, natives value freedom and adapt gracefully to change.
16. Vishakha Nakshatra (20°00' Libra – 3°20' Scorpio)
Meaning: "Forked branch"
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Deity: Indra-Agni (King of Gods + Fire)
Symbol: Triumphal arch, potter's wheel
Quality: Ambitious, focused, determined
Vishakha represents purpose and ambition. Natives are goal-oriented leaders with single-minded determination.
17. Anuradha Nakshatra (3°20' – 16°40' Scorpio)
Meaning: "Following Radha"
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Deity: Mitra (God of Friendship)
Symbol: Lotus, triumphal gateway
Quality: Loyal, devoted, harmonious
Anuradha symbolizes friendship and loyalty. Natives value close relationships and excel at building supportive communities.
18. Jyeshtha Nakshatra (16°40' – 30°00' Scorpio)
Meaning: "The eldest"
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Deity: Indra (King of Gods)
Symbol: Circular amulet, umbrella
Quality: Authoritative, protective, mature
Jyeshtha embodies seniority and protection. Natives possess natural leadership and responsibility for others.
19. Mula Nakshatra (0°00' – 13°20' Sagittarius)
Meaning: "The root"
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Deity: Nirriti (Goddess of Dissolution)
Symbol: Tied bunch of roots
Quality: Root-seeking, transformative, truth-finding
Mula represents getting to the root of things. Natives are drawn to uncover hidden truths through deep investigation.
20. Purva Ashadha Nakshatra (13°20' – 26°40' Sagittarius)
Meaning: "The invincible one"
Ruling Planet: Venus
Deity: Apah (Water Deity)
Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan
Quality: Victorious, confident, purifying
Purva Ashadha signifies invincibility and victory. Natives possess strong competitive drive and determination to succeed.
21. Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra (26°40' Sagittarius – 10°00' Capricorn)
Meaning: "Later invincible one"
Ruling Planet: Sun
Deity: Vishvadevas (Universal Gods)
Symbol: Elephant tusk, planks of bed
Quality: Persevering, goal-achieving, ethical
Uttara Ashadha represents lasting victory through perseverance. Natives excel in long-term pursuits with unwavering purpose.
22. Shravana Nakshatra (10°00' – 23°20' Capricorn)
Meaning: "Hearing"
Ruling Planet: Moon
Deity: Vishnu (Preserver God)
Symbol: Three footprints, ear
Quality: Listening, learning, guiding
Shravana symbolizes learning through listening. Natives absorb wisdom and share knowledge with humility.
23. Dhanishta Nakshatra (23°20' Capricorn – 6°40' Aquarius)
Meaning: "The richest"
Ruling Planet: Mars
Deity: Vasus (Eight Elemental Gods)
Symbol: Drum, flute
Quality: Wealthy, rhythmic, innovative
Dhanishta represents prosperity and abundance. Natives often achieve financial success and possess musical talents.
24. Shatabhisha Nakshatra (6°40' – 20°00' Aquarius)
Meaning: "Hundred physicians"
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Deity: Varuna (God of Cosmic Waters)
Symbol: Empty circle, 100 flowers
Quality: Healing, secretive, independent
Shatabhisha embodies healing and mystery. Natives have natural affinity for healing practices and value solitude.
25. Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra (20°00' Aquarius – 3°20' Pisces)
Meaning: "Former auspicious foot"
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Deity: Aja Ekapada (One-footed Goat)
Symbol: Sword, two-faced man
Quality: Intense, spiritual, transformative
Purva Bhadrapada represents spiritual intensity and duality. Natives possess deep spiritual inclinations and transformative power.
26. Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra (3°20' – 16°40' Pisces)
Meaning: "Latter auspicious foot"
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Deity: Ahir Budhnya (Serpent of the Deep)
Symbol: Back legs of funeral cot
Quality: Wise, responsible, contemplative
Uttara Bhadrapada signifies enlightenment and depth. Natives possess profound wisdom and philosophical understanding.
27. Revati Nakshatra (16°40' – 30°00' Pisces)
Meaning: "The wealthy"
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Deity: Pushan (God of Safe Journeys)
Symbol: Fish, drum
Quality: Compassionate, guiding, nurturing
Revati, the final nakshatra, represents compassion and safe passage. Natives are natural caregivers who guide others on their journeys.
Nakshatra Planetary Rulers Chart
The 9 planets rule the 27 nakshatras in a repeating pattern:
Ketu: Ashwini, Magha, Mula
Venus: Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha
Sun: Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha
Moon: Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
Mars: Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta
Rahu: Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha
Jupiter: Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada
Saturn: Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada
Mercury: Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati
Discover Your Complete Nakshatra Profile
Get a detailed career, relationship, and life analysis based on your exact birth nakshatra, planetary positions, and dasha periods.
Get Your Career ReportHow to Find Your Nakshatra
To determine your birth nakshatra:
- Know exact birth time and location
- Calculate Moon's zodiacal position at that moment
- Match the degree to nakshatra range (each spans 13°20')
- Identify the pada (which quarter of the nakshatra)
Use a Vedic astrology calculator or consult an astrologer for accurate results.
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Dr. Meenakshi Sharma is a distinguished Vedic astrologer with a PhD in Vedic Astrology and over 20 years of professional experience in the ancient science of Jyotisha. Her extensive practice encompasses thousands of chart readings, predictive analyses, and remedial consultations, making her uniquely qualified to bridge traditional Vedic wisdom with contemporary applications. As a contributing writer for AstroSight, Dr. Sharma specializes in natal chart analysis, predictive astrology, and Vedic remedial measures, sharing her deep knowledge through insightful articles that make complex astrological concepts accessible to practitioners at all levels. Her approach combines rigorous academic training with ethical consultation standards, empowering clients through education and practical guidance while maintaining authentic adherence to classical Vedic principles.
