{{Short description|1st lunar mansion of Hindu astrology}} {{Other uses}} [[File:Aries constellation map.svg|thumb|200px|Aries constellation showing Ashivini]]
{{Nakshatras}} '''Ashvini''' (अश्विनी, {{IAST3|aśvinī}}) is the first nakshatra (lunar mansion) in Indian astronomy, having a spread from 0°-0'-0" to 13°-20'. It corresponds to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis, and possibly also α Arietis in the oldest versions of the asterism. Ashvini literally means "twin horse-man"; it is depicted as a horse's head and represents twin physician gods, the Ashvins.<ref name=ASE>{{cite web |title=Aśvini (अश्विनी) |url=https://ase.exopla.net/index.php/Ashvini |website=All Skies Encyclopaedia |publisher=IAU Working Group on Star Names |access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref> The name ''aśvinī'' is used by Varāhamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda (AVS 19.7; in the dual<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av19007.htm|title = Atharva Veda: Book 19: Hymn 7: A Prayer to the Lunar Mansions and other Powers for protection and prosperity}}</ref>) and in Pāṇini (4.3.36), was ''aśvayúja'', "harnessing horses".<ref>{{Cite web|title=അശ്വതി നക്ഷത്രക്കാരുടെ പൊതുസ്വഭാവം|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/astrology/astro-news/2021/02/15/aswathy-birth-star-characteristics.html|access-date=2021-02-17|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}</ref> This nakshatra belongs to Mesha Rasi.
==Astrology== Ashvini is ruled by Ketu, the descending lunar node. In electional astrology, Ashvini is classified as a small constellation, meaning that it is believed to be advantageous to begin works of a precise or delicate nature while the moon is in Ashvini.<ref>Hart De Fouw, Robert Svoboda. ‘’Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India.’’ 2003: pg. 204. {{ISBN|0-940985-69-1}}</ref> Ashvini is ruled by the Ashvinas, the heavenly twin brother gods who served as physicians to the gods and goddesses.<ref>Ralph Griffith, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/index.htm ''The Rig Veda''] 1895</ref> Ashvini is represented by the bee hive.<ref>Dennis M. Harness. ''The Nakshatras: The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology''. Lotus Press, 1999. {{ISBN|0-914955-83-7}}. pg. 2</ref>
Traditional Indian names are determined by which pada (quarter) of a nakshatra the Ascendant was in at the time of birth. In the case of Ashvini, the given name would begin with the following syllables: Chu, Che, Cho, La.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mypanchang.com/nakshatras.html|title=Baby names|publisher=mypanchang.com}}</ref>
==See also== *List of Nakshatras
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Jyotish Vidya}}
Category:Nakshatra Category:Aries (constellation)