Rashi

Zodiac sign (1 of 12). The Moon's Rashi at birth is the conventional 'sign' a Vedic astrologer asks for first; the Sun's Rashi is closer to the Western convention.

Related terms

• Lagna

  The ascendant — the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth. Determines the orientation of the house diagram and is treated as the most personal of the three primary axes (Lagna / Moon / Sun).

• Nakshatra

  One of 27 lunar mansions — finer-grained subdivision of the zodiac than Rashi. The Moon's Nakshatra at birth governs the structure of the Vimshottari Dasha system and is read as a strong indicator of personality and disposition.