A medieval astrologer in Cairo once timed a talisman’s creation to the moment the moon entered the 14th mansion, al-Simak al-A’zal. He was not guessing. He was following a system of 28 lunar mansions that predates Islam, predates the Vedas, and may predate writing itself. The 28 lunar mansions (also called nakshatras, manazil al-qamar, or xiù) are a division of the moon’s daily path into 28 segments, each associated with a specific star or asterism. They form the oldest known lunar calendar and are used in astrology, magic, and agriculture across Hindu, Islamic, and Chinese traditions.
The moon takes roughly 27.3 days to circle the earth. Twenty-eight mansions give a close approximation of one mansion per day, each covering about 12°51′ of the ecliptic. The three major systems – Hindu nakshatras, Islamic manazil al-qamar, and Chinese xiù – share this basic geometry but differ in their boundaries, names, and symbolic associations. No single list is universal. What follows is the most complete comparative reference we have assembled, drawn from primary texts and centuries of practice.
Where do the 28 lunar mansions first appear in history?
The earliest written record comes from the Rigveda, composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE, which mentions the nakshatras as a celestial framework. The Atharvaveda (c. 1000 BCE) gives a list of 28, including Abhijit, the mansion that later fell out of common use. By the time of the Brahmanas (c. 800 BCE), the nakshatras were tied to ritual timing: a priest would not begin a sacrifice unless the moon stood in a favorable mansion.
In China, the 28 xiù appear in the 4th century BCE text “Shi Ji” by Sima Qian, though their origins are older. They were used to divide the celestial equator into 28 unequal segments, each governed by a spirit and linked to a terrestrial region. The Islamic manazil al-qamar were systematized later, most famously by the scholar al-Biruni in his “Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology” (1029 CE). Al-Biruni drew on pre-Islamic Arab star lore, where Bedouin navigators had used the mansions to track the moon’s position for travel and weather prediction.
The Picatrix, an 11th-century Arabic grimoire translated into Latin, devotes an entire chapter to the lunar mansions. It lists each mansion’s talismanic uses: which stones to engrave, which incense to burn, and which hour to act. That text became the primary source for European Renaissance magicians like Cornelius Agrippa. For more on these foundational texts, see our glossary of grimoires.
What does each mansion symbolize?
The symbolism of the 28 mansions is not abstract. It is tied to the visible stars that mark each segment. In the Hindu system, each nakshatra is ruled by a deity and a planet. The first mansion, Ashvini, is governed by the Ashvins, twin horsemen gods who heal and speed. A person born under Ashvini is said to be swift, curious, and prone to sudden starts. The 14th nakshatra, Chitra (Spica), is ruled by Tvashtar, the celestial architect, and symbolizes craftsmanship and beauty.
The Islamic manazil carry their own meanings. The first manzil, al-Sharatain (the two signs), is associated with the horns of Aries and is considered hot and dry. The Picatrix says it is good for making talismans to destroy enemies or cause discord. The 14th manzil, al-Simak al-A’zal (the unarmed Spica), is fortunate for travel, trade, and friendship. The 28th, al-Batn al-Hut (the belly of the fish), is cold and wet, used for binding and separation.
Chinese xiù are grouped into four celestial animals: the Azure Dragon of the East (seven mansions), the Black Tortoise of the North (seven), the White Tiger of the West (seven), and the Vermilion Bird of the South (seven). Each mansion has a spirit and an earthly counterpart. The first xiù, Jiǎo (Horn), corresponds to the horn of the Azure Dragon and governs official appointments and legal matters.
How are the 28 lunar mansions used in practice?
The most common use is electional astrology: choosing a moment to begin something. In Hindu tradition, a marriage is not fixed until the nakshatra of the moon on that day is checked against the couple’s birth nakshatras. The 3rd nakshatra, Krittika (the Pleiades), is considered harsh for weddings but good for starting a war. In Islamic magic, the Picatrix instructs the magician to wait for the moon to enter a specific manzil before inscribing a talisman. For the 7th manzil, al-Dhira (the forearm), the text says to engrave a lion on a piece of silver to gain power over rulers.
Chinese farmers used the xiù to time planting and harvesting. The 5th xiù, Dōng (Neck), was considered favorable for planting beans. The 20th, Lóu (Bond), was good for building walls. The system also appears in feng shui, where each xiù governs a direction and a season. For a deeper look at timing techniques, see our lunar mansions hub.
Below is a condensed list of the 28 mansions with their names in the three traditions. The order follows the Hindu sequence, which begins at the vernal equinox point (now in Pisces). The Islamic and Chinese sequences differ in starting point, but we align them here for comparison.
The 28 Lunar Mansions: A Comparative List
- Ashvini (Hindu) – al-Sharatain (Islamic) – Jiǎo (Chinese). Stars: β,γ Arietis. Meaning: horse head, two signs, horn.
- Bharani – al-Butayn – Kàng. Stars: 35,39,41 Arietis. Meaning: bearer, little belly, neck.
- Krittika – al-Thurayya – Dǐ. Stars: Pleiades. Meaning: cutter, the many little ones, root.
- Rohini – al-Dabaran – Fáng. Stars: Aldebaran. Meaning: red one, the follower, room.
- Mrigashira – al-Haq’a – Xīn. Stars: λ,φ Orionis. Meaning: deer head, the white spot, heart.
- Ardra – al-Han’a – Wěi. Stars: Betelgeuse. Meaning: moist one, the brand, tail.
- Punarvasu – al-Dhira – Jī. Stars: Castor and Pollux. Meaning: return of light, the forearm, winnowing basket.
- Pushya – al-Nathra – Dǒu. Stars: γ,δ Cancri. Meaning: nourisher, the gap, dipper.
- Ashlesha – al-Tarf – Niú. Stars: δ,ε Hydrae. Meaning: embrace, the glance, ox.
- Magha – al-Jabha – Nǚ. Stars: Regulus. Meaning: mighty, the forehead, girl.
- Purva Phalguni – al-Zubra – Xū. Stars: δ,θ Leonis. Meaning: former reddish one, the mane, void.
- Uttara Phalguni – al-Sarfa – Wēi. Stars: β Leonis. Meaning: latter reddish one, the turn, roof.
- Hasta – al-Awwa – Shì. Stars: Corvus. Meaning: hand, the bark, house.
- Chitra – al-Simak al-A’zal – Bì. Stars: Spica. Meaning: bright, the unarmed, wall.
- Swati – al-Ghafr – Kuī. Stars: Arcturus. Meaning: sword, the cover, stride.
- Vishakha – al-Zubana – Lóu. Stars: α,β Librae. Meaning: forked, the claw, bond.
- Anuradha – al-Iklil – Wèi. Stars: β,δ,π Scorpii. Meaning: following Radha, the crown, stomach.
- Jyeshtha – al-Qalb – Mǎo. Stars: Antares. Meaning: eldest, the heart, hairy head.
- Mula – al-Shawla – Bì. Stars: λ,κ Scorpii. Meaning: root, the sting, net.
- Purva Ashadha – al-Na’am – Zī. Stars: δ,ε Sagittarii. Meaning: former invincible, the ostriches, beak.
- Uttara Ashadha – al-Balda – Shēn. Stars: ζ,σ Sagittarii. Meaning: latter invincible, the city, body.
- Shravana – al-Dhira – Jǐng. Stars: Altair. Meaning: hearing, the forearm, well.
- Dhanishtha – al-Jady – Guǐ. Stars: α,β Delphini. Meaning: wealth, the kid, ghost.
- Shatabhisha – al-Ahbiya – Liǔ. Stars: γ Aquarii. Meaning: hundred physicians, the tents, willow.
- Purva Bhadrapada – al-Muqaddam – Xīng. Stars: α,β Pegasi. Meaning: former blessed feet, the forward, star.
- Uttara Bhadrapada – al-Mu’akhar – Zhāng. Stars: γ Pegasi, α Andromedae. Meaning: latter blessed feet, the backward, stretch.
- Revati – al-Risha – Yì. Stars: ζ Piscium. Meaning: wealth, the cord, wing.
- Abhijit (Hindu, sometimes omitted) – al-Batn al-Hut – Zhěn. Stars: α,β,γ Lyrae (Vega). Meaning: victorious, the belly of the fish, axle.
Note that the Hindu system usually counts 27 nakshatras, omitting Abhijit (the 28th) because the moon’s orbit is slightly less than 28 days. The Islamic and Chinese systems maintain 28 by using equal divisions or fixed constellations. The Chinese list above follows the standard sequence beginning with Jiǎo (Horn) at the vernal equinox.
The Hindu nakshatras are based on fixed stars and have unequal spans. The Islamic manazil are equal divisions of the moon’s orbit, each 12°51′, regardless of where the stars fall. The Chinese xiù are also unequal, based on the actual constellations visible along the celestial equator. This means a given star may fall in different mansions depending on the system. For example, Spica is the 14th manzil (al-Simak al-A’zal) and the 14th nakshatra (Chitra), but in the Chinese system it belongs to the 14th xiù (Bì, Wall).
The Hindu system is the most astrologically developed, with complex rulerships and sub-divisions (padas). The Islamic system is more talismanic, focusing on the magical properties of each mansion. The Chinese system is calendrical and geomantic, tied to the movement of the year and the five elements. For the specific meanings of each nakshatra, visit our glossary of Hindu astrology terms.
Common Misconceptions About Lunar Mansions
The most persistent error is confusing lunar mansions with zodiac signs. The zodiac is solar, based on the sun’s position against the fixed stars over a year. The lunar mansions are lunar, based on the moon’s daily motion. A person’s “moon sign” in Western astrology is not the same as their nakshatra. The nakshatra tells you the exact degree of the moon at birth, not just the sign.
Another misconception is that all 28 mansions are equally used. In practice, the Hindu system often drops Abhijit, and many astrologers focus on the 27. The Islamic system uses all 28, but some mansions are considered “black” (unfavorable) and are avoided for positive work. The Chinese xiù are all used, but their meanings shift depending on the season and the animal.
Finally, people assume the list is universal. It is not. Each tradition developed its own names, boundaries, and interpretations. A talisman made under the 14th manzil will not correspond to the 14th nakshatra in timing, because the starting points differ. The practitioner must choose one system and follow its rules.
FAQ
What are the 28 lunar mansions used for?
They are used for electional astrology (choosing auspicious times), talismanic magic, agricultural planting, medical procedures, and navigation. Each mansion has a specific influence that can be harnessed or avoided.
How do I find my lunar mansion?
Your lunar mansion is the nakshatra or manzil that the moon occupied at the moment of your birth. You can calculate it using an ephemeris or online calculator. In Hindu astrology, it is called your Janma Nakshatra.
Are the Hindu nakshatras the same as the Islamic manazil?
No. They share the same basic concept of 28 lunar divisions, but the names, boundaries, and rulerships differ. The Hindu system is older and uses fixed stars; the Islamic system uses equal divisions.
Why are there 28 and not 27?
The moon’s sidereal orbit is about 27.3 days, so 28 mansions give a daily approximation. Some systems use 27 to match the actual orbit, while others keep 28 for symmetry. The Hindu system historically had 28 but now commonly uses 27, omitting Abhijit.
The 28 lunar mansions are a bridge between the sky and the calendar, used by astrologers, magicians, and farmers for millennia. For practical guidance on timing your work with the moon, see our guide to electional astrology. The full collection of lunar mansion resources is available at our lunar mansions hub.