The 12 Signs (Rashis) - The Zodiac
Basic • 20 minutes
♈ What are Signs (Rashis)?
The Zodiac is a 360° circle divided into 12 equal signs, each exactly 30° wide. Think of it like a pizza cut into 12 equal slices!
🍕 Simple Analogy:
Imagine a circular pizza (360°). You cut it into 12 equal slices. Each slice = 1 sign = 30°. Planets move around this pizza, and we track which slice (sign) they're in!
📐 The Math:
360° (Full Circle) ÷ 12 (Signs) = 30° per Sign
The 12 Signs of the Zodiac
1. Aries (Mesha) - 0° to 30°
Fire • Movable • Ruled by Mars
2. Taurus (Vrishabha) - 30° to 60°
Earth • Fixed • Ruled by Venus
3. Gemini (Mithuna) - 60° to 90°
Air • Dual • Ruled by Mercury
4. Cancer (Karka) - 90° to 120°
Water • Movable • Ruled by Moon
5. Leo (Simha) - 120° to 150°
Fire • Fixed • Ruled by Sun
6. Virgo (Kanya) - 150° to 180°
Earth • Dual • Ruled by Mercury
7. Libra (Tula) - 180° to 210°
Air • Movable • Ruled by Venus
8. Scorpio (Vrishchika) - 210° to 240°
Water • Fixed • Ruled by Mars
9. Sagittarius (Dhanu) - 240° to 270°
Fire • Dual • Ruled by Jupiter
10. Capricorn (Makara) - 270° to 300°
Earth • Movable • Ruled by Saturn
11. Aquarius (Kumbha) - 300° to 330°
Air • Fixed • Ruled by Saturn
12. Pisces (Meena) - 330° to 360°
Water • Dual • Ruled by Jupiter
🔢 How to Calculate Sign from Longitude
Given a planet's longitude (0° to 360°), how do we know which sign it's in? Simple division!
📐 The Formula:
int() = round down to whole number
% = modulo (remainder after division)
Example 1: Sun at 304.64°
Step 1: Calculate Sign Number
Sign = int(304.64 ÷ 30) = int(10.154) = 10
Sign 10 = Aquarius (Kumbha)
Step 2: Calculate Degree in Sign
Degree = 304.64 % 30 = 4.64°
Result: Sun is at 4.64° in Aquarius
Example 2: Moon at 120.79°
Step 1: Calculate Sign Number
Sign = int(120.79 ÷ 30) = int(4.026) = 4
Sign 4 = Leo (Simha)
Step 2: Calculate Degree in Sign
Degree = 120.79 % 30 = 0.79°
Result: Moon is at 0.79° in Leo
Sign Elements and Qualities
🔥 Fire Signs
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Action-oriented, energetic, passionate
🌍 Earth Signs
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Practical, stable, material-focused
💨 Air Signs
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Intellectual, communicative, social
💧 Water Signs
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Emotional, intuitive, sensitive
⚡ Movable (Chara)
Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Initiating, change-oriented
🔒 Fixed (Sthira)
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Stable, persistent, determined
Sign Rulers (Planetary Lords)
Each sign has a ruling planet (lord). This is important for understanding planetary strength and relationships.
🎓 Practice Exercise
Try These Calculations:
-
Planet at 215.4°: Which sign? What degree in sign?
Hint: 215.4 ÷ 30 = ? - Planet at 45.7°: Which sign? What degree in sign?
- Planet at 0°: Which sign? (This is the start of Aries!)
- Planet at 359.9°: Which sign? (Almost full circle!)
Answers:
- Sign 7 (Libra), 5.4°
- Sign 1 (Taurus), 15.7°
- Sign 0 (Aries), 0°
- Sign 11 (Pisces), 29.9°
📝 Key Takeaways
- ✓ The zodiac is 360° divided into 12 signs of 30° each
- ✓ Sign Number = int(Longitude ÷ 30)
- ✓ Degree in Sign = Longitude % 30
- ✓ Signs have elements (Fire/Earth/Air/Water) and qualities (Movable/Fixed/Dual)
- ✓ Each sign has a ruling planet (lord)