Ashvini

thumb|200px|Aries (constellation)|Aries constellation showing Ashivini

Ashvini (अश्विनी, ) is the first nakshatra (lunar mansion) in Indian astronomy, having a spread from 0°-0'-0" to 13°-20'. It corresponds to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis, and possibly also α Arietis in the oldest versions of the asterism. Ashvini literally means "twin horse-man"; it is depicted as a horse's head and represents twin physician gods, the Ashvins. The name aśvinī is used by Varāhamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda (AVS 19.7; in the dual) and in Pāṇini (4.3.36), was aśvayúja, "harnessing horses". This nakshatra belongs to Mesha Rasi.