The 27 Nakshatras & Their Core Attributes
1. Ashwini (0°00' - 13°20' Aries)
• Ruling Planet: Ketu• Symbol: Horse's Head
• Core Traits: Swift, energetic, pioneering, spontaneous, healing nature. Always ready to jump into new beginnings.
2. Bharani (13°20' - 26°40' Aries)
• Ruling Planet: Venus• Symbol: Yoni (Female Reproductive Organ)
• Core Traits: Passionate, transformative, creative, intense, protective. Associated with birth, growth and endurance.
3. Krittika (26°40' Aries - 10°00' Taurus)
• Ruling Planet: Sun• Symbol: Razor or Flame
• Core Traits: Sharp, ambitious, sharp-tongued, purifying, highly focused. Cuts through negativity to reach the truth.
4. Rohini (10°00' - 23°20' Taurus)
• Ruling Planet: Moon• Symbol: Chariot or Banyan Tree
• Core Traits: Charming, artistic, grounded, materialistic, persuasive. Known for beauty, magnetism and creative expression.
5. Mrigashira (23°20' Taurus - 6°40' Gemini)
• Ruling Planet: Mars• Symbol: Deer's Head
• Core Traits: Curious, restless, analytical, inquisitive, original. A constant seeker of knowledge and experience.
6. Ardra (6°40' - 20°00' Gemini)
• Ruling Planet: Rahu• Symbol: Teardrop or Diamond
• Core Traits: Intense, emotional, intellectual, transformative. Experiences emotional storms that lead to breakthrough breakthroughs.
7. Punarvasu (20°00' Gemini - 3°20' Cancer)
• Ruling Planet: Jupiter• Symbol: Quiver of Arrows
• Core Traits: Nurturing, optimistic, resilient, forgiving, wise. Marked by the ability to bounce back after setbacks.
8. Pushya (3°20' - 16°40' Cancer)
• Ruling Planet: Saturn• Symbol: Cow’s Udder or Lotus
• Core Traits: Highly spiritual, caring, protective, patient, stable. Widely considered one of the most auspicious stars for spiritual growth.
9. Ashlesha (16°40' - 30°00' Cancer)
• Ruling Planet: Mercury• Symbol: Coiled Serpent
• Core Traits: Intuitive, strategic, secretive, deeply hypnotic, sharp-witted. Exceptionally sharp instincts and psychological depth.
10. Magha (0°00' - 13°20' Leo)
• Ruling Planet: Ketu• Symbol: Royal Throne
• Core Traits: Regal, proud, leadership-oriented, traditional, connected to ancestral roots and legacy.
11. Purva Phalguni (13°20' - 26°40' Leo)
• Ruling Planet: Venus• Symbol: Front Legs of a Bed or Hammock
• Core Traits: Joyful, creative, relaxed, social, luxury-loving. Focused on relationships, comfort and the arts.
12. Uttara Phalguni (26°40' Leo - 10°00' Virgo)
• Ruling Planet: Sun• Symbol: Back Legs of a Bed
• Core Traits: Reliable, generous, honorable, community-minded. Driven by a desire to serve, build commitments and create stability.
13. Hasta (10°00' - 23°20' Virgo)
• Ruling Planet: Moon• Symbol: Open Hand or Fist
• Core Traits: Skilled with hands, witty, resourceful, detail-oriented, adaptable. Great for craftsmanship, healing and clever problem-solving.
14. Chitra (23°20' Virgo - 6°40' Libra)
• Ruling Planet: Mars• Symbol: Bright Jewel or Pearl
• Core Traits: Artistic, magnetic, design-focused, dynamic, charismatic. Loved for creating beauty and visual structure.
15. Swati (6°40' - 20°00' Libra)
• Ruling Planet: Rahu• Symbol: Young Plant Swaying in the Wind
• Core Traits: Independent, diplomatic, flexible, freedom-loving, skilled in trade and communication.
16. Vishakha (20°00' Libra - 3°20' Scorpio)
• Ruling Planet: Jupiter• Symbol: Triumphal Arch or Potter's Wheel
• Core Traits: Goal-driven, persistent, competitive, ambitious, single-minded. Works tirelessly to achieve targets.
17. Anuradha (3°20' - 16°40' Scorpio)
• Ruling Planet: Saturn• Symbol: Lotus or Triumphal Arch
• Core Traits: Devoted, friendly, resilient, spiritual, capable of thriving in harsh conditions through loyalty and partnership.
18. Jyeshtha (16°40' - 30°00' Scorpio)
• Ruling Planet: Mercury• Symbol: Circular Amulet or Earring
• Core Traits: Protective, authoritative, proud, sharp, intuitive. Natural leader with a strong drive to safeguard loved ones.
19. Mula (0°00' - 13°20' Sagittarius)
• Ruling Planet: Ketu• Symbol: Tied Bunch of Roots
• Core Traits: Investigative, radical, transformative, deep-thinking. Digs straight to the root cause of every situation.
20. Purva Ashadha (13°20' - 26°40' Sagittarius)
• Ruling Planet: Venus• Symbol: Winnowing Fan or Elephant Tusk
• Core Traits: Invincible, optimistic, philosophical, influential. Possesses deep inner confidence and persuasive power.
21. Uttara Ashadha (26°40' Sagittarius - 10°00' Capricorn)
• Ruling Planet: Sun• Symbol: Elephant Tusk or Small Bed
• Core Traits: Righteous, patient, highly disciplined, enduring. Focused on long-term achievement and universal justice.
22. Shravana (10°00' - 23°20' Capricorn)
• Ruling Planet: Moon• Symbol: Three Footprints or Ear
• Core Traits: Excellent listener, scholar, observant, wise, communicative. Driven by a thirst for learning and oral traditions.
23. Dhanishta (23°20' Capricorn - 6°40' Aquarius)
• Ruling Planet: Mars• Symbol: Drum or Flute
• Core Traits: Musical, wealthy, influential, rhythmic, sociable. Connects naturally with timing, music and group dynamics.
24. Shatabhisha (6°40' - 20°00' Aquarius)
• Ruling Planet: Rahu• Symbol: Empty Circle or 100 Physicians
• Core Traits: Secretive, analytical, visionary, healing-oriented. Strong affinity for medicine, technology and solitude.
25. Purva Bhadrapada (20°00' Aquarius - 3°20' Pisces)
• Ruling Planet: Jupiter• Symbol: Sword or Two-Headed Man
• Core Traits: Eccentric, passionate, intense, spiritual, unconventional. Possesses deep mystical depth and transformative drive.
26. Uttara Bhadrapada (3°20' - 16°40' Pisces)
• Ruling Planet: Saturn• Symbol: Twin in the Deep Waters or Funeral Cot
• Core Traits: Calm, wise, compassionate, meditative, self-controlled. Natural depth and affinity for deep contemplation.
27. Revati (16°40' - 30°00' Pisces)
• Ruling Planet: Mercury• Symbol: Fish or Drum
• Core Traits: Gentle, empathetic, imaginative, protective, artistic. Represents the ultimate completion of the zodiac journey.
The 27 Nakshatras aren't just labels - they are a dynamic lens through which you can better understand your natural strengths, emotional triggers and life lessons. As you continue exploring Vedic astrology, remember that your Moon Nakshatra is just the starting point. Planetary transits, your Rising sign (Lagna) Nakshatra, and current Dasha cycles all layer together to write your unique cosmic story.
Next read: Types of Dashas in Vedic Astrology