Glossary
Lagna: meaning in astrology
Lagna is the Sanskrit word for the ascendant: the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. In Vedic astrology the lagna is the first house, and the signs that follow become the remaining houses in order.
It changes roughly every two hours, so it depends on an accurate birth time. Readings usually start with the lagna and its ruler, then move to the Moon. A rising sign calculator can find yours in both zodiacs.
Where does "Lagna" come up on this site?
9 guides use the term. The ones that use it most:
- Cancer zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Sun in the 1st house: two-lens reading
- Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra: Aja Ekapād and Jupiter
- Chiron in the 1st house: two-lens reading
- Aries zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Gemini zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Leo zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Sagittarius zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Next: compare your birth chart, see today's sky, or make a private vision board.