AstroNames

While the 12 Rashis (zodiac signs) divide the sky into 30° slices, the 27 Nakshatras divide it into finer 13°20′ segments — the "lunar mansions" the Moon travels through each month. The nakshatra the Moon occupied at your birth is your Janma Nakshatra (birth star), and it's one of the most personal and predictive points in your whole chart.

Why your birth star matters

• Naming: it gives the sacred Janm Akshar (birth syllable) used to choose an auspicious name — see Akshar Names.
• Marriage matching: Guna Milan compares the bride's and groom's nakshatras for compatibility — try Kundli Match.
• Muhurat: auspicious dates for ceremonies are chosen relative to your birth star's Tara Bala.

Each one has a personality

Every nakshatra carries a ruling planet, a presiding deity, a symbol and a set of qualities — from Ashwini's healing speed to Rohini's beauty and Pushya's nourishing care. These colour your instincts, talents and the directions in which you naturally flourish.

Find yours

You can read all 27 in depth — with their names across many Indian and Asian languages — on the 27 Nakshatras page, and reveal your own birth star instantly with Find Rashi by Date of Birth.

Sources & further reading: Nakshatra (Wikipedia) · Hindu astrology (Wikipedia)