The Nakshatras and their asterisms

The 27 Nakshatras are the stations of the Moon, aka lunar mansions, that are evenly distributed along the sidereal zodiac that forms the basis of Vedic astrology.

The nakshatras have been introduced by the ancient Indian astronomers and astrologers. Each nakshatra (or lunar mansion, or station) is the part of the sky that the Moon covers during single day.

Since the nakshatras use the sidereal zodiac — meaning the real backdrop of physical fixed stars — each of them was assigned a particular group of stars, an asterism, that carries certain astrological symbolism.

The most accepted system of nakshatras consists of 27 equal divisions of the full 360º ecliptic circle and thus produces 27 equal segments of 13º20’ per nakshatra.

Each nakshatra is defined by a combination of:

• a segment along the ecliptic
• a corresponding asterism within that segment

A visual tour of the nakshatras

The best way to get the feeling of what the nakshatras actually are in the sky is to watch the animated tour along the ecliptic highlighting corresponding asterisms for each nakshatra. This way the reader will be able to identify those asterisms in the real sky and establish a deeper feeling for those sky segments.

The videos below should be watched in the HD (high definition) mode to enable legibility of text and fine starry sky details. Use the cogwheel icon at the bottom of the video to switch to the HD mode.

The two videos below present the nakshatras tour from both northern and southern hemispheres.

The two Moon cycles

There are two fundamental cycles of the Moon: sidereal orbital period and synodic month.

The shorter 27.27 day sidereal orbital period is the time it takes the Moon to complete its travel along the backdrop of the fixed stars. For example, if the Moon today were at fixed star Spica, it will take it 27.27 days to arrive at Spica again. The sidereal period reflects the alignment between the Moon and fixed stars. This cycle is the basis for defining the nakshatras.

The longer 29.5 day synodic month is the time from one New Moon to the next New Moon, aka the lunation cycle. The synodic period reflects the alignment between the Moon and the Sun.

The nakshatras are calculated using the sidereal orbital period and the sidereal zodiac.

How many nakshatras are there, 27 or 28?

A more “modern” system of 27 nakshatras — that is in fact more that 2,000 years old — uses the 365 days calendar with the Moon covering the arc of 13º20’ per day. This corresponds to the 27.27 day sidereal orbital period and produces the commonly accepted system of 27 nakshatras.

The older system of 28 nakshatras reflects the fact that in Vedic times the length of the year was considered to be 360 days with 12 perfect months of 30 days and the Moon was considered to travel exactly 13º per day. In that perfect but unfortunately imprecise system the sidereal orbital period was 27.69 days, meaning that it takes about 28 days for the Moon to complete the full circle along the ecliptic, hence 28 divisions of the ecliptic. The 360 day solar year was finally abandoned around 700 BCE.

Subdivisions of a nakshatra

Each nakshatra is further subdivided into four equal parts called the padas. Each pada is thus 3º20’.

Since one nakshatra corresponds to a segment of the sky travelled by the Moon in a single day, one may think of a pada as a quarter of a day, an approximate 6 hour period.

Symbolical associations of the padas can be conceptualised using the four fold model similar to the four quadrants of the astrological chart. The times are obviously approximate and symbolic in essence.

Pada	Part of day	Symbolism	Moon phase
Pada 1	Midnight to 6 hours	Spring, beginning	Waxing crescent
Pada 2	6 hours to noon	Summer, unfoldment	Waxing gibbous
Pada 3	Noon to 18 hours	Autumn, fruition	Waning gibbous
Pada 4	18 hours to midnight	Winter, reconciliation	Waning crescent

The Nakshatras calculator

Track the nakshatras (lunar mansions) of the Moon and other planets of astrological chart using a Home Screen widget and an app extension. Explore the add-on…

Perceiving the Nakshatras

The best way to experience the nakshatras is through direct observation of the night sky. The rest of this article will illustrate asterisms corresponding to each nakshatra and can serve as a guide for the reader to gain deeper familiarity with the prominent asterisms that constitute both the nakshatras and the zodiac signs, the foundations of astronomical constellations.

1. Ashvini | 2. Bharani | 3. Krittika | 4. Rohini | 5. Mrigashira | 6. Ardra | 7. Punarvasu | 8. Pushya | 9. Ashlesha | 10. Magha | 11. Purva Phalguni | 12. Uttara Phalguni | 13. Hasta | 14. Chitra | 15. Swati | 16. Vishakha | 17. Anuradha | 18. Jyeshtha | 19. Mula | 20. Purva Ashada | 21. Uttara Ashada | 22. Shravana | 23. Dhanishtha | 24. Shatabhisha | 25. Purva Bhadrapada | 26. Uttara Bhadrapada | 27. Revati

And not forgetting to say a few words about Abhijit that belongs to the non-standard archaic 28 Nakshatra system.

1. Ashvini

Name	Physician to the gods
Ruler	Ketu (South Node)
Symbol	Horse’s head
Also	Transport, possessing horses, yoking horses
Deity	Ashvins, divine doctors
Sidereal	0º – 13º20 Aries
Stars	β “Sheratan” and γ “Mesarthim” of Aries
Energy	South Node and Mars
Qualities	Dynamic, fiery, awakened, buoyant life energy, stamina, aggression

2. Bharani

Name	The bearer
Ruler	Venus
Symbol	Yoni (female reproductive organ)
Also	Restraint, bearing
Deity	Yama
Sidereal	13º20 – 26º40 Aries
Stars	35, 39 “Lilii Borea” and 41 “Bharani” of Aries
Energy	Venus and Mars
Qualities	Artistic, creative, responsibility, passion, excessive struggle and frustration

3. Krittika

Name	Nurses of Karttikeya, a son of Shiva
Ruler	Sun
Symbol	Flame, cutting edge
Also	Fire, cutters
Deity	Agni
Sidereal	26º40 Aries – 10º Taurus
Stars	The Pleiades
Energy	Sun and Mars–Venus
Qualities	Greatness, truth, willpower, desires, despotism

4. Rohini

Name	The red one
Ruler	Moon
Symbol	Chariot, temple, banyan tree
Also	Ruddy, growing, ascent
Deity	Brahma or Prajapati
Sidereal	10º – 23º20 Taurus
Stars	Aldebaran of Taurus
Energy	Moon and Venus
Qualities	Charm, beauty, sensual, indulging, consumerism, earth-bound, heavy soul

5. Mrigashira

Name	The seeker
Ruler	Mars
Symbol	Deer’s head
Also	Search, start of quest
Deity	Soma, Chandra
Sidereal	23º20 Taurus – 6º40 Gemini
Stars	λ “Meissa”, φ “Hecka” of Orion
Energy	Mars and Venus–Mercury
Qualities	Quest for Spirit, subtle perceptions, curiosity, intelligence, erratic pursuits

6. Ardra

Name	The lord of the storm
Ruler	Rahu (North Node)
Symbol	Human head, drop of water, diamond
Also	Shining gem, wet, soft, green, sharp
Deity	Rudra, the storm god
Sidereal	6º40 – 20º Gemini
Stars	Betelgeuse or Orion
Energy	North Node and Mercury
Qualities	Intelligence, power of sharp mind, ungratefulness, abuse of power

7. Punarvasu

Name	Return, renewal, restoration; good, brilliant
Ruler	Jupiter
Symbol	Bow and quiver of arrows
Also	Repetition, ray of light, jewel, prosperous
Deity	Aditi, mother of the gods
Sidereal	20º Gemini – 3º20 Cancer
Stars	Castor and Pollux of Gemini
Energy	Jupiter and Mercury–Moon
Qualities	Generosity, purity, launching pad to success, mobility, mental flimsiness

8. Pushya

Name	The nourisher
Ruler	Saturn
Symbol	Circle, lotus, cow’s udder
Also	Providing, nurturing, blossoming
Deity	Brihaspati, priest of the gods
Sidereal	3º20 – 16º40 Cancer
Stars	γ “Asellus Borealis”, δ “Asellus Australis” and θ of Cancer
Energy	Saturn and Jupiter
Qualities	Wisdom, power of word, wisdom of higher knowledge, stubbornness, selfish

9. Ashlesha

Name	The entwiner, embracer
Ruler	Mercury
Symbol	Serpent
Also	Kundalini, entangling
Deity	Naga, the serpent king
Sidereal	16º40 – 30º Cancer
Stars	δ, ε “Ashlesha Nakshatra”, η, ρ, and σ “Minchir” of Hydra
Energy	Mercury–Moon and Pluto, the Underworlds
Qualities	Deep, magnetic, thoughtful, reclusive, sensual, depression, melancholy, elusiveness

10. Magha

Name	The mighty, bountiful
Ruler	Ketu (South Node)
Symbol	Royal throne
Also	Great
Deity	Pitras, protectors of humanity
Sidereal	0º – 13º20 Leo
Stars	Regulus
Energy	South Node and Sun
Qualities	Heartness, spirituality, leadership, ambition, pride, arrogance

11. Purva Phalguni

Name	The first reddish one, fruit of the tree
Ruler	Venus
Symbol	Fig tree, hammock, couch
Also	Recuperation, prosperity, well-being, enjoyments
Deity	Bhaga, the god of good fortune
Sidereal	13º20 – 26º40 Leo
Stars	δ “Zosma” and θ “Chertan” of Leo
Energy	Venus and Sun
Qualities	Love, creativity, art, procreation, wealth, pleasure, self indulgence, vanity

12. Uttara Phalguni

Name	The second reddish one, fruit of the tree
Ruler	Sun
Symbol	Hammock, rear legs of bed
Also	Patronage, friendship, leadership, nobility, caring
Deity	Aryaman, god of patronage
Sidereal	26º40 Leo – 10º Virgo
Stars	Denebola of Leo
Energy	Sun and Mercury
Qualities	Expansion, caring, healing, helping, enduring, seeking for lost half, abandonment, stubbornness, resentment

13. Hasta

Name	The hand
Ruler	Moon
Symbol	Palm of the hand
Also	Blessings
Deity	Savitar, the Sun god
Sidereal	10º – 23º20 Virgo
Stars	α “Alchiba”, β “Kraz”, γ, δ “Algorab” and ε “Minkar” of Corvus
Energy	Moon and Mercury
Qualities	Clarity of thinking, creative and structured intelligence, humorous, self-development, ascetic tendencies, fragile health, stress, lack of patience, cold and calculating

14. Chitra

Name	The bright one
Ruler	Mars
Symbol	Bright jewel or pearl
Also	Opportunity, brilliant, beautiful
Deity	Tvashtar, the celestial architect
Sidereal	23º20 Virgo – 6º40 Libra
Stars	Spica of Virgo
Energy	Mars and Mercury–Venus
Qualities	Artistic, charismatic, charming, bright, prosperous, illusory, seductive, self-consciousness, egotism

15. Swati

Name	The sword
Ruler	Rahu (North Node)
Symbol	Coral
Also	Independence, self-going
Deity	Vayu, the wind demigod
Sidereal	6º40 – 20º Libra
Stars	Arcturus of Boötes
Energy	North Node and Venus–Saturn in air modality
Qualities	Survival through movement and adjustment, sensitivity, communication, self-reliance, life- and world-oriented, materialistic

16. Vishakha

Name	The forked, two branched
Ruler	Jupiter
Symbol	Triumphal arch, potter’s wheel
Also	Success, delight
Deity	Indra, chief of gods and Agni, god of fire
Sidereal	20º Libra – 3º20 Scorpio
Stars	α “Zubenelgenubi”, β “Zubeneschamali”, γ “Zubenelhakrabi” and ι of Libra
Energy	Jupiter and Venus–Mars
Qualities	Optimism, enthusiasm, faith, hope, patience, persistence, courage, anger, envy, bitterness, dictatorial

17. Anuradha

Name	The star of success
Ruler	Saturn
Symbol	Triumphal archway, lotus
Also	Worship, divine service
Deity	Mitra, deity of friendship and partnership
Sidereal	3º20 – 16º40 Scorpio
Stars	β “Acrab”, δ “Dschubba” and π “Fang” of Scorpius
Energy	Saturn and Mars–Pluto
Qualities	Knowledgeable organiser and collaborator, respect of peers, stability, fixation, melancholy, coldness, abuse of powers

18. Jyeshtha

Name	The eldest, most excellent
Ruler	Mercury
Symbol	Circular amulet, umbrella, earring
Also	Most senior, chief, eldest
Deity	Indra, chief of the gods
Sidereal	16º40 – 30º Scorpio
Stars	α “Antares”, σ “Alniyat”, and τ “Paikauhale” of Scorpius
Energy	Mercury and Mars–Pluto
Qualities	Excellence in intelligence, penetrative mind, originality and flexibility, secretiveness, scheming, arrogant

19. Mula

Name	The root, foundation
Ruler	Ketu (South Node)
Symbol	Tied bunch of roots
Also	Tail of lion, foundation
Deity	Nirriti, goddess of dissolution and destruction
Sidereal	0º – 13º20 Sagittarius
Stars	ε “Larawag”, ζ, η, θ “Sargas”, ι, κ, λ “Shaula”, μ and ν “Jabbah” of Scorpius
Energy	South Node and Pluto–Jupiter
Qualities	Philosophical, deep, mysterious, redemption, power of attraction, wealth and power, manipulation, destruction

20. Purva Ashada

Name	The invincible
Ruler	Venus
Symbol	Elephant tusk, basket
Also	Undefeated, unsubdued
Deity	Apas, god of water
Sidereal	13º20 – 26º40 Sagittarius
Stars	δ “Kaus Media” and ε “Kaus Australis” of Sagittarius
Energy	Venus and Jupiter
Qualities	High priest or priestess, spiritual, philosophical, attractive, influential, independent, hubris, haughty, obstinate

21. Uttara Ashada

Name	The later invincible
Ruler	Sun
Symbol	Elephant tusk, small bed
Also	Universal, for all humankind, victory after time passed
Deity	Vishvadevas, universal gods
Sidereal	26º40 Sagittarius – 10º Capricorn
Stars	ζ “Ascella” and σ “Nunki” of Sagittarius
Energy	Sun and Jupiter
Qualities	Spiritual seeker, leadership, magnanimity, stability, centre of power, burn out, lack of motivation

22. Shravana

Name	Hearing
Ruler	Moon
Symbol	Ear, three footprints
Also	Learning, knowledge, flow of consciousness
Deity	Vishnu, preserver of universe
Sidereal	10º – 23º20 Capricorn
Stars	α “Altair”, β “Alshain” and γ “Tarazed” of Aquila
Energy	Moon and Saturn
Qualities	Receptive to the subtle, voice and communication, teaching and educating others, studying, seclusion, rigidity, suspicion

23. Dhanishtha

Name	The most famous, superlative of hearing
Ruler	Mars
Symbol	Drum, flute
Also	Symphony, music, singing, charity
Deity	Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance
Sidereal	23º20 Capricorn – 6º40 Aquarius
Stars	α “Sualocin”, Rotanev, Al Ukud, Al Salib of Delphinus
Energy	Mars and Saturn–Uranus
Qualities	Active vision of higher realms, knowledge of the hidden, compassion, social justice, ambitions becoming obstacles, material pursuits turning greed, ruthless and cold

24. Shatabhisha

Name	The hundred physicians
Ruler	Rahu (North Node)
Symbol	Empty circle, hundred flowers or stars
Also	Regal, king-like, veiled, secluded
Deity	Varuna, god of cosmic waters, sky and earth
Sidereal	6º40 – 20º Aquarius
Stars	γ “Sadachbia” of Aquarius
Energy	North Node and Saturn–Uranus
Qualities	Higher knowledge, healing potential, vitality, independence, exclusivity, scepticism, harsh manners, isolation, loneliness

25. Purva Bhadrapada

Name	The first of the blessed feet
Ruler	Jupiter
Symbol	Swords or two front legs of bed (or funeral cot), man with two faces
Also	Burning, scorching pair
Deity	Aja Ekapada, one-footed goat
Sidereal	20º Aquarius – 3º20 Pisces
Stars	α “Markab” and β “Scheat” of Pegasus
Energy	Jupiter and Uranus
Qualities	Original, eccentric, out-of-the-box visionaries, articulated and convincing, future oriented, mavericks, rebellious, critical, highly strung nervous system

26. Uttara Bhadrapada

Name	The second of the blessed feet
Ruler	Saturn
Symbol	Twins, back legs of bed (or funeral cot)
Also	Burning, scorching pair
Deity	Ahirbudhnya, dragon of the deep sea
Sidereal	3º20 – 16º40 Pisces
Stars	γ “Algenib” of Pegasus and α “Alpheratz” of Andromeda
Energy	Saturn and Jupiter–Neptune
Qualities	Affinity with cosmos, spirituality, deep and expansive, idealistic, peaceful, lack of incarnation, indecisiveness, chaotic, substance addiction

27. Revati

Name	The wealthy
Ruler	Mercury
Symbol	Fish or pair of fish, drum
Also	Prosperous intuition
Deity	Pushan, the nurturer
Sidereal	16º40 – 30º Pisces
Stars	ζ “Revati” of Pisces
Energy	Mercury and Jupiter–Neptune
Qualities	Inspired visionary, poetic and creative gifts, compassion and empathy, messy relationships, immaturity, naïveté, sense of irrelevance and inferiority, difficulties with self-identification

Abhijit

The Abhijit nakshatra does not belong to the standard 27 nakshatras. It is the remnant of the ancient 28 nakshatra system. Abhijit enjoys a special popular attention for perhaps purely nostalgic reasons. There has to be something “extra special” after all. Abhijit is the 22nd nakshatra of the 28 nakshatra system.

From the experiential sky gazing standpoint Abhijit isn’t that prominent or active as it is based on the asterism of the star Vega of the constellation of Lyra that is exceedingly far from the path travelled by the Moon. The ecliptic latitude of Vega is about 62º and the Moon never ventures further than just a few degrees from the ecliptic plane, its maximum inclination is 5.30º

Notice how much the Abhijit asterism image had to be zoomed out compared to other nakshatra images in order to fit Vega into the view.

When mapped onto the standard 27 nakshatras, the boundaries of Abhijit overlap with the last quarter of Uttara Ashadha (#21) and extend to the first 1/15th segment of Shravana (#22).

The Nakshatras calculator

Track the nakshatras (lunar mansions) of the Moon and other planets of astrological chart using a Home Screen widget and an app extension. Explore the add-on…