Cancer (Karka) is the 4th sign of the Vedic zodiac, symbolised by the crab and ruled by Moon. It is a Water sign of Movable (Chara) quality, governing the chest in the body. At its heart, Cancer is about nurturing sensitivity and protective loyalty.
Personality and Nature
Cancer natives are caring, intuitive and home-loving, deeply attached to family and roots. They feel everything and protect what they love fiercely. As a Water sign, the underlying temperament is emotional, intuitive and receptive; the Movable (Chara) quality shapes how that energy is expressed and sustained.
Career and Strengths
Caregiving, hospitality, real estate, nutrition, counselling and history.
Strengths
- Empathy
- Loyalty
- Intuition
- Care
Challenges
- Moodiness
- Clinginess
- Over-sensitivity
Compatibility
Cancer shares its Water element with Scorpio and Pisces, making those pairings naturally harmonious in temperament. In practice, Vedic matchmaking weighs eight kootas from both Moon charts, so element alone is only a starting point. Check any pairing with the free Guna Milan calculator.
Key Attributes
- Ruling planet
Moon - Element
Water - Quality
Movable (Chara) - Symbol
The Crab - Body part
Chest - Sanskrit name
Karka