Nakshatra 14 of 27
Chitra Nakshatra
Chitra is your birth star (Janma Nakshatra), the star the Moon occupied when you were born. It is presided over by Tvashtar, the divine craftsman, and its symbol is a bright jewel.
- Order
- 14
- Ruling planet
- Mars
- Deity
- Vishwakarma/Tvashtar
- Span
- 23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra
- Gana
- Rakshasa (fierce)
- Yoni (animal)
- Tiger
- Naming syllables
- Pe, Po, Ra, Ri
What Chitra means
Chitra is your birth star (Janma Nakshatra), the star the Moon occupied when you were born. It is presided over by Tvashtar, the divine craftsman, and its symbol is a bright jewel. Together they point to design, beauty and the urge to build. It loves beautiful forms and well-made things, and often has a strong personal style; patience helps its designs come to life. The star is ruled by Mars, so your life's first Vimshottari period was the Mars period, and its themes of energy, courage and the drive to act stay close to how you feel and respond. Its temperament (Gana) is rakshasa, which tradition reads as independence, strong will and protective energy. Many families use the star's syllables for naming, and the tara cycle counted from it is used to choose supportive days.
Naming syllables for Chitra
The four Padas of Chitra carry the starting sounds Pe, Po, Ra, Ri. Parents who follow Nakshatra naming choose a first syllable from the Pada of the child's birth star.
Chitra temperament
The symbol of Chitra is a bright jewel. Chitra natives are creative, stylish and ambitious, with an eye for form and design. They want to build things that are admired and remembered.
Work that suits Chitra
Traditional texts and practising astrologers link Chitra with architecture, design, jewellery, fashion, engineering, photography and the arts. The house the Moon occupies and the strength of the star lord refine this further.
The life period Chitra starts you in
Because Mars rules Chitra, life begins in the Mars Mahadasha, a 7-year period. The Mars period lasts seven years and brings energy, courage and the urge to act. It suits starting projects, building skills, working with land, machines or technical fields, and standing up for what matters. Siblings and colleagues may play a bigger part. Because energy runs high, patience in speech and care in hurried situations keep it constructive; physical activity is a good outlet. A well-placed Mars makes this a productive and confident period.
How a birth star is worked out
Your Nakshatra is the lunar mansion the Moon occupied at the moment of birth. The zodiac is divided into 27 equal parts of 13°20′ each, and each part is split into four Padas of 3°20′. Because the Moon moves roughly one Nakshatra a day, an accurate birth time and place matter: a few hours either way can change the star, and a few minutes can change the Pada. A sidereal zodiac with the Lahiri Ayanamsa is used for these pages, which is the standard most Indian almanacs follow.
How Chitra is used in practice
Families use the birth star for naming, for matching horoscopes before marriage, for choosing auspicious days (Tara Bala) and for the first life period in the Vimshottari Dasha system. The star alone is only one layer of a chart, so treat these descriptions as tendencies to recognise rather than fixed outcomes. Cast a full birth chart to see how the Moon, its sign and its house combine with the rest of the horoscope.
| Partner Nakshatra | Tamil Porutham checks | Ashtakoota points (star-based) |
|---|---|---|
| Pushya | 5/7 | 9/21 |
| Uttara Bhadrapada | 5/7 | 9/21 |
| Ashwini | 4/7 | 9/21 |
| Krittika | 4/7 | 9/21 |
| Rohini | 4/7 | 9/21 |
| Ardra | 4/7 | 9/21 |
Common questions
Which planet rules Chitra Nakshatra?
Chitra is ruled by Mars. In the Vimshottari Dasha system this means anyone born with the Moon in Chitra begins life in the Mars period, which lasts 7 years in full; the balance left at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the star.
Who is the deity of Chitra?
The presiding deity of Chitra is Vishwakarma/Tvashtar. Classical texts use the deity to describe the mood and purpose of the star, and many families include the deity in prayers on birthdays that fall on this Nakshatra.
Which zodiac sign does Chitra fall in?
Chitra spans 23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra, so it belongs to Virgo, Libra. If a Nakshatra crosses two signs, the Pada tells you which sign the Moon was in.
What are the naming syllables for Chitra?
The traditional starting sounds for the four Padas of Chitra are Pe, Po, Ra, Ri. Parents often pick a first letter from the Pada of the birth star; regional lists spell the sounds slightly differently, so check the list your family follows.
What is the Gana of Chitra?
Chitra belongs to the Rakshasa (fierce) Gana. Gana is one of the factors checked in marriage matching, where it is compared with the partner's star to judge temperament.
Which stars match well with Chitra for marriage?
The table on this page ranks partner stars by how many of the seven star-based Tamil Porutham checks agree and by the star-based Ashtakoota points. A full match also looks at both Moon signs, Rajju, Vedha and the complete charts, so use the ranking as a starting point and open the pair page for the factor-by-factor result.
Is Chitra a good Nakshatra?
No birth star is good or bad on its own. Each has strengths and lessons, and the rest of the chart decides how they show up. Classical texts describe tendencies; the planets, houses and periods in your own horoscope decide the details.
How do I find out if my birth star is Chitra?
Enter your date, exact time and place of birth in the free birth chart. The chart shows the Moon's Nakshatra and Pada, the current Dasha and the full planetary positions.
Does the Nakshatra change with Lahiri or KP Ayanamsa?
The Lahiri and Krishnamurti (KP) values differ by only a few minutes of arc, so the star almost never changes. It can change only when the Moon sits right on the boundary of two Nakshatras.
What happens on days when the Moon transits Chitra?
When the Moon passes through your birth star (roughly once every 27 days) the day is called your Janma Nakshatra day. Many people avoid starting major ventures on it and keep it for prayer and quiet work instead; the Panchangam shows when it falls.
What is the symbol of Chitra Nakshatra?
The symbol of Chitra is a bright jewel, which reflects its core nature.