Zodiac signs in Japan
Want to know your zodiac sign? Its origin and what does it say about your personality? So I invite you to explore this article and discover together the animal that suits you and its meaning. In Japan, many people believe that a person's year of birth affects their character to some extent.
The T-lab Zodiac collection.
The origin of the Japanese astrological calendar
You are not unaware that China, one of the cradles of culture and science in Asia, has a major influence on neighboring countries on many subjects. Astrology is no exception to this rule. In fact, the astrology found in Japan was imported directly from China. Besides, the Chinese zodiac has spread widely to many other countries such as South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar. In some countries, the zodiac signs are the same as in China, while some animals differ in other countries.
Between tradition, culture and superstition
Each year, the Japanese celebrate the coming of a new year symbolized by its sign. The Japanese word for animals is Eto.. Known to everyone in advance, because cyclical, they begin to celebrate and represent the animal as the date of the change of year approaches. This through greeting cards with the name of nengajô and stamps on which these animals appear.
Going to the shrine to pray for the coming year and sending greeting cards are two very popular ways to celebrate the New Year in Japan. This period called shogatsu, good for visiting Japan. You can make your wishes and write your wishes on a wooden tablet decorated with the representation of the sign in the spotlight.
The Legend of the Race by Buddha
Why these 12 animals in question and not others? Here is one of the many legends around the signs of the zodiac. Once upon a time, O my best friends, as the moon turned its face towards the glow of a new year, the Great Buddha summoned before him all the beasts of creation and organized a race, promising the winners a gift.
The order of the signs corresponds to their order of arrival: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Finally, remember that if each sign has its strengths and weaknesses, each of them has character traits that can make you an extraordinary human being. We all have the ability to live out our best natures.
What are the differences between the Japanese zodiac and western astrology?
The main similarity between the two systems is that they are both based on birth periods, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes. However there are great differences in their origins and in astrological theory. In the case of the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs come from the reflections of the ancients on the archetypal animals, the personality and fate of people, their relationships with each other and their years of birth.
This differs from western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based as you know on the position of the constellations relative to the earth. Constellations were named after Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the supposed influence of stars on human personalities and lives. Also, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on a yearly basis while the western zodiac corresponds to "months".
find your sign
As you will have understood, in Japan, the New Year is a festive period where several events take place, and this for several days. Find your Japanese zodiac sign to learn more about your character.
Meaning of the signs
Mouse/Rat
Born: 1924,1936,1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
The rat is the first animal of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. It is also considered as the luckiest zodiac sign. People born in the Year of the Rat are destined to be lucky. They will be more likely to have a happy and rich life. People of the sign of the rat born in wealthy families will get financial help from their family to succeed in their career. They are good at know how to take advantage various opportunities to succeed in life. They will get help from others when they have difficulties in their career or studies.
Vache/Ox
Born: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
People born in the year of the cow are very serious and modest, on top of that, whenever they embark on a new project, they don't give up until they reach their goal, but at the same time, they are usually closed-minded and don't like not listen to opinions. They know the meaning of a promise and are very patient.
Tigre
Né and 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1988, 2010, 2022
People of the year of the tiger follow their impulses to give in to their emotions, whether to make friends or to form a work group and even when they want revenge in certain situations. They are very competitive; they don't give up and really enjoy the feeling of winning. They are generally rebellious.
Lapland
Nor: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
People in the Year of the Rabbit are usually sweet, tender and we can say in a few words that they are kawaii. They hate conflict, as well as difficult situations. Another of their characteristics is that they are very sentimental and always try to see the positive aspects of life, even if sometimes they build their own imaginary world.
Dragon
Nor: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
People born in the year of the dragon are unique, original, as well than ambitious in the direction of self-improvement. They are also charismatic - nothing prevents them from achieving their success, when others think something is impossible or simply cannot be, they do everything to achieve it. They feel very strong and powerful, with extraordinary self-confidence and a lively temperament, and never forget to help the weakest.
Serpent
Born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2011, 2013, 2025
People in the Year of the Snake also very thoughtful people, but when they go to give their opinion, they become frivolous and distant making their words very precise. They achieve their goals, even it can sometimes take longer than necessary, because they always look for the right moment to achieve them, they are usually very wise, suspicious and logical.
Horse
Born: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
People born in the year of the horse don't like working for other people because they value their freedom very much, they do not like ties, they like unforeseen changes and never let opportunities pass, even if sometimes they have tend to be a bit reckless. They are free-spirited, charismatic and elegant people.
Mouton
Born: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
People born in the year of the sheep are very artistic and creative always looking for other people. They sometimes lack a bit of self-confidence, but they are also noble and generous.
Singe
Né and 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
People in the Year of the Monkey can only be happy when they are in constant motion and with a lot of stimulation, they are very curious, versatile and intelligent, but sometimes they are complicit and calculating, although this makes them excellent problem solvers.
They are very funny and love a carefree life, sometimes it seems arrogant, but it's just simplicity. They are very witty and inventive, but they get bored very quickly and are always looking for something new.
Coq
Birth: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
People in the Year of the Rooster do not accept advice and are extremely independent, they have 100% self-confidence, they are very organized and precise, but they sometimes suffer from ignoring the advice of others, they always defend the rights of others, they are very brave and resourceful.
Dog
Born: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
People born in the Year of the Dog constantly change their moods and enjoy being abroad at contact with nature ; even one of their best activities is reading books in a park. They are the protectors of their family and friends, they are very loyal, honest, intelligent, eloquent and protectors of the weak with a strong sense of duty.
Wild boar
Born in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
People born in the year of the boar are very intelligent and like to study, they like the finer things in life, especially eating and resting, they are specialists in being happy for even the simplest things in life. They may seem lazy at times, but in reality they know when and how to rest. They are tolerant, sensitive and optimistic, always happy and relaxed. .
There you go, you are now an expert on the signs of the Japanese zodiac. Do you see similarities between you and your sign?
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