Animal Symbols of the Nakshatras

The animal symbols of the nakshatras are full of deep meanings and esoteric significance. In most books, the animal symbols are only given in connection with the sexual compatibility of the nakshatras in the kuta system of relationship compatibility.

But if you really think about their deeper significance, you start unravelling a fascinating picture, not just about the nakshatras but also of their behaviour pattern. The animal connected to the nakshatras will give indication of the personality, behaviour pattern, and relationship with other nakshatras not just from a sexual point of view, but the more spiritual connection.

The nakshatras are divided into female and male animal energies. The male nakshatra is the more dynamic nakshatra; the female nakshatra is passive one. The purpose of this article is to look beyond the sexual comparisons that most of the text use the animal symbols and study the deeper meaning of the animal symbolism of the nakshatras.

In ancient texts, the explanation were kept short or just basic as the writers presumed that these books were studied with the help of a teacher and it was left to the teachers to unlock the deeper meanings. The texts were used as guides to the teachers so that they covered the whole thing. In this way, the seers protected the sacred knowledge from falling into the wrong hands. There is a lot written about the nakshatras, their symbolism, gunas, doshas etc., but most of it is unexplained.

Here we will try to decipher what the seers meant by linking each nakshatra to a particular animal sign. The aim of this article is to open the minds to understanding the depth of knowledge a keyword word expresses.

The nakshatra animal signs are

Male	Female	Animal Symbol
Ashwini	Shatabishak	Horse
Bharani	Revati	Elephant
Pushya	Krittika	Sheep
Rohini	Mrigsira	Serpent
Moola	Ardra	Dog
Ashlesha	Punarvasu	Cat
Magha	Purva Phalguni	Rat
Uttara Phalguni	Uttara Bhadra	Cow
Swati	Hasta	Buffalo
Vishakha	Chitra	Tiger
Jyeshtha	Anuradha	Hare
Purva Ashadha	Shravana	Monkey
Purva Bhadra	Dhanishtha	Lion
Uttara Ashadha	–	Mongoose