Astronum

Reference

The 27 Nakshatras

The lunar mansions — ruling planet, deity, symbol, and temperament of each, in zodiac order.

1. Ashwini

Ketu

0°00′–13°20′ Aries

Quick to act and quick to heal — the energy of a fast start, first response, and pioneering initiative.

Deity: The Ashwini Kumaras (twin divine physicians)

Symbol: A horse's head

Gana: Deva

Nature: Light and swift (Laghu)

2. Bharani

Venus

13°20′–26°40′ Aries

The intensity of birth, death, and everything that must be restrained or endured to bring something new into being.

Deity: Yama, god of death and dharma

Symbol: The yoni (womb)

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fierce (Ugra)

3. Krittika

Sun

26°40′ Aries – 10°00′ Taurus

A sharp, purifying edge — burns away what's unnecessary, sometimes bluntly, in service of something cleaner underneath.

Deity: Agni, the fire god

Symbol: A razor or flame

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Mixed (Mishra)

4. Rohini

Moon

10°00′–23°20′ Taurus

Fertility, growth, and material abundance — a steady, sensuous appetite for what is beautiful and lasting.

Deity: Brahma (Prajapati), the creator

Symbol: An ox-cart or chariot

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fixed (Dhruva/Sthira)

5. Mrigashira

Mars

23°20′ Taurus – 6°40′ Gemini

A gentle, searching curiosity — always looking a little further, never quite satisfied with the first answer.

Deity: Soma, the Moon god

Symbol: A deer's head

Gana: Deva

Nature: Soft (Mridu)

6. Ardra

Rahu

6°40′–20°00′ Gemini

Transformation through upheaval — growth that comes only after something is first broken down.

Deity: Rudra, the storm god

Symbol: A teardrop or gemstone

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Sharp (Tikshna)

7. Punarvasu

Jupiter

20°00′ Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer

Renewal and safe return — the sense of coming home again after having gone through something difficult.

Deity: Aditi, mother of the gods

Symbol: A bow and quiver

Gana: Deva

Nature: Movable (Chara)

8. Pushya

Saturn

3°20′–16°40′ Cancer

Nourishment and quiet abundance — classically considered one of the most auspicious nakshatras of all.

Deity: Brihaspati, guru of the gods

Symbol: A cow's udder or lotus

Gana: Deva

Nature: Light and swift (Laghu)

9. Ashlesha

Mercury

16°40′ Cancer – 0°00′ Leo

Hypnotic, entwining, and secretive — power that works below the surface rather than out in the open.

Deity: The Nagas, serpent deities

Symbol: A coiled serpent

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Sharp (Tikshna)

10. Magha

Ketu

0°00′–13°20′ Leo

Lineage and inherited authority — status and power that come from what was handed down, not built from scratch.

Deity: The Pitris, ancestral spirits

Symbol: A royal throne

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Fierce (Ugra)

11. Purva Phalguni

Venus

13°20′–26°40′ Leo

Ease, enjoyment, and the pleasures of partnership — a comfortable, sociable warmth.

Deity: Bhaga, god of fortune and marital bliss

Symbol: The front legs of a bed

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fierce (Ugra)

12. Uttara Phalguni

Sun

26°40′ Leo – 10°00′ Virgo

Reliable partnership and generosity — the kind of steady support that holds up over the long run.

Deity: Aryaman, god of patronage and contracts

Symbol: The back legs of a bed

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fixed (Dhruva/Sthira)

13. Hasta

Moon

10°00′–23°20′ Virgo

Skillful hands and practical craft — the ability to actually make something happen, not just plan it.

Deity: Savitar, the enlivening aspect of the Sun

Symbol: A hand or closed fist

Gana: Deva

Nature: Light and swift (Laghu)

14. Chitra

Mars

23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra

An eye for design and brilliance — drawn to what shines, and often skilled at creating it.

Deity: Vishvakarma, the divine architect

Symbol: A bright jewel or pearl

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Soft (Mridu)

15. Swati

Rahu

6°40′–20°00′ Libra

Independence and adaptability — moves with circumstance rather than resisting it, like wind finding its way.

Deity: Vayu, the wind god

Symbol: A young shoot or coral

Gana: Deva

Nature: Movable (Chara)

16. Vishakha

Jupiter

20°00′ Libra – 3°20′ Scorpio

Focused, goal-driven determination — a single-minded push toward a chosen purpose.

Deity: Indra-Agni, joint deities of power and fire

Symbol: A decorated archway or potter's wheel

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Mixed (Mishra)

17. Anuradha

Saturn

3°20′–16°40′ Scorpio

Loyalty and deep, considered friendship — relationships built slowly and taken seriously.

Deity: Mitra, god of friendship and alliance

Symbol: A lotus or triumphal archway

Gana: Deva

Nature: Soft (Mridu)

18. Jyeshtha

Mercury

16°40′ Scorpio – 0°00′ Sagittarius

Courageous leadership through seniority and effort — earned authority rather than given.

Deity: Indra, king of the gods

Symbol: A circular amulet or umbrella

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Sharp (Tikshna)

19. Mula

Ketu

0°00′–13°20′ Sagittarius

Going to the root of things, even when that means confronting destruction along the way.

Deity: Nirriti, goddess of dissolution

Symbol: A bunch of roots or a lion's tail

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Sharp (Tikshna)

20. Purva Ashadha

Venus

13°20′–26°40′ Sagittarius

Early, unstoppable momentum — conviction that carries a person forward before the outcome is even settled.

Deity: Apas, the water goddess

Symbol: A fan or winnowing basket

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fierce (Ugra)

21. Uttara Ashadha

Sun

26°40′ Sagittarius – 10°00′ Capricorn

Quiet, universal integrity — victory that comes from principle and steady effort rather than force.

Deity: The Vishvadevas, universal gods

Symbol: An elephant's tusk

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fixed (Dhruva/Sthira)

22. Shravana

Moon

10°00′–23°20′ Capricorn

Listening, learning, and connection across distance — the instinct to hear and to travel far to do it.

Deity: Vishnu, the preserver

Symbol: An ear or three footprints

Gana: Deva

Nature: Movable (Chara)

23. Dhanishta

Mars

23°20′ Capricorn – 6°40′ Aquarius

Rhythm, wealth, and generosity expressed through sound and celebration.

Deity: The Vasus, eight elemental gods

Symbol: A drum or flute

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Movable (Chara)

24. Shatabhisha

Rahu

6°40′–20°00′ Aquarius

Vast, somewhat solitary depth — healing gifts, but a natural inclination toward privacy.

Deity: Varuna, god of cosmic law and the ocean

Symbol: An empty circle or a hundred flowers/stars

Gana: Rakshasa

Nature: Movable (Chara)

25. Purva Bhadrapada

Jupiter

20°00′ Aquarius – 3°20′ Pisces

Intense, sometimes turbulent spiritual fire — transformation that can feel two-edged before it settles.

Deity: Aja Ekapada, the one-footed serpent

Symbol: The front legs of a funeral cot, or a sword

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fierce (Ugra)

26. Uttara Bhadrapada

Saturn

3°20′–16°40′ Pisces

Deep, hidden wisdom that surfaces slowly — a quiet reservoir rather than a visible display.

Deity: Ahir Budhnya, serpent of the deep

Symbol: The back legs of a funeral cot, or a twin serpent

Gana: Manushya

Nature: Fixed (Dhruva/Sthira)

27. Revati

Mercury

16°40′–30°00′ Pisces

Compassionate completion — the last nakshatra, closing one cycle gently before the next begins.

Deity: Pushan, nourisher and guide of souls

Symbol: A fish, or a pair of fish

Gana: Deva

Nature: Soft (Mridu)