Across cultures, zodiacs have long been used to understand personality and even predict the future. From Western astrology’s sun signs to various systems in other cultures, these frameworks offer insights into our traits and destinies.
The Japanese zodiac, known as 干支 (eto), is one such system. It’s based on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal. While its roots lie in Chinese astrology, the Japanese zodiac has evolved with its own distinct characteristics and cultural significance.
In Japan, the zodiac animals influence traditions, festivals, and even everyday life. You’ll find them on New Year’s cards, lucky charms, and in stories passed down through generations.
In this article, we’ll explore each of the Japanese zodiac signs, uncover their cultural meaning, and compare them to Western zodiac signs and even blood types. So, what does your Japanese zodiac animal say about you?
The Twelve Animals of the Japanese Zodiac
Like its Chinese counterpart, the Japanese zodiac features 12 animals that are associated with particular years and personality traits. The Japanese zodiac is called Juunishi (十二支), a term that refers to the 12 Earthly Branches.
Here’s a quick look at each of the twelve animals in the Juunishi, along with the Japanese name for each:
- Rat (Nezumi)
- Ox (Ushi)
- Tiger (Tora)
- Rabbit (Usagi)
- Dragon (Tatsu)
- Snake (Hebi)
- Horse (Uma)
- Sheep (Hitsuji)
- Monkey (Saru)
- Rooster (Tori)
- Dog (Inu)
- Boar (Inoshishi)
Individual Zodiac Animal Descriptions
Let’s take a closer look at each of these animals and their associated years and personality traits.
Rat (Nezumi)
- Years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
- Traits: intelligent, resourceful, adaptable
Ox (Ushi)
- Years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
- Traits: hardworking, reliable, patient
Tiger (Tora)
- Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
- Traits: courageous, confident, ambitious
Rabbit (Usagi)
- Years: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
- Traits: gentle, kind, artistic
Dragon (Tatsu)
- Years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
- Traits: powerful, charismatic, lucky
Snake (Hebi)
- Years: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
- Traits: intelligent, mysterious, intuitive
Horse (Uma)
- Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
- Traits: energetic, independent, cheerful
Sheep (Hitsuji)
- Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
- Traits: gentle, compassionate, creative
Monkey (Saru)
- Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
- Traits: witty, intelligent, mischievous
Rooster (Tori)
- Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
- Traits: honest, confident, hardworking
Dog (Inu)
- Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
- Traits: loyal, honest, protective
Boar (Inoshishi)
Note: In Japan, the zodiac features a Boar (Inoshishi) instead of a Pig.
- Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
- Traits: generous, compassionate, diligent
The Japanese Zodiac in Daily Life
The Japanese zodiac isn’t just a fun fact; it’s woven into the fabric of Japanese culture. You see it everywhere, influencing traditions, beliefs, and even everyday decisions.
New Year Celebrations
One of the most prominent examples is New Year. The upcoming zodiac animal becomes a central theme. Decorations featuring the animal pop up in homes and businesses. And nengajo – New Year’s cards – often showcase the animal, spreading good wishes for the coming year.
Zodiac Superstitions
Beyond New Year, the zodiac can impact major life choices. Some people consider zodiac compatibility when choosing a marriage partner or deciding on a career path. Even naming children can be influenced by the zodiac animal associated with their birth year.
There are also specific superstitions tied to certain zodiac signs or years. A particularly strong example is the “Fire Horse” (hinoeuma) year, which occurs every 60 years. Women born in a Fire Horse year were once believed to have fiery personalities and bring bad luck to their husbands, leading to a decline in birth rates during those years. While this belief is less prevalent today, it still resonates in some parts of society.
Ema (Prayer Boards)
When visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan, you’ll often see ema (絵馬) – small wooden plaques that people write prayers or wishes on. Many ema feature images of the zodiac animals, reflecting the individual’s birth year or the animal associated with their wish.
Kanreki (60th Birthday)
The Kanreki (還暦) celebration marks a significant milestone: the 60th birthday. This age signifies the completion of a full cycle of the zodiac. It’s seen as a symbolic rebirth, a return to the beginning. Celebrants often wear red clothing, symbolizing a return to infancy and a fresh start. The Kanreki is a reminder of the cyclical nature of time and the enduring influence of the zodiac on Japanese life.
From the grand celebrations of New Year to the personal wishes written on ema, the Japanese zodiac is more than just a calendar system. It’s a living tradition that continues to shape Japanese culture and beliefs.
Other Astrological and Personality Systems in Japan
While the Japanese Zodiac, based on the Chinese system, is well-known, Japan also incorporates other systems for understanding personality and predicting the future.
Western Zodiac Signs in Japan (星座, seiza)
The Western zodiac signs are also recognized and used in Japan. You’ll often see them used in horoscopes and fortune-telling, much like in Western cultures. Here are a few examples of the Western zodiac signs and their Japanese names:
- Aries – 牡羊座 (ohitsujiza)
- Taurus – 牡牛座 (oushiiza)
- Gemini – 双子座 (futagoza)
- Cancer – 蟹座 (kaniza)
- Leo – 獅子座 (shishiza)
- Virgo – 乙女座 (otomeza)
- Libra – 天秤座 (tenbinza)
- Scorpio – 蠍座 (sasoriza)
- Sagittarius – 射手座 (iteza)
- Capricorn – 山羊座 (yagiza)
- Aquarius – 水瓶座 (mizugameza)
- Pisces – 魚座 (uooza)
So, if you’re an Aries, you can say you’re an ohitsujiza in Japan, and people will understand!
Japanese Blood Type Personalities (血液型, ketsuekigata)
Another popular belief system in Japan is that blood type influences personality. This is called ketsuekigata. Each blood type (A, B, O, and AB) is associated with general personality traits. For example:
- Type A: Often seen as organized, responsible, and detail-oriented, but also can be anxious and sensitive.
- Type B: Known for being creative, passionate, and independent, but sometimes considered selfish or eccentric.
- Type O: Characterized as optimistic, outgoing, and ambitious, but can also be seen as arrogant or insensitive.
- Type AB: Thought to be a mix of A and B, often seen as artistic, intellectual, and adaptable, but can also be unpredictable and critical.
Blood type is often used in self-introductions and social interactions in Japan. It’s a common conversation starter, and people might even make assumptions about you based on your blood type.
Japanese Imperial Reign Eras (元号, gengo)
The Japanese imperial reign era system, or gengo, assigns names to years based on the emperor’s reign. Each emperor’s reign is given a specific name, and that name is used to designate the years within that reign. For example:
- 1980 = Showa 55 (昭和55年) – During the reign of Emperor Showa
- 1991 = Heisei 3 (平成3年) – During the reign of Emperor Heisei
- 2020 = Reiwa 2 (令和2年) – During the reign of the current Emperor, Naruhito (Reiwa)
While not directly related to personality, the gengo system is an important part of Japanese culture and how years are traditionally recorded.
Key Takeaways
The Japanese Zodiac is more than just a fun way to find your animal sign. It’s a window into Japanese culture, traditions, beliefs, and even social interactions. Understanding the Zodiac can give you a richer appreciation for the country and its people.
We’ve covered the basics: the twelve animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar), some of the traits associated with each, and a bit about how the Zodiac is used in everyday life.
But this is just the beginning! If you’re fascinated by what you’ve learned, I encourage you to explore more of Japanese culture and perhaps even learn a little of the Japanese language. Delving deeper into Japanese traditions and customs will give you an even greater understanding of this fascinating country and its unique worldview.