12 Zodiac Signs (Rashis)

The 12 Signs of the Vedic Zodiac

The zodiac is divided into 12 rashis (signs), each spanning 30 degrees. Each rashi has a unique element, quality, ruling planet, and personality. Understanding your rashi is the foundation of Vedic astrology.

12 Signs4 Elements3 Qualities9 Ruling Planets

What is a rashi?

A rashi is one 30-degree segment of the Vedic sidereal zodiac. Jyotish uses rashis to describe how planets, the Moon, Lagna, and nakshatras express themselves in a birth chart.

Vedic vs Western zodiac

Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac with ayanamsa correction, while Western sun-sign astrology usually uses the tropical zodiac tied to seasons. That is why a Western sun sign may differ from a Vedic Moon or Lagna rashi.

Moon sign vs Sun sign vs Lagna

Your Moon sign shows mind and emotional patterning, Sun sign shows vitality and authority, and Lagna shows body, identity, and life direction. A complete reading weighs all three instead of using date ranges alone.

How rashis link with nakshatras

Each rashi contains 30 degrees, and the 27 nakshatras divide the same zodiac into 13°20′ lunar mansions. A rashi gives the field; the nakshatra gives a finer psychological and karmic texture.

How to find your Vedic rashi

Do not use Western date ranges to decide your Vedic rashi. Your Moon sign and Lagna need your birth date, exact birth time, birthplace, and ayanamsa. Start with a birth chart, then read the rashi pages as interpretation guides.

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12-rashi comparison table

Rashi	Sanskrit	Element	Quality	Ruler
♈Aries	Mesha	Fire	Cardinal	Mars
♉Taurus	Vrishabha	Earth	Fixed	Venus
♊Gemini	Mithuna	Air	Mutable	Mercury
♋Cancer	Karka	Water	Cardinal	Moon
♌Leo	Simha	Fire	Fixed	Sun
♍Virgo	Kanya	Earth	Mutable	Mercury
♎Libra	Tula	Air	Cardinal	Venus
♏Scorpio	Vrishchika	Water	Fixed	Mars
♐Sagittarius	Dhanu	Fire	Mutable	Jupiter
♑Capricorn	Makara	Earth	Cardinal	Saturn
♒Aquarius	Kumbha	Air	Fixed	Saturn
♓Pisces	Meena	Water	Mutable	Jupiter

Methodology and safety notes

Source and Methodology

Classical framing follows Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, Saravali, Jaimini Sutras, and B. V. Raman references where applicable.
Vedic zodiac references are sidereal. Calculations and celebrity Moon-sign examples use Lahiri ayanamsa unless stated otherwise.
Celebrity birth data should be read with source quality in mind; AstroDatabank Rodden ratings and AstroSage references can still contain uncertainty.
Gemstones and medical astrology are educational signals, not prescriptions. Do not wear a gemstone or make health decisions from rashi alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 12 zodiac signs in Vedic astrology?

The 12 zodiac signs, or rashis, are Aries (Mesha), Taurus (Vrishabha), Gemini (Mithuna), Cancer (Karka), Leo (Simha), Virgo (Kanya), Libra (Tula), Scorpio (Vrishchika), Sagittarius (Dhanu), Capricorn (Makara), Aquarius (Kumbha), and Pisces (Meena). Each spans 30 degrees of the sidereal zodiac.

How are Vedic zodiac signs different from Western zodiac signs?

Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, corrected through ayanamsa, while Western astrology usually uses the tropical zodiac based on seasons. Because of precession, there is roughly a 23 to 24 degree difference today.

Can I find my Vedic rashi from my date range?

No. Western date ranges are only a sun-sign reference. Your Vedic Moon sign and Lagna require birth date, exact birth time, birthplace, and the ayanamsa used for calculation.

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