What is a Rashi in Vedic astrology?

A Rashi is a zodiac sign in the Vedic system — one of 12 equal 30-degree divisions of the ecliptic. Unlike the Western sun-sign system, Vedic astrology primarily uses the Moon's Rashi (Moon sign) and the rising Lagna (ascendant) rather than the Sun sign. Each Rashi is associated with a ruling planet (graha), an element, a quality, and specific body parts in Kalapurusha.

How is Rashi different from Lagna?

Rashi refers to the zodiac sign a planet occupies — most commonly, the Moon's Rashi is what people refer to as their "Moon sign." Lagna (ascendant) is the Rashi rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth and determines the house system. Your Moon Rashi describes your emotional nature and determines your Vimshottari Mahadasha; your Lagna Rashi shapes your overall life orientation and physical constitution.

What is the order of the 12 Rashis?

The 12 Rashis in order are: Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kataka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrischika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius), and Meena (Pisces). Each spans exactly 30 degrees of the ecliptic.

Vedic Astrology

The 12 Vedic Rashis

All 12 zodiac signs of Vedic astrology — ruling planet, element, quality, exaltation, body part significations, and personality deep-dives.

Rashi Atlas

12Rashis

4Elements

3Qualities

30°Each Sign

Fire Signs

♈ ♌ ♐

♈Cardinal

Mesha

Aries

Mars (Mangal)

courageouspioneeringimpulsive

→

♌Fixed

Simha

Leo

Sun (Surya)

regalgenerousdramatic

→

♐Mutable

Dhanus

Sagittarius

Jupiter (Guru)

philosophicaloptimisticadventurous

→

Earth Signs

♉ ♍ ♑

♉Fixed

Vrishabha

Taurus

Venus (Shukra)

patientsensualstubborn

→

♍Mutable

Kanya

Virgo

Mercury (Budha)

analyticalpreciseservice-oriented

→

♑Cardinal

Makara

Capricorn

Saturn (Shani)

ambitiousdisciplinedpatient

→

Air Signs

♊ ♎ ♒

♊Mutable

Mithuna

Gemini

Mercury (Budha)

curiouscommunicativeversatile

→

♎Cardinal

Tula

Libra

Venus (Shukra)

balanceddiplomaticaesthetic

→

♒Fixed

Kumbha

Aquarius

Saturn (Shani)

humanitarianoriginaldetached

→

Water Signs

♋ ♏ ♓

♋Cardinal

Kataka

Cancer

Moon (Chandra)

nurturingintuitiveprotective

→

♏Fixed

Vrischika

Scorpio

Mars (Mangal)

intensetransformativesecretive

→

♓Mutable

Meena

Pisces

Jupiter (Guru)

compassionateintuitivespiritual

→

Quick Reference

Rashi	English	Ruler	Element	Quality	Exaltation	Debilitation
♈ Mesha	Aries	Mars (Mangal)	Fire	Cardinal	Sun (Surya)	Saturn (Shani)
♉ Vrishabha	Taurus	Venus (Shukra)	Earth	Fixed	Moon (Chandra)	Ketu
♊ Mithuna	Gemini	Mercury (Budha)	Air	Mutable	Rahu	Ketu
♋ Kataka	Cancer	Moon (Chandra)	Water	Cardinal	Jupiter (Guru)	Mars (Mangal)
♌ Simha	Leo	Sun (Surya)	Fire	Fixed	None (special)	None (special)
♍ Kanya	Virgo	Mercury (Budha)	Earth	Mutable	Mercury (Budha)	Venus (Shukra)
♎ Tula	Libra	Venus (Shukra)	Air	Cardinal	Saturn (Shani)	Sun (Surya)
♏ Vrischika	Scorpio	Mars (Mangal)	Water	Fixed	None (Ketu is powerful here)	Moon (Chandra)
♐ Dhanus	Sagittarius	Jupiter (Guru)	Fire	Mutable	Ketu	Rahu
♑ Makara	Capricorn	Saturn (Shani)	Earth	Cardinal	Mars (Mangal)	Jupiter (Guru)
♒ Kumbha	Aquarius	Saturn (Shani)	Air	Fixed	None (Rahu is powerful here)	None (Ketu is challenging here)
♓ Meena	Pisces	Jupiter (Guru)	Water	Mutable	Venus (Shukra)	Mercury (Budha)

Explore the Vedic System

Graha9 Planets Nakshatra27 Lunar Mansions Lagna12 Ascendants Dasha9 Mahadashas Yoga25 Yogas DoshaAfflictions

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