Nakshatra
One of the 27 lunar mansions — finer 13°20′ divisions of the zodiac used for character and timing.
The nakshatras are the 27 (sometimes 28) lunar mansions: the segments of sky the Moon passes through on its monthly orbit. Each spans 13 degrees 20 minutes and has its own ruling planet, presiding deity, symbol and temperament. They are older than the twelve signs in much of Vedic tradition.
Your janma nakshatra — the one the Moon occupied at birth — is considered a deeper signature of character than the sign alone. Every planet in a chart also sits in a nakshatra, adding nuance to its expression.
Nakshatras drive several core systems: the Vimshottari dasha sequence is keyed to the Moon's birth nakshatra, and muhurta (electional timing) leans heavily on them. They also feed into Guna Milan, the nakshatra-based marriage-matching method.
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