You may have read horoscopes in newspapers, magazines, websites, or astrology apps. Most horoscopes provide predictions for all 12 Rashis (zodiac signs). Some use English names such as Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, while others use traditional Indian names such as Mesha, Vrishabha, and Mithuna.

But do you know which Rashi is actually yours?

The answer can be confusing because there are two different zodiac systems commonly used for horoscope calculations: the Western (Tropical) system and the Indian Vedic (Sidereal) system.

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Western Zodiac: Based on the Sun

Western astrology generally follows the Tropical Zodiac, also known as the Sayana system. Your zodiac sign is determined by the position of the Sun at the time of your birth.

The Sun appears to move through the 12 zodiac signs over the course of a year. Since these signs are associated with approximately fixed dates, you will often see zodiac signs written with date ranges, such as:

• Aries — March 21 to April 19
• Taurus — April 20 to May 20
• Gemini — May 21 to June 20
• Cancer — June 21 to July 22
• Leo — July 23 to August 22
• Virgo — August 23 to September 22
• Libra — September 23 to October 22
• Scorpio — October 23 to November 21
• Sagittarius — November 22 to December 21
• Capricorn — December 22 to January 19
• Aquarius — January 20 to February 18
• Pisces — February 19 to March 20

This is why, in Western astrology, someone may simply ask, "What is your zodiac sign?" and determine it directly from your date of birth.

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Indian Vedic Astrology: Based on the Moon

Indian Vedic astrology uses the Sidereal Zodiac, also known as the Nirayana system, and places particular importance on the Moon's position at the time of birth.

The Moon moves much faster than the Sun and takes approximately 2 to 2.5 days to pass through one zodiac sign. Therefore, your Moon Rashi cannot be reliably determined from your birth date alone. Your date, exact time, and place of birth are generally needed to calculate it accurately.

This Moon-based zodiac sign is commonly referred to as your Janma Rashi or Chandra Rashi.

Western (Tropical / Sayana)  →  Based on Sun position   → Determined by Date of Birth
Vedic (Sidereal / Nirayana)  →  Based on Moon position  → Requires Date, Exact Time & Location

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So, What Is Your Rashi?

The important thing to remember is that your Western zodiac sign and your Vedic Rashi may not be the same.

• If you are reading a horoscope based on Western astrology, you are generally looking at your Sun sign, calculated using the Tropical Zodiac.
• If you are reading a horoscope based on Indian Vedic astrology, you are looking at your Moon Rashi, calculated using the Sidereal (Nirayana) Zodiac.

Because the Sidereal and Tropical zodiacs differ by roughly 24 degrees (the Ayanamsha), your Vedic Moon sign is often one sign before your Western Sun sign, or completely different depending on the day and hour of birth.

So, the next time you check your horoscope, first make sure you know which zodiac system it is using. Otherwise, you may end up reading a prediction for a different sign than the one intended for your Vedic horoscope.

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Check Your Rashi on Kundli Point

Kundli Point follows the Indian Vedic astrology system and uses the Moon-based Rashi (Chandra Rashi).

Want to know your true Vedic Rashi? You can check your Rashi and horoscope on Kundli Point or generate your full Janma Kundli birth chart.

To find your Rashi accurately, your date, time, and place of birth are all you need.

Know your Rashi. Read your horoscope with the right zodiac!