Free Sun Sign Calculator Western & Vedic
Western Sun Sign · Vedic Sun Sign · Moon Sign
See your Sun sign in both systems side by side: the Western (tropical) sign from magazines and the Vedic (sidereal) sign from your jathakam. Most people are surprised they differ.
Western vs Vedic Sun Sign
The Western zodiac is pinned to the seasons. Aries always starts at the March equinox. The Vedic zodiac is pinned to the stars, and the two have drifted about 24° apart.
That's why a "Leo" in a magazine is often a Cancer in a jathakam. Neither is wrong. They just measure from different starting points.
Sun Sign Dates in Both Systems
| Sign | Western Dates | Vedic Dates (approx.) | Malayalam Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Mar 21 - Apr 19 | Apr 14 - May 14 | Medam (മേടം) |
| Taurus | Apr 20 - May 20 | May 15 - Jun 14 | Edavam (ഇടവം) |
| Gemini | May 21 - Jun 20 | Jun 15 - Jul 15 | Mithunam (മിഥുനം) |
| Cancer | Jun 21 - Jul 22 | Jul 16 - Aug 16 | Karkidakam (കർക്കിടകം) |
| Leo | Jul 23 - Aug 22 | Aug 17 - Sep 16 | Chingam (ചിങ്ങം) |
| Virgo | Aug 23 - Sep 22 | Sep 17 - Oct 16 | Kanni (കന്നി) |
| Libra | Sep 23 - Oct 22 | Oct 17 - Nov 15 | Thulam (തുലാം) |
| Scorpio | Oct 23 - Nov 21 | Nov 16 - Dec 15 | Vrischikam (വൃശ്ചികം) |
| Sagittarius | Nov 22 - Dec 21 | Dec 16 - Jan 13 | Dhanu (ധനു) |
| Capricorn | Dec 22 - Jan 19 | Jan 14 - Feb 12 | Makaram (മകരം) |
| Aquarius | Jan 20 - Feb 18 | Feb 13 - Mar 13 | Kumbham (കുംഭം) |
| Pisces | Feb 19 - Mar 20 | Mar 14 - Apr 13 | Meenam (മീനം) |
Vedic dates move by a day or so from year to year. The Malayalam solar month is named after the Vedic Sun sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Western and Vedic Sun signs different? +
Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, tied to the seasons. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, tied to the stars. The two are now about 24 degrees apart, so most people's Vedic Sun sign is one sign behind their Western one.
Which Sun sign is correct? +
Both are correct within their own system. If you follow Indian astrology, your jathakam and panchangam use the Vedic (sidereal) sign.
Do I need my birth time for the Sun sign? +
Rarely. The Sun changes sign only once a month, so the date is enough unless you were born on the day of a change. We warn you if that's the case.
Is the Sun sign important in Indian astrology? +
It matters, but less than the Moon sign and Lagna. Indian predictions, Sade Sati and marriage matching are all based on the Moon.
What is Surya Rashi? +
Surya Rashi is simply the Vedic Sun sign: the sidereal sign the Sun was in at your birth. It also names the Malayalam solar month you were born in.