Nakshatra 14 of 27
Chitra nakshatra
चित्रा नक्षत्र
Chitra is the fourteenth of the 27 nakshatras, across the end of Virgo and the start of Libra, ruled by Mars. Its deity is Tvashtar, also called Vishwakarma, the divine architect, and its symbol is a bright jewel. It is the star of design, polish and brilliance.
Classical reference, by the Astex Astro team.
At a glance
- Lord
- Mars (Mangal)
- Deity
- Tvashtar (Vishwakarma), the divine architect
- Symbol
- A bright jewel
- Span
- 23°20′ Virgo to 6°40′ Libra
- Rashis
- Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra)
- Gana, yoni, nadi
- Rakshasa, Tiger, Madhya
- Name letters
- पे, पो, रा, री
The four padas of Chitra
Each nakshatra has four padas (quarters) of 3°20′. Each pada has its own name letter and falls in a navamsa (D9) sign.
| Pada | Letter | Rashi | Navamsa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | पे | Kanya (Virgo) | Singh (Leo) |
| Pada 2 | पो | Kanya (Virgo) | Kanya (Virgo) |
| Pada 3 | रा | Tula (Libra) | Tula (Libra) |
| Pada 4 | री | Tula (Libra) | Vrishchik (Scorpio) |
The nature of Chitra
A jewel is cut, set and polished to catch the light. Chitra has that eye for finish. The person notices alignment, proportion and detail, and feels uneasy when a picture hangs crooked or a sentence is badly built. Beauty is something to make, not just admire.
Vishwakarma built the cities and chariots of the gods, so this star has a maker's mind. Mars as lord adds drive and a wish to prove skill. Chitra wants to be seen as the one who built something excellent, and puts real effort into earning that.
Work and strengths
Chitra suits architecture, interior design, jewellery, fashion, engineering, film, photography, and every craft where form matters. An architect who sketches a house around the family's daily life, and insists on getting every joint right, shows this star. A clear brief, a trusted team and a fair deadline bring out the finest work of this star.
The strength is creativity joined with technical skill. The risk is perfectionism and a fear of being ordinary, which can delay finishing. Chitra works best with a fixed deadline and a trusted person who says when the work is good enough to show. A family home planned by such a person is remembered for its light, its corners and its carved doors.
Relationships
Chitra is attractive in manner and enjoys dressing well and being admired. In love, the person is passionate and imaginative, and likes planning special evenings with care. Appearance matters, and so does the way things are said. Matching colours, a perfect outfit or an elegant table for guests are small acts of love for Chitra.
The Mars side can be critical, and a partner may feel judged on small details. Admiring the effort before offering advice helps. Because Chitra craves recognition, kind words go a long way. When it feels valued, the star is a generous, entertaining and loyal companion.
Chitra in kundli matching
In ashtakoot milan, Chitra counts as Rakshasa gana, Tiger yoni and Madhya nadi. A partner whose Moon is in another Madhya nadi nakshatra (Bharani, Mrigashira, Pushya, Purva Phalguni, Anuradha, Purva Ashadha, Dhanishta, Uttara Bhadrapada) scores 0 of 8 on nadi, the koota with the most points. Match two charts to see the full score.
Questions people ask
Who is the lord of Chitra nakshatra?
Mars (Mangal). Its deity is Tvashtar (Vishwakarma).
What are the name letters for Chitra nakshatra?
पे, पो, रा, री, one for each of its four padas, in that order.
Which group does Chitra belong to?
Chitra is a mridu, or soft, nakshatra, grouped with Mrigashira, Anuradha and Revati. Classical texts connect this group with arts, ornaments, music and gentle undertakings. It matches the star's love of beauty and refinement, even though Mars gives it energy behind that softness.