Nakshatra 1 · अश्विनी नक्षत्र
Ashwini nakshatra: traits, lord, deity and padas
Ashwini spans 0°00′ to 13°20′ Mesha of the sidereal zodiac. It is ruled by Ketu, its deity is Ashwini Kumaras and its symbol is a horse’s head.
Ashwini at a glance
| Number | 1 of 27 |
|---|---|
| Span | 0°00′ to 13°20′ Mesha |
| Rashi | Mesha (मेष) |
| Lord | Ketu (केतु) |
| Deity | Ashwini Kumaras, the twin healers of the gods (अश्विनी कुमार) |
| Symbol | a horse’s head |
| Meaning of the name | Born of a horse, or the horsewoman |
| Nature | Kshipra (light, swift) (क्षिप्र) |
| Gana | Deva |
| Yoni | Horse (Ashwa) |
| Nadi | Adi (Vata) |
| Tree | Kuchla (strychnine tree) (कुचला) |
Ashwini nakshatra traits
People born under Ashwini are often described as quick, lively and eager to begin. They tend to act on an idea at once, enjoy fresh starts and like to help others in a practical, hands-on way.
The same speed can make them impatient with slow work or long waits. Learning to finish what they start, and to pause before a hasty choice, is a common theme for them.
Fields commonly linked with Ashwini: medicine and healthcare, sports and fitness, travel and transport, emergency and rescue work.
The four padas of Ashwini
| Pada | Span | Rashi | Navamsa | Baby name letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0°00′ to 3°20′ | Mesha | Mesha | Chu चू |
| 2 | 3°20′ to 6°40′ | Mesha | Vrishabha | Che चे |
| 3 | 6°40′ to 10°00′ | Mesha | Mithuna | Cho चो |
| 4 | 10°00′ to 13°20′ | Mesha | Karka | La ला |
Names starting with these letters are traditionally chosen for a baby born in each pada. See the baby naming tables and the name meanings. About the rashi: Mesh rashi.
What a Ashwini day suits
On a day when the Moon is in Ashwini, muhurta texts traditionally favour:
- starting travel
- buying a vehicle
- opening a shop or starting trade
- beginning to learn a new skill
- sports
Today’s nakshatra and its end time are on the panchang; whether a day suits you personally is the tarabalam.
← Revati · All 27 nakshatras · Bharani →
Lord, padas and letters follow the standard tables; meaning, symbol, tree and traits are as commonly given and differ a little between texts.
Questions about Ashwini
Who is the lord of Ashwini nakshatra?
Ketu (केतु). In the Vimshottari dasha, a person born with the Moon in Ashwini starts life in Ketu’s mahadasha.
What are the baby name letters for Ashwini?
Chu, Che, Cho, La for the four padas (चू, चे, चो, ला). The pada comes from the exact time of birth: the baby name calculator finds it.
Which rashi is Ashwini in?
All four padas are in Mesha (मेष).
Is Ashwini a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has its strengths. Ashwini is a Kshipra nakshatra, traditionally suited to starting travel and buying a vehicle; for a person, the whole chart matters more than the nakshatra alone.
How do I find my nakshatra?
From the Moon’s position at birth: the nakshatra calculator works it out from your date, time and place of birth.