Aśvini (अश्विनी)

Ashvini nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).

Ashvini drawing in the stars, animated GIF (SMH 2025)

Aśvini is the name of an Indian twin deity that is asscoiated with the first nakshatra. As gods they initially represent physicians; as asterism they are associated with the star β and γ Arietis in Aries. However, the oldest reconstruction of the image shows a horse head with three stars, suggesting that α Arietis might also have belonged to the asterism.

Etymology and History

Name Variant:

• Dasra

The Ashwini kumaras twins, sons of the sun god Surya. Vedic gods representing the brightness of sunrise and sunset

Origin of Constellation

Asvini is mythologically associated with twin physicians of the Gods. It is represented by the face of a horse, the word asva means a horse.

Identification

β, γ Arietis are certain,

(perhaps also α Ari in some variants, as sometimes three stars are drawn)

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

• 
  Ashvini 10th century CE
• 
  Ashvini Tibetean
• 
  Ashvini (Chinese)
• 
  Ashvini reconstructed by Jones (1720).

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)