What Is a Rashi?
The Vedic zodiac sign, and your Moon sign
A rashi is a zodiac sign in Vedic astrology — one of twelve 30° segments of the sky, from Mesha (Aries) to Meena (Pisces). Unlike Western astrology, which emphasises the Sun sign, Vedic astrology (Jyotish) treats your Moon sign (Chandra rashi) as most important for personality and prediction.
Rashi vs. Western sun sign
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which accounts for the precession of the equinoxes. Because of this, your Vedic rashi is often one sign earlier than your familiar Western sun sign. That is why Navagraha computes your chart from real sidereal positions using the Swiss Ephemeris.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Vedic rashi different from my zodiac sign?
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac (adjusted for precession), so your Moon-based rashi is frequently one sign earlier than your Western sun sign.
Is rashi based on the Sun or the Moon?
Vedic astrology primarily uses the Moon sign (Chandra rashi), though the Sun sign (Surya rashi) and rising sign (Lagna) are also read.
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