The 27 Nakshatra Profiles

Ashwini is the first Nakshatra, so it carries a strong initiating quality. Its connection with the Ashwini Kumaras, the divine physicians, gives it themes of healing, speed, rescue and getting things moving.

Deity Ashwini Kumaras · Symbol Horse head · Gana Deva · Yoni Horse · Nadi Adi · Colour Blood red · Direction South

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Bharani is associated with Yama and the power to contain, carry and transform. The yoni symbol points to creation, birth, responsibility and the ability to hold something through a difficult process.

Deity Yama · Symbol Yoni / womb · Gana Manushya · Yoni Elephant · Nadi Madhya · Colour Blood red · Direction West

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Krittika is ruled by Agni, the fire principle. Its razor-like symbolism gives it the ability to cut through confusion, separate useful from useless and purify.

Deity Agni · Symbol Razor / flame · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Sheep · Nadi Antya · Colour White · Direction North

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Rohini is associated with Brahma and the creative principle. It is strongly connected with growth, fertility, beauty, nourishment, material development and attraction.

Deity Brahma · Symbol Chariot / cart · Gana Manushya · Yoni Serpent · Nadi Antya · Colour White · Direction East

Mrigashira carries the image of the deer searching for something. It is curious, observant, gentle and rarely satisfied with superficial answers.

Deity Soma · Symbol Deer's head · Gana Deva · Yoni Serpent · Nadi Madhya · Colour Silver grey · Direction South

Ardra is ruled by Rudra, the fierce transformative aspect of Shiva. Its storm symbolism represents pressure, tears, destruction of what is no longer useful and the clearing that follows.

Deity Rudra · Symbol Teardrop / diamond · Gana Manushya · Yoni Dog · Nadi Adi · Colour Green · Direction West

Punarvasu is connected with Aditi, the expansive mother principle. Its central theme is returning to light, restoring what was lost and finding simplicity after experience.

Deity Aditi · Symbol Bow / quiver · Gana Deva · Yoni Cat · Nadi Adi · Colour Lead / steel grey · Direction North

Pushya is associated with Brihaspati, the divine teacher. It combines nourishment with discipline and is traditionally regarded as supportive for learning, teaching and constructive activity.

Deity Brihaspati · Symbol Cow's udder / flower · Gana Deva · Yoni Sheep · Nadi Madhya · Colour Black mixed with red · Direction East

Ashlesha is associated with the Nagas and the imagery of the coiled serpent. It relates to subtle perception, binding, strategy, psychological depth and the ability to see beneath appearances.

Deity Nagas · Symbol Coiled serpent · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Cat · Nadi Antya · Colour Black mixed with red · Direction South

Magha is governed by the Pitris, the ancestors. Its throne symbol gives themes of heritage, authority, tradition, recognition and responsibility toward lineage.

Deity Pitris · Symbol Throne / palanquin · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Rat · Nadi Antya · Colour Ivory / cream · Direction West

Purva Phalguni is connected with Bhaga, associated with enjoyment, prosperity and the sharing of life's pleasures. The bed/hammock symbolism highlights rest, creativity and relationship.

Deity Bhaga · Symbol Front legs of bed / hammock · Gana Manushya · Yoni Rat · Nadi Madhya · Colour Light brown · Direction North

Uttara Phalguni is ruled by Aryaman, associated with friendship, alliances, patronage and social contracts. It moves from enjoyment toward responsibility and lasting commitment.

Deity Aryaman · Symbol Back legs of bed · Gana Manushya · Yoni Cow · Nadi Adi · Colour Bright blue · Direction East

Hasta is linked with Savitar and symbolised by the hand. It represents skill, dexterity, organisation, practical intelligence and the ability to take something into one's hands and shape it.

Deity Savitar · Symbol Hand / palm · Gana Deva · Yoni Buffalo · Nadi Adi · Colour Deep green · Direction South

Chitra is associated with Tvashtar/Vishwakarma, the divine architect. Its jewel symbolism gives a strong attraction to design, refinement, visual identity and making something distinctive.

Deity Tvashtar / Vishwakarma · Symbol Bright jewel · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Tiger · Nadi Madhya · Colour Black · Direction West

Swati is governed by Vayu, the wind principle. It represents movement, independence, adaptability and a young plant learning to stand on its own.

Deity Vayu · Symbol Young sprout / coral · Gana Deva · Yoni Buffalo · Nadi Antya · Colour Black · Direction North

Vishakha combines Indra and Agni, giving ambition, competitive energy and the ability to pursue a chosen goal with intensity.

Deity Indra-Agni · Symbol Archway / triumphal gate · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Tiger · Nadi Antya · Colour Golden · Direction East

Anuradha is ruled by Mitra, the principle of friendship and alliance. The lotus symbolism reflects the ability to maintain inner beauty and devotion through difficult environments.

Deity Mitra · Symbol Lotus / staff · Gana Deva · Yoni Deer · Nadi Madhya · Colour Reddish brown · Direction South

Jyeshtha is connected with Indra and carries the meaning of seniority or the eldest. Its umbrella/talisman symbolism suggests protection, authority and responsibility.

Deity Indra · Symbol Earring / umbrella · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Deer · Nadi Adi · Colour Cream · Direction West

Mula literally points toward the root. Associated with Nirriti, it is often misunderstood as simply negative. Its deeper function is to go underneath appearances, remove what is false and find the root cause.

Deity Nirriti · Symbol Tied roots · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Dog · Nadi Adi · Colour Brownish yellow · Direction North

Purva Ashadha is connected with Apah, the water principle. Water cleanses, adapts and persists. The Nakshatra often carries strong conviction and the belief that it can overcome obstacles.

Deity Apah · Symbol Fan / water · Gana Manushya · Yoni Monkey · Nadi Madhya · Colour Black · Direction East

Uttara Ashadha is associated with the Vishvadevas, the universal principles. It is connected with final victory, responsibility, ethics and achievements that endure.

Deity Vishvadevas · Symbol Elephant tusk / planks · Gana Manushya · Yoni Mongoose · Nadi Antya · Colour Copper · Direction South

Shravana is associated with Vishnu and the ear. Its core power is listening, learning from others and transmitting knowledge.

Deity Vishnu · Symbol Ear / three footprints · Gana Deva · Yoni Monkey · Nadi Antya · Colour Light blue · Direction North

Dhanishta is associated with the Vasus and symbolised by a drum. It combines rhythm, resources, social participation and the ability to coordinate with larger groups.

Deity Vasus · Symbol Drum · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Lion · Nadi Madhya · Colour Silver grey · Direction East

Shatabhisha is ruled by Varuna and associated with the idea of a hundred healers. Its circle symbol suggests boundaries, privacy, systems and hidden knowledge.

Deity Varuna · Symbol Circle / hundred healers · Gana Rakshasa · Yoni Horse · Nadi Adi · Colour Aquamarine / blue green · Direction South

Purva Bhadrapada is associated with Aja Ekapada and carries a strong transformative and idealistic quality. Its traditional imagery can be intense, so it is better understood as depth rather than negativity.

Deity Aja Ekapada · Symbol Front of funeral cot · Gana Manushya · Yoni Lion · Nadi Adi · Colour Silver grey · Direction West

Uttara Bhadrapada is associated with Ahir Budhnya, the deep serpent of the cosmic waters. It represents depth, patience, inner stability and mature understanding.

Deity Ahir Budhnya · Symbol Back of funeral cot · Gana Manushya · Yoni Cow · Nadi Madhya · Colour Purple · Direction North

Revati is ruled by Pushan, a protector and guide of travellers. It is the final Nakshatra and therefore carries themes of completion, safe passage, compassion and transition to the next stage.

Deity Pushan · Symbol Fish / drum · Gana Deva · Yoni Elephant · Nadi Antya · Colour Brown · Direction East