The Rasi Chart

Lord Murukan

A rasi chart is a simple diagram which shows the exact positions of various planets at the time of a person’s birth. This is the most fundamental document and with the help of this, a learned astrologer can analyze a person’s life and predict his future. The design of the chart varies from place to place but basically it is an arrangement of 12 cells denoting the 12 zodiac signs. I have seen up to four types of charts in India. Out of these, the most common are South Indian and North Indian types. Here, in this blog, we will be discussing the south Indian style only.

Rasis have several characteristics. When you consider a rasi during an analysis, these characteristics of that particular rasi also, are to be taken in to account. This is not to be confused with the general characteristics of persons born in a particular rasi.

The first rasi - the second cell from the top left corner - is the Medam Rasi. The Medam Rasi (Aries, मेष, Meṣa, மேஷம், മേടം) is ruled by the planet Mars (Rasi adhipa) and its symbol is Ram. Fire is the basic element (Pancha mahabhoothas or the five basic elements) associated with this rasi. This is a movable rasi (Chara rasi).

Rasi chart - South Indian

The second one is Idavam (Taurus, वृषभ, Vrishabha, ரிஷபம், ഇടവം). Ruler of this rasi is Venus and symbol is Bull. Earth is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a fixed (Sthira) rasi.

Third one is Midhunam (Gemini, मिथुन, Mithuna, மிதுனம், മിഥുനം). Ruler of this rasi is Mercury and symbol is twins. Air is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is an ubhaya (Dual nature) rasi.

Fourth one is Karkadakam (Cancer, कर्क, கடகம், കർക്കടകം) Ruler of this rasi is Moon and symbol is Crab. Water is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a movable rasi (Chara rasi).

Fifth one is Chingam (Leo, सिंह, சிம்மம், ചിങ്ങം) Ruler of this rasi is Sun and symbol is Lion. Fire is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a fixed (Sthira) rasi.

Sixth one is Kanni (Virgo, कन्या, கன்னி, കന്നി) Ruler of this rasi is Mercury and symbol is a Maiden. Earth is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is an ubhaya (Dual nature) rasi.

Seventh one is Thulaam (Libra, तुला, துலாம், തുലാം) Ruler of this rasi is Venus and symbol is Weighing balance (Scales). Air is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a movable rasi (Chara rasi).

Eighth one is Vṛischikam (Scorpio, वृश्चिक, விருச்சிகம், വൃശ്ചികം) Ruler of this rasi is Mars and symbol is Scorpion. Water is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a fixed (Sthira) rasi.

Rasi chart - North Indian

Ninth one is Dhanu (Sagittarius, धनुष, தனுசு, ധനു) Ruler of this rasi is Jupiter and symbol is centaur with bow and arrow. Fire is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is an ubhaya (Dual nature) rasi.

Tenth one is Makaram (Capricorn, मकर, மகரம், മകരം) Ruler of this rasi is Saturn and symbol is Mountain goat. Earth is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a movable rasi (Chara rasi).

Eleventh one is Kumbham (Aquarius, कुम्भ, கும்பம், കുംഭം) Ruler of this rasi is Saturn and symbol is Water pourer. Air is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is a fixed (Sthira) rasi.

Twelfth one is Meenam (Pisces, मीन, மீனம், മീനം) Ruler of this rasi is Jupiter and symbol is a set of two fishes. Water is the basic element associated with this rasi and this is an ubhaya (Dual nature) rasi.

These are the basic characteristics of the twelve rasis. In the coming chapters, we will discuss these in detail.