What is a Rising sign?

Before we answer this, let us first understand how to find out our Sun sign, Moon sign and rising sign. In simple terms, Sun sign and Moon sign are those signs where Sun and Moon are placed in our horoscope. For example, if your Sun is placed in Taurus and Moon is placed in Sagittarius, then your Sun sign would be Taurus (your so-called zodiac sign) and Moon sign would be Sagittarius (also called rashi).
The rising sign is that sign which was prevailing in the horizon at the time of our birth. Since the earth is constantly moving on its axis, all zodiac signs keep making themselves visible in the zodiac during the course of the day. Imagine a new born baby lying down on the bed facing upwards and looking at the sky. The sign visible at that point of time in the sky is the Lagna or Ascendant sign. 
 
 
In Vedic astrology, the rising sign or Lagna of a person represents a lot about the personality of the native. Among the 12 houses in the birth chart, the ascendant or rising sign sits in the very centre of your Janam Kundli in the first house. As the first house of your horoscope, it represents your appearance, physique, childhood, character and virtues, health, childhood, and your inclinations towards different aspects.  Every ascendant is also related to an element, which further tells you about yourself and your character.
 
Every zodiac sign is associated with an element of either Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. With the rising sign calculator, you can know your rising sign and its elements, to understand your personality better.
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
 
Adding to these elements, there are also ruling planets associated with each Lagna or ascendant. Here is how the elements and the ruling planets affect your life and define your characteristics.
Vedic astrology believes in the concept of pre-destination and transmigration of soul which is guided by our karmic patterns. Human life is conceptualised in three forms – body, mind and soul. Our physical existence or body in the present birth is governed by our rising sign (Lagna or Ascendant), while soul is represented by Sun and mind by Moon. 
In other words, the soul (Sun) needs a body (Lagna or Ascendant) to take birth.
The mind (Moon) is that software which helps us to live our everyday life safely and securely. It also helps us make sense of our different life experiences and is responsible for varying emotions. It will define your strengths & weaknesses, likes & dislikes, how you will perceive your life, your behaviour & attitude, and much more.
 
 If a person is born with a low degree of the Lagna, he or she will exhibit less of the characteristics of their rising sign. However, a high degree of the rising sign will impact individuals and their characters much more than the lower degree. Other factors like planetary positions and houses in one’s birth chart also play a major role in their attitude, personality, and the way of living.
 
Finally,
Human personality is not a fixed type, but evolves and develops over the life cycle. Sun sign is that part of life which will always give us true happiness, our cravings, which, at times, are hard to achieve. Lagna or Ascendant highlights the circumstances we will encounter in this birth which, in turn, will shape our personality further. Moon sign is that part of the personality which is constantly shaped by our social encounters and experiences, and helps us make our choices basis what we learn from our environment.