Rashi vs Zodiac Signs: Similarities, Differences and When to Use What

It is common to get confused between rashi and zodiac sign. Although both appear the same and even share similar names, they are quite different. Rashi is decided as per the moon sign on your birth chart, whereas Zodiac signs are decided as per your birth date. Furthermore, the determination of Rashi is dependent on a lunar calendar, whereas the Zodiac sign is determined by a solar calendar.

In this article, we will clarify how Rashi and Zodiac Signs are determined, what their similarities are, what their differences are, and why you should not follow a mix-up of both.

How is a Rashi Determined for a Person?

Rashi emerges from the Jyotish Shastra, an ancient Hindu philosophy that posits planetary alignments can influence a person’s mind and life. At birth, each individual’s chart is prepared according to the planetary alignment of the sun, five planets, and three moons, as well as the alignment of the star constellations (nakshatra).

The following are the Solar System bodies that are present on the Birth Chart, often referred to as the Lagna or Kundali.

• Sun (Surya)
• Mercury (Budh)
• Venus (Shukra)
• Moon (Chandarama)
• Mars (Mangal)
• Jupiter (Brihaspati)
• Saturn (Shani)
• Rahu (probaly Phobos or Deimos)
• Ketu (probaly Phobos or Deimos)

The chart is unique to individuals born on different dates and can vary even if they are born a few hours apart on the same dates. It is rare that any individual

How is a Zodiac Sign determined for a person?

A Zodiac sign is a birth sign according to the day on which a person is born. It originates from Greek and Roman philosophies and follows the same principle as Rashi (i.e., planetary alignments influence life).

They are used to predict daily, weekly, monthly, and sometimes yearly astrological forecasts for a person. It should be noted that in Indian Astrology (Jyotisha Shastra), there is no concept of short-term predictions; rather, Jyotisha Shastra is used to determine the Dasha (bad and good phases of life).

Below is the list of Zodiac Signs and their corresponding dates.

• Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19.
• Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20.
• Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21.
• Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22.
• Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22.
• Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22.
• Libra (Scale/Balance): September 23–October 23.
• Scorpio (Scorpion): October 24–November 21
• Sagittarius (Archer): November 22–December 21
• Capricorn (Goat): December 22–January 19
• Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20–February 18
• Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20

Rashi vs Zodiac Sign

Please note that Rashifal is used to denote the impact of various astrological conditions on your life and should be used with the same meaning in this section.

Differences

• Rashifal in Jyotisha is decided as per the position of planets in your 1st House of the Kundali, while Zodiac signs are based on birth date as per the Solar calendar.
• Rashifal operates on longer timeframes, such as months, years, and decades, while Zodiac works on shorter timeframes like days and weeks.
• Rashifal is an Indian Vedic concept, while Zodiac is a Western (Greco-Roman) concept.
• Rashifal prescribes the usage of mantras, pujas, and offerings to calm negative energies (cosmic energies in your life), whereas Zodiac prescribes wearing stones and crystals.
• Rashifal does not seek to predict things that will happen in your life, which the Zodiac does.
• Rashifal discusses Dashas that will impact your life, such as Shani Sadhe Saati (7.5 years of karmic churn in your life), which is not mentioned in the Zodiac.

Suggested Reading: Shree Shani Deva Mantra

Similarities

• Both validate the impact of astrological conditions on a person’s life.
• Both advice offerings aim to mitigate the negative effects of a specific planetary body.

Frequently Asked Questions