Understanding the Differences Between North Indian and South Indian Astrology Charts

Feb 12
3 min read

Astrology plays a significant role in many cultures, especially in India, where it guides decisions about marriage, career, and personal growth. Two main styles of astrology charts dominate Indian astrology: North Indian and South Indian charts. Both serve the same purpose—to map the positions of planets and houses at the time of birth—but they look quite different and follow distinct conventions. Understanding these differences helps anyone interested in astrology read charts more clearly and appreciate the diversity within this ancient practice.

How North Indian and South Indian Charts Look

The most obvious difference between the two charts is their shape and layout.

North Indian Chart

The North Indian chart is diamond-shaped or square with a tilted square inside it. The houses are fixed in position, and the signs move according to the ascendant. The first house is always at the top center diamond, and the other houses follow in a counterclockwise direction. This style emphasizes the houses more than the zodiac signs.

South Indian Chart

The South Indian chart is rectangular or square and divided into 12 fixed boxes arranged in a grid. The zodiac signs are fixed in each box, starting with Aries in the top left corner and moving clockwise. The ascendant or lagna is marked inside the box corresponding to the rising sign. This style highlights the zodiac signs more clearly.

How Houses and Signs Are Represented

In astrology, the 12 houses represent different life areas, while the 12 zodiac signs represent personality traits and planetary influences.

In the North Indian chart, the houses are fixed, and the signs change position depending on the ascendant. For example, if the ascendant is Taurus, Taurus will appear in the first house at the top center, and the other signs will follow in order around the chart.
In the South Indian chart, the signs remain fixed in their boxes, and the ascendant is marked inside the box of the rising sign. The houses move according to the ascendant, but the signs do not shift their positions.

This difference means that North Indian charts focus more on the houses, while South Indian charts make it easier to identify the zodiac signs at a glance.

Reading Planetary Positions

Both charts show the positions of planets like the Sun, Moon, Mars, and others at the time of birth. The planets are placed inside the boxes or diamonds corresponding to their sign and house.

In the North Indian chart, planets are placed inside the diamond or square representing the house they occupy. Since the houses are fixed, it is easier to see which life area a planet influences.
In the South Indian chart, planets are placed inside the box of their zodiac sign. This makes it easier to identify the planetary influence on a particular sign but requires more attention to understand the house placement.

Practical Examples

Imagine a person with Leo as their ascendant.

In the North Indian chart, the first house (ascendant) will be the diamond at the top center, labeled Leo. The other houses will follow in order, with planets placed accordingly.
In the South Indian chart, Leo will always be in the fifth box from the top left (since signs are fixed), and the ascendant will be marked inside that box. The houses will be counted starting from Leo’s box.

This example shows how the same birth details produce two different visual charts but convey the same astrological information.

Why the Differences Matter

The choice between North Indian and South Indian charts often depends on regional preferences and personal comfort.

North Indian charts are popular in northern and western India. They are preferred by astrologers who focus on house-based predictions and want a clear view of life areas.
South Indian charts are common in southern India. They appeal to those who want a straightforward view of zodiac signs and planetary positions.

Both charts require practice to read accurately. Some astrologers use both styles to cross-check interpretations.

Which Chart Should You Use?

If you are new to astrology, the South Indian chart might be easier to understand because the zodiac signs stay fixed, making it simpler to identify planetary positions by sign. If you want to focus on how planets affect different life areas, the North Indian chart offers a clearer house-based view.

Many astrology software and apps provide both chart styles, allowing users to compare and learn.