Dhanu at a glance
| Hindi name | धनु |
|---|---|
| Lord (swami) | Jupiter (गुरु) |
| Element | Fire (अग्नि) |
| Nature | Dwiswabhava (dual) |
| Symbol | Archer (bow) (धनुष) |
| Zodiac span | 240° – 270° sidereal |
| Western equivalent | Sagittarius (tropical signs are about 24° ahead) |
| Deity to worship | Vishnu |
Name letters for Dhanu rashi
Babies born with the Moon in Dhanu are traditionally named starting with one of these syllables. Each belongs to a pada of a nakshatra; your exact letter comes from your birth nakshatra and pada (find it here).
ये Yeयो Yoभा Bhaभी Bhiभू Bhuधा Dhaफा Phaढा Dhaभे Bhe
Nakshatras in Dhanu
Sade Sati for Dhanu rashi
Dhanu is in Shani's Kantaka Shani Dhaiya (4th) now. Its next Sade Sati begins 11 Dec 2043. Sade Sati is the roughly seven-and-a-half years when Saturn passes through the rashi before yours, your own rashi, and the one after. Dates below are calculated from Saturn's actual movement (Lahiri ayanamsa), with retrograde re-entries merged.
| Sade Sati | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Past | 2 Nov 2014 | 17 Jan 2023 |
| Next | 11 Dec 2043 | 25 Feb 2052 |
| Next | 5 Feb 2073 | 1 Jan 2075 |
Shani Dhaiya (Kantaka and Ashtama Shani)
The two-and-a-half-year periods when Saturn is 4th or 8th from Dhanu:
- 4th (Kantaka): 29 Mar 2025 – 23 Feb 2028
- 8th (Ashtama): 13 Jul 2034 – 27 Aug 2036
- 4th (Kantaka): 14 May 2054 – 7 Apr 2057
Sade Sati is not a curse; many people do their most disciplined, lasting work in it. Traditional comfort: recite the Hanuman Chalisa on Saturdays, light a til-oil lamp, and serve those in need. For a personal check from your birth details, use the Sade Sati calculator.
Dhanu rashi: common questions
What are the name letters for Dhanu rashi?
The traditional starting letters for Dhanu (धनु) are Ye (ये), Yo (यो), Bha (भा), Bhi (भी), Bhu (भू), Dha (धा), Pha (फा), Dha (ढा), Bhe (भे). Each comes from one pada (quarter) of the nakshatras in this rashi; the exact letter depends on your birth nakshatra and pada.
Is Sade Sati running for Dhanu rashi?
Dhanu is in Shani's Kantaka Shani Dhaiya (4th) now. Its next Sade Sati begins 11 Dec 2043.
Who is the lord of Dhanu rashi?
Jupiter (गुरु) rules Dhanu. It is a fire sign of dwiswabhava nature, symbolised by the archer (bow). Devotees traditionally worship Vishnu for this rashi, because jupiter (Guru) rules Dhanu; Vishnu is worshipped on Thursdays.
Is Dhanu the same as Sagittarius?
They share the same 30-degree segment of the zodiac, but Vedic astrology measures it against the fixed stars (sidereal), about 24 degrees behind the Western (tropical) zodiac. So most people's Vedic rashi, which is based on the Moon, differs from their Western Sun sign. Use our rashi calculator to find your Moon sign.