Zodiac signs
Aries (Mesha)
Aries, the Ram, is a cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars. The Sun is in tropical (Western) Aries from March 21 – April 19, and in sidereal (Vedic) Aries — called Mesha — from about April 14 – May 14. The sign is associated with initiative, courage and the urge to begin.
| Symbol | the Ram |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Mesha |
| Element | Fire |
| Modality | Cardinal |
| Ruling planet | Mars |
| Zodiac degrees | 0° – 30° |
| Opposite sign | Libra |
| Exalted here | Sun |
| Debilitated here | Saturn |
| Nakshatras (sidereal) | Ashwini (all four padas), Bharani (all four padas), Krittika (pada 1) |
| Western (tropical) dates | March 21 – April 19 |
| Vedic (sidereal) dates | about April 14 – May 14 |
| Sun enters, 2026 (tropical) | 20 March 2026, 14:46 UTC |
| Sun enters, 2026 (sidereal) | 14 April 2026, 04:00 UTC |
Why two sets of dates: the tropical zodiac is tied to the seasons and the sidereal zodiac to the constellations. The equinoxes have drifted about 24° against the stars since the zodiacs coincided (the Lahiri ayanamsa is 24°13′ in 2026), so the Sun enters sidereal Aries roughly three and a half weeks after it enters tropical Aries. The 2026 ingresses above are computed from the Sun's position, to the minute.
In Vedic astrology Mesha holds Ashwini (all four padas), Bharani (all four padas) and Krittika (pada 1). A Moon here is read through both the sign and its nakshatra.
Your Sun sign is only one placement: your Moon sign and your rising sign (ascendant) are read at least as closely, and Vedic astrology gives the Moon sign the most weight of all.
Questions
What are the dates for Aries?
In Western (tropical) astrology, March 21 – April 19. In Vedic (sidereal) astrology, about April 14 – May 14. Both vary by about a day from year to year; in 2026 the Sun entered tropical Aries on 20 March 2026, 14:46 UTC and sidereal Aries on 14 April 2026, 04:00 UTC.
What is the ruling planet of Aries?
Mars.
Which nakshatras are in Aries?
In the sidereal zodiac, Ashwini (all four padas), Bharani (all four padas) and Krittika (pada 1).
Which planet is exalted in Aries?
The Sun, in the Parashari scheme.
What is Aries called in Vedic astrology?
Mesha.
In Plutto
Plutto reads your Sun, Moon and rising sign in both zodiacs — and says which one each tradition means. Background: Western astrology.
Ask it something you actually want to know.