Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra — Meaning, Deity, Traits & Padas

Uttara Phalgunī means 'the latter reddish one' or 'latter fig-tree'. It is the second of the Phalguni pair and completes the image of the bed, standing for rest earned through commitment.

About Uttara Phalguni

Uttara Phalguni is the twelfth nakshatra, spanning Simha 26°40′ to Kanya 10°00′. Its first pada lies in Leo and the other three in Virgo. Its main star is Denebola (Beta Leonis), the lion's tail. The Sun is its Vimshottari lord, while the Sun and Mercury rule its two signs.

Uttara Phalguni is a dhruva (fixed) nakshatra and one of the most recommended stars for marriage, house construction, griha pravesha and other lasting commitments. Its emphasis on contracts and social bonds fits its deity, Aryaman, the guardian of hospitality and marriage alliances. Many South Indian temples celebrate the divine wedding of their deities on Panguni Uttiram, when the Moon is in this nakshatra in the month of Phalguna.

Traditional characteristics

Uttara Phalguni natives are described as generous, helpful, honest, learned and popular, with a talent for friendship and patronage. They are said to keep their promises, value stable relationships and achieve success through cooperation. Administration, counselling, social work and public relations are traditionally associated with the star.

These descriptions reflect traditional beliefs recorded in Jyotisha literature. Astrologers read the birth nakshatra together with the whole horoscope, and these attributes are not scientific findings.

Deity and mythology

The deity is Aryaman, an Aditya who presides over contracts, hospitality, friendship and marriage customs. In Vedic weddings Aryaman is invoked as the god who unites families, and he is also lord of the Milky Way, the 'path of Aryaman'. In the Bhagavad Gita (10.29) Krishna says, 'Among the pitrs I am Aryaman.'

The four padas of Uttara Phalguni

Each pada spans 3°20′ and corresponds to one navamsa (D9) sign. Uttara Phalguni holds padas 45 to 48 of the 108 in the zodiac.

1. Pada 1: Dhanu (Sagittarius) navamsa — Simha 26°40′ – 30°00′; navamsa lord Jupiter, emphasising idealism, learning, dharma and a philosophical outlook. Name syllable: Te.
2. Pada 2: Makara (Capricorn) navamsa — Kanya 0°00′ – 3°20′; navamsa lord Saturn, emphasising discipline, ambition, responsibility and patient effort. Name syllable: To.
3. Pada 3: Kumbha (Aquarius) navamsa — Kanya 3°20′ – 6°40′; navamsa lord Saturn, emphasising independent thinking, humanitarian ideals and group endeavour. Name syllable: Pa.
4. Pada 4: Meena (Pisces) navamsa — Kanya 6°40′ – 10°00′; navamsa lord Jupiter, emphasising compassion, imagination, devotion and spiritual inclination. Name syllable: Pi.