The 27 nakshatras explained for parents choosing a name
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Many Hindu families start a baby’s name with a syllable taken from the nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth. This guide introduces all 27 nakshatras: where each sits in the zodiac, its ruling planet, presiding deity and symbol, the qualities tradition links with it, and its four naming syllables.
What a nakshatra is
A nakshatra is one of 27 equal divisions of the zodiac, each 13°20′ wide and named after a star or small group of stars near the Moon’s path. The Moon passes through all 27 in about 27.3 days, spending roughly a day in each, which is why they are also called lunar mansions. Their positions are measured in the sidereal zodiac, which is tied to the stars (see sidereal and tropical zodiacs).
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′, and each pada has its own syllable. The janma nakshatra, the Moon’s nakshatra at birth, together with its pada gives the syllable a nakshatra name traditionally begins with. All 108 syllables are on the nakshatra letters chart.
How to read each entry
- Zodiac span: where the nakshatra begins and ends, by rashi and degree. 9 of the 27 cross from one rashi into the next.
- Ruling planet: the planet that governs the nakshatra in the Vimshottari dasha system (see why the ruling planets repeat).
- Presiding deity: the deity the Vedic tradition associates with the nakshatra.
- Symbol: the image traditionally used to represent it.
- Naming syllables: the syllables of its four padas, in English letters and Devanagari, linked to the chart.
The 27 nakshatras at a glance
| Nakshatra | Zodiac span | Ruling planet | Presiding deity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ashwini अश्विनी | Mesh 0°00′ to 13°20′ | Ketu | The Ashvins |
| 2. Bharani भरणी | Mesh 13°20′ to 26°40′ | Venus | Yama |
| 3. Krittika कृत्तिका | Mesh 26°40′ to Vrishabh 10°00′ | Sun | Agni |
| 4. Rohini रोहिणी | Vrishabh 10°00′ to 23°20′ | Moon | Prajapati (Brahma) |
| 5. Mrigashira मृगशिरा | Vrishabh 23°20′ to Mithun 6°40′ | Mars | Soma (Chandra) |
| 6. Ardra आर्द्रा | Mithun 6°40′ to 20°00′ | Rahu | Rudra |
| 7. Punarvasu पुनर्वसु | Mithun 20°00′ to Kark 3°20′ | Jupiter | Aditi |
| 8. Pushya पुष्य | Kark 3°20′ to 16°40′ | Saturn | Brihaspati |
| 9. Ashlesha आश्लेषा | Kark 16°40′ to 30°00′ | Mercury | The Nagas |
| 10. Magha मघा | Singh 0°00′ to 13°20′ | Ketu | The Pitrs |
| 11. Purva Phalguni पूर्वा फाल्गुनी | Singh 13°20′ to 26°40′ | Venus | Bhaga |
| 12. Uttara Phalguni उत्तरा फाल्गुनी | Singh 26°40′ to Kanya 10°00′ | Sun | Aryaman |
| 13. Hasta हस्त | Kanya 10°00′ to 23°20′ | Moon | Savitr |
| 14. Chitra चित्रा | Kanya 23°20′ to Tula 6°40′ | Mars | Tvashtr |
| 15. Swati स्वाति | Tula 6°40′ to 20°00′ | Rahu | Vayu |
| 16. Vishakha विशाखा | Tula 20°00′ to Vrishchik 3°20′ | Jupiter | Indra and Agni |
| 17. Anuradha अनुराधा | Vrishchik 3°20′ to 16°40′ | Saturn | Mitra |
| 18. Jyeshtha ज्येष्ठा | Vrishchik 16°40′ to 30°00′ | Mercury | Indra |
| 19. Mula मूल | Dhanu 0°00′ to 13°20′ | Ketu | Nirriti |
| 20. Purva Ashadha पूर्वाषाढ़ा | Dhanu 13°20′ to 26°40′ | Venus | Apas |
| 21. Uttara Ashadha उत्तराषाढ़ा | Dhanu 26°40′ to Makar 10°00′ | Sun | The Vishvedevas |
| 22. Shravana श्रवण | Makar 10°00′ to 23°20′ | Moon | Vishnu |
| 23. Dhanishta धनिष्ठा | Makar 23°20′ to Kumbh 6°40′ | Mars | The eight Vasus |
| 24. Shatabhisha शतभिषा | Kumbh 6°40′ to 20°00′ | Rahu | Varuna |
| 25. Purva Bhadrapada पूर्वा भाद्रपद | Kumbh 20°00′ to Meen 3°20′ | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada |
| 26. Uttara Bhadrapada उत्तरा भाद्रपद | Meen 3°20′ to 16°40′ | Saturn | Ahirbudhnya |
| 27. Revati रेवती | Meen 16°40′ to 30°00′ | Mercury | Pushan |
Each nakshatra in detail
1. Ashwini अश्विनी
- Zodiac span
- Mesh 0°00′ to 13°20′
- Ruling planet
- Ketu
- Presiding deity
- The Ashvins, twin horsemen and physicians of the gods.
- Symbol
- A horse’s head.
- Naming syllables
- Chu चू, Che चे, Cho चो, La ला (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Its name links it with horses, and through the Ashvins with healing and help that arrives quickly. As the first nakshatra it is traditionally associated with speed, initiative and fresh starts.
2. Bharani भरणी
- Zodiac span
- Mesh 13°20′ to 26°40′
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- Presiding deity
- Yama, keeper of dharma and lord of the departed.
- Symbol
- The yoni (womb).
- Naming syllables
- Li ली, Lu लू, Le ले, Lo लो (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Bharani means “the bearer”. It is associated with carrying and holding: bringing things to birth, self-restraint and seeing a duty through, themes drawn from Yama’s role as the keeper of dharma.
3. Krittika कृत्तिका
- Zodiac span
- Mesh 26°40′ to Vrishabh 10°00′
- Ruling planet
- Sun
- Presiding deity
- Agni, the god of fire.
- Symbol
- A razor or blade; some texts give a flame.
- Naming syllables
- A अ, I इ, U उ, E ए (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Krittika is the star cluster known in English as the Pleiades. Through Agni it is associated with the sharp, purifying quality of fire; in story its stars are the six foster mothers of Kartikeya, which gives it a nurturing side as well.
4. Rohini रोहिणी
- Zodiac span
- Vrishabh 10°00′ to 23°20′
- Ruling planet
- Moon
- Presiding deity
- Prajapati (Brahma), the creator.
- Symbol
- A chariot or ox-cart.
- Naming syllables
- O ओ, Va वा, Vi वी, Vu वू (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Rohini, “the red one”, is identified with the bright star Aldebaran. It is associated with growth, fertility, beauty and abundance, and in myth Rohini is the Moon’s favourite among his twenty-seven wives.
5. Mrigashira मृगशिरा
- Zodiac span
- Vrishabh 23°20′ to Mithun 6°40′
- Ruling planet
- Mars
- Presiding deity
- Soma (Chandra), the Moon.
- Symbol
- A deer’s head.
- Naming syllables
- Ve वे, Vo वो, Ka का, Ki की (padas 1–4 on the chart)
The name means “deer’s head”. It is associated with searching and curiosity, the gentle alertness of a deer, and with Soma, the Moon.
6. Ardra आर्द्रा
- Zodiac span
- Mithun 6°40′ to 20°00′
- Ruling planet
- Rahu
- Presiding deity
- Rudra, the storm form of Shiva.
- Symbol
- A teardrop; some texts give a gem.
- Naming syllables
- Ku कू, Gha घ, Ng ङ, Chha छ (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Ardra means “moist” and is traditionally identified with the bright star Betelgeuse. Through Rudra it is associated with storms and with the clearing and fresh growth that follow rain.
7. Punarvasu पुनर्वसु
- Zodiac span
- Mithun 20°00′ to Kark 3°20′
- Ruling planet
- Jupiter
- Presiding deity
- Aditi, the boundless mother of the gods.
- Symbol
- A quiver of arrows; some texts give a bow.
- Naming syllables
- Ke के, Ko को, Ha हा, Hi ही (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Punarvasu means “good again”, the return of light or plenty. It is associated with renewal, coming home and restoration, under Aditi, the boundless mother.
8. Pushya पुष्य
- Zodiac span
- Kark 3°20′ to 16°40′
- Ruling planet
- Saturn
- Presiding deity
- Brihaspati, teacher of the gods.
- Symbol
- A cow’s udder; some texts give a flower or an arrow.
- Naming syllables
- Hu हू, He हे, Ho हो, Da डा (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Pushya means “nourishing”. Under Brihaspati, teacher of the gods, it is associated with nourishment, care, protection and learning.
9. Ashlesha आश्लेषा
- Zodiac span
- Kark 16°40′ to 30°00′
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- Presiding deity
- The Nagas, the serpent deities.
- Symbol
- A coiled serpent.
- Naming syllables
- Di डी, Du डू, De डे, Do डो (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Ashlesha means “the embrace” or “the entwining”. Its serpent deities link it with intuition, close attachment and hidden depths.
10. Magha मघा
- Zodiac span
- Singh 0°00′ to 13°20′
- Ruling planet
- Ketu
- Presiding deity
- The Pitrs, the ancestors.
- Symbol
- A royal throne; some texts give a palanquin.
- Naming syllables
- Ma मा, Mi मी, Mu मू, Me मे (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Magha, “the bountiful”, contains the bright star Regulus. Under the Pitrs it is associated with lineage, ancestry and honouring family tradition.
11. Purva Phalguni पूर्वा फाल्गुनी
- Zodiac span
- Singh 13°20′ to 26°40′
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- Presiding deity
- Bhaga, the Aditya of good fortune and shared enjoyment.
- Symbol
- The front legs of a bed; some texts give a hammock.
- Naming syllables
- Mo मो, Ta टा, Ti टी, Tu टू (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Purva Phalguni is the first of the two Phalguni nakshatras. Under Bhaga it is associated with rest, enjoyment, affection and creativity; the bed in its symbol stands for leisure and union.
12. Uttara Phalguni उत्तरा फाल्गुनी
- Zodiac span
- Singh 26°40′ to Kanya 10°00′
- Ruling planet
- Sun
- Presiding deity
- Aryaman, the Aditya of friendship, hospitality and marriage customs.
- Symbol
- The back legs of a bed.
- Naming syllables
- Te टे, To टो, Pa पा, Pi पी (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Uttara Phalguni is the second and steadier half of the pair. Under Aryaman it is associated with partnership, kindness, patronage and keeping one’s commitments.
13. Hasta हस्त
- Zodiac span
- Kanya 10°00′ to 23°20′
- Ruling planet
- Moon
- Presiding deity
- Savitr, the Sun as the power that stirs life.
- Symbol
- A hand.
- Naming syllables
- Pu पू, Sha ष, Na ण, Tha ठ (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Hasta means “hand”. It is associated with skill, craft and resourcefulness, and with Savitr, the Sun as the power that sets things in motion.
14. Chitra चित्रा
- Zodiac span
- Kanya 23°20′ to Tula 6°40′
- Ruling planet
- Mars
- Presiding deity
- Tvashtr, the divine craftsman. Some lists name Vishvakarma, the divine architect.
- Symbol
- A bright jewel or pearl.
- Naming syllables
- Pe पे, Po पो, Ra रा, Ri री (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Chitra means “bright” or “brilliant” and marks the star Spica. Under Tvashtr, the divine craftsman, it is associated with design, beauty and fine workmanship.
15. Swati स्वाति
- Zodiac span
- Tula 6°40′ to 20°00′
- Ruling planet
- Rahu
- Presiding deity
- Vayu, the god of the wind.
- Symbol
- A young shoot swaying in the wind; some texts give coral.
- Naming syllables
- Ru रू, Re रे, Ro रो, Ta ता (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Swati is traditionally identified with the star Arcturus. Under Vayu, the wind, it is associated with independence, flexibility and movement, like a young shoot that bends without breaking.
16. Vishakha विशाखा
- Zodiac span
- Tula 20°00′ to Vrishchik 3°20′
- Ruling planet
- Jupiter
- Presiding deity
- Indra and Agni, the king of the gods and the god of fire, honoured together.
- Symbol
- A triumphal archway (torana); some texts give a potter’s wheel.
- Naming syllables
- Ti ती, Tu तू, Te ते, To तो (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Vishakha means “branched” or “forked”. Under Indra and Agni together it is associated with purpose, determination and reaching a chosen goal.
17. Anuradha अनुराधा
- Zodiac span
- Vrishchik 3°20′ to 16°40′
- Ruling planet
- Saturn
- Presiding deity
- Mitra, the Aditya of friendship and agreements.
- Symbol
- A lotus; some texts give a triumphal archway.
- Naming syllables
- Na ना, Ni नी, Nu नू, Ne ने (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Anuradha means “following Radha”, Radha being another name for Vishakha, the nakshatra before it. Under Mitra it is associated with friendship, devotion and cooperation.
18. Jyeshtha ज्येष्ठा
- Zodiac span
- Vrishchik 16°40′ to 30°00′
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- Presiding deity
- Indra, the king of the gods.
- Symbol
- A round amulet or earring; some texts give an umbrella or a boar’s tusk.
- Naming syllables
- No नो, Ya या, Yi यी, Yu यू (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Jyeshtha means “the eldest” and is traditionally identified with the red star Antares. Under Indra, king of the gods, it is associated with seniority, protectiveness and responsibility.
19. Mula मूल
- Zodiac span
- Dhanu 0°00′ to 13°20′
- Ruling planet
- Ketu
- Presiding deity
- Nirriti, the goddess of dissolution. Some texts, such as the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, name the rakshasas instead.
- Symbol
- A bunch of roots tied together; some texts give an elephant goad.
- Naming syllables
- Ye ये, Yo यो, Bha भा, Bhi भी (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Mula means “root”. It is associated with getting to the root of things, with foundations and with letting go of what is no longer needed, themes drawn from Nirriti, who presides over dissolution.
20. Purva Ashadha पूर्वाषाढ़ा
- Zodiac span
- Dhanu 13°20′ to 26°40′
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- Presiding deity
- Apas, the cosmic waters. Some texts name Varuna, lord of the waters.
- Symbol
- A hand fan; some texts give an elephant tusk or a winnowing basket.
- Naming syllables
- Bhu भू, Dha धा, Pha फा, Dha ढा (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Ashadha means “the unconquered”. The first Ashadha, under the cosmic waters, is associated with energy, conviction and renewal, like water that refreshes and purifies.
21. Uttara Ashadha उत्तराषाढ़ा
- Zodiac span
- Dhanu 26°40′ to Makar 10°00′
- Ruling planet
- Sun
- Presiding deity
- The Vishvedevas, the universal gods.
- Symbol
- An elephant’s tusk; some texts give a small bed.
- Naming syllables
- Bhe भे, Bho भो, Ja जा, Ji जी (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Uttara Ashadha is the second of the two Ashadhas. Under the Vishvedevas, the universal gods, it is associated with lasting achievement and patient, principled effort.
22. Shravana श्रवण
- Zodiac span
- Makar 10°00′ to 23°20′
- Ruling planet
- Moon
- Presiding deity
- Vishnu, the preserver.
- Symbol
- Three footprints; some texts give an ear.
- Naming syllables
- Khi खी, Khu खू, Khe खे, Kho खो (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Shravana means “hearing” and is traditionally identified with the star Altair. Under Vishnu it is associated with listening, learning and connection; the three footprints of its symbol recall Vishnu’s three strides.
23. Dhanishta धनिष्ठा
- Zodiac span
- Makar 23°20′ to Kumbh 6°40′
- Ruling planet
- Mars
- Presiding deity
- The eight Vasus, the gods of the elements and of abundance.
- Symbol
- A drum; some texts give a flute.
- Naming syllables
- Ga गा, Gi गी, Gu गू, Ge गे (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Dhanishta means “most wealthy”; it is also called Shravishtha, “most famous”. Under the eight Vasus it is associated with rhythm, music and abundance.
24. Shatabhisha शतभिषा
- Zodiac span
- Kumbh 6°40′ to 20°00′
- Ruling planet
- Rahu
- Presiding deity
- Varuna, the god of the waters and of cosmic order.
- Symbol
- An empty circle.
- Naming syllables
- Go गो, Sa सा, Si सी, Su सू (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Shatabhisha means “a hundred physicians”. Under Varuna, god of the waters, it is associated with healing, quiet inquiry and self-reliance.
25. Purva Bhadrapada पूर्वा भाद्रपद
- Zodiac span
- Kumbh 20°00′ to Meen 3°20′
- Ruling planet
- Jupiter
- Presiding deity
- Aja Ekapada, “the one-footed goat” (aja can also mean “unborn”), a form linked with Rudra.
- Symbol
- The front legs of a bier; some texts give a two-faced man or a sword.
- Naming syllables
- Se से, So सो, Da दा, Di दी (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Bhadrapada means “auspicious feet”. Purva Bhadrapada, the first of the pair, is presided over by Aja Ekapada and associated with intensity, idealism and transformation.
26. Uttara Bhadrapada उत्तरा भाद्रपद
- Zodiac span
- Meen 3°20′ to 16°40′
- Ruling planet
- Saturn
- Presiding deity
- Ahirbudhnya, the serpent of the depths.
- Symbol
- The back legs of a bier; some texts give twins or a serpent in the water.
- Naming syllables
- Du दू, Tha थ, Jha झ, Na ञ (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Uttara Bhadrapada is the second of the pair. Under Ahirbudhnya, the serpent of the depths, it is associated with depth, calm and steadiness, like still water beneath a storm.
27. Revati रेवती
- Zodiac span
- Meen 16°40′ to 30°00′
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- Presiding deity
- Pushan, the nourisher, protector of travellers and herds.
- Symbol
- A fish; some texts give a pair of fish or a drum.
- Naming syllables
- De दे, Do दो, Cha चा, Chi ची (padas 1–4 on the chart)
Revati means “wealthy” or “prosperous” and is the last nakshatra. Under Pushan, protector of travellers, it is associated with nourishment, safe journeys and care for others.
Why the ruling planets repeat
The ruling planets follow the order of the Vimshottari dasha: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. The sequence runs three times around the zodiac, so each planet rules three nakshatras spaced nine apart:
- Ketu: Ashwini, Magha, Mula
- Venus: Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha
- Sun: Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha
- Moon: Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
- Mars: Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta
- Rahu: Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha
- Jupiter: Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada
- Saturn: Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada
- Mercury: Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati
A nakshatra’s ruling planet is not the same thing as the lord of the rashi it lies in. Krittika, for example, is ruled by the Sun but lies partly in Mesh, whose lord is Mars, and partly in Vrishabh, whose lord is Venus. The 12 rashis guide lists the rashi lords.
Abhijit, the 28th nakshatra
Some Vedic lists, such as the Atharvaveda’s, count 28 nakshatras, with Abhijit between Uttara Ashadha and Shravana. The 27-nakshatra scheme used for birth charts and for the naming tables leaves Abhijit out and shares the zodiac equally among the other 27, though Abhijit is still used in some other branches of tradition, such as choosing auspicious times. Abhijit’s old syllables explain one of the regional variants in Shravana’s row of the chart.
Frequently asked questions
Does the name have to reflect the nakshatra's deity or symbol?
No. The naming custom is about the starting sound: the syllable of the pada the Moon occupied at birth. Some families like a name that also connects with the nakshatra's deity or symbol, but that is a personal choice, not a rule.
Why do books give different symbols for the same nakshatra?
The deities come from an old Vedic list that most later texts repeat, so they rarely differ. The symbols were never fixed in one authoritative list, so different books and regions picture the same nakshatra in different ways. This page gives a common symbol first and the usual alternatives after it.
Is the nakshatra's ruling planet the same as the lord of the baby's rashi?
Not necessarily. The ruling planet listed here belongs to the nakshatra and comes from the Vimshottari dasha sequence; the rashi lord belongs to the sign. They often differ: Pushya's ruling planet is Saturn, while Kark, the rashi it lies in, is ruled by the Moon.
Are some nakshatras better for a baby than others?
This guide does not rank nakshatras. Each has its own traditional associations and its own naming syllables. Some families follow customs tied to particular birth stars, such as special prayers after the birth; if that matters to your family, ask the priest or elder guiding the naming ceremony.