What is a Rashi?
In Vedic astrology, a Rashi(literally “heap” or “sign”) is one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each spanning 30 degrees. Your Rashi is determined by the position of the Moon at the exact time of your birth — making it the Moon Sign, the primary reference point in Vedic astrology.
Unlike Western astrology, which centres on the Sun sign, Vedic astrology (Jyotish) gives primacy to the Moon because the Moon governs the mind (Manas), emotions, instincts, and the subconscious. Your Rashi reveals your natural temperament, emotional responses, and the patterns your life tends to follow.
The 12 Rashis are further classified by element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), quality (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), and ruling planet. Together, these attributes create the rich personality tapestry that each Rashi brings. Each Rashi also contains 2¼ Nakshatras (birth stars), adding another layer of nuance to your chart.
The Rashi you belong to influences not only your personality but also your compatibility with others, career aptitude, health tendencies, and even the timing of major life events through planetary periods (Dashas) and transits.