Do you want to know your zodiac sign? Its origin and what it indicates about your personality? Then I invite you to explore this article and discover together the animal that corresponds to you and its meaning. In Japan, many people believe that a person's birth year affects their character to some extent.
The T-lab Zodiac collection.
The origin of the Japanese astrological calendar
You are no doubt aware that China, one of the cradles of culture and science in Asia, has greatly influenced neighboring countries on many subjects. Astrology is no exception to this rule. Indeed, the astrology found in Japan was imported directly from China. Moreover, the Chinese zodiac has spread widely to several other countries such as South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Myanmar. In some countries, the zodiac signs are identical to those of China, while some animals differ in other countries.
Between tradition, culture, and superstition
Every year, the Japanese celebrate the arrival of a new year symbolized by its sign. The Japanese word that represents the animals is Eto. Known to all in advance, because it is cyclical, they begin to celebrate and represent the animal as the date of the year change approaches. This is done through greeting cards called nengajô and stamps featuring these animals.
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 shôgatsu, is ideal for visiting Japan. You can make your wishes and write your hopes on a wooden plaque adorned with the representation of the honored sign.
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 zodiac signs. Once upon a time, oh my best friends, as the moon turned its face towards the light 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, do not forget that while each sign has its strengths and weaknesses, each of them possesses character traits that can make you an extraordinary human being. We all have the possibility to live 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 both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes. However, there are major differences in their origins and astrological theory. In the case of the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs come from ancient reflections on archetypal animals, personality and destiny of people, their relationships with each other, and their birth years.
This differs from Western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based, as you probably know, on the position of the constellations relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and the astrological theory was developed based on the supposed influence of the stars on personalities and human lives. Furthermore, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on an annual basis while the Western zodiac corresponds to "months."
Find your sign
As you may have understood, in Japan, the New Year is a festive period with several events taking place over several days. Find your Japanese astrological 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 Chinese zodiac signs. It is also considered the luckiest zodiac sign. People born in the year of the rat are destined to be lucky. They will have a better chance of having a happy and wealthy life. People of the rat sign born into wealthy families will receive financial help from their family to succeed in their career. They are gifted at knowing how to take advantage of various opportunities to succeed in life. They will receive help from others when they face difficulties in their career or studies.
Cow/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, in addition to that, whenever they start a new project, they do not give up until they reach their goal, but at the same time, they are generally closed-minded and do not like to listen to opinions. They understand the meaning of a promise and are very patient.
Tiger
Born in 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1988, 2010, 2022
People born in the year of the tiger follow their impulses to give in to their emotions, whether to make friends, form a work group, or even when they want to take revenge in certain situations. They are very competitive; they do not give up and really enjoy the feeling of winning. They are generally rebellious.
Rabbit
Born: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
People born in the year of the rabbit are generally gentle, tender and can be described in a few words as kawaii. They hate conflicts as well as difficult situations. Another characteristic 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
Born: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
People born in the year of the dragon are unique, original, and ambitious in the sense of self-improvement. They are also charismatic – nothing stops them from achieving success, when others think something is impossible or simply cannot be done, they do everything to make it happen. They feel very strong and powerful, with extraordinary self-confidence and a lively temperament, and never forget to help the weak.
Snake
Born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2011, 2013, 2025
People born in the year of the snake are also very thoughtful individuals, but when they give their opinion, they become frivolous and distant, making their words very precise. They achieve their goals, even if it sometimes takes longer than necessary, because they always look for the right moment to reach them. They are generally very wise, cautious, and logical.
Horse
Born: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
People born in the year of the horse do not like working for others because they greatly value their freedom, dislike ties, love unexpected changes, and never miss opportunities, even if sometimes they tend to be a bit reckless. They are free-spirited, charismatic, and elegant individuals.
Sheep
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 individuals always looking for other people. They sometimes lack a bit of self-confidence, but they are also noble and generous.
Single
Born in 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
People of the year of the monkey can only be happy when they are in constant motion and with lots of stimulation, they are very curious, versatile, and intelligent, but sometimes they are cunning and calculating, although this makes them excellent problem solvers.
They are very funny and love carefree life, it sometimes seems like arrogance, but it is just simplicity. They are very spiritual and inventive, but get bored very quickly and are always looking for something new.
Rooster
Born: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
People of the year of the rooster do not accept advice and are extremely independent, they have 100% confidence in themselves, are very organized and precise, but sometimes suffer from ignoring others' advice, they always defend others' rights, 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 moods and love being abroad in contact with nature; even one of their best activities is reading books in a park. They are protectors of their family and friends, very loyal, honest, intelligent, eloquent and defenders 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 love studying, they enjoy the good things in life, especially eating and resting, they are experts at being happy even with the simplest things in life. They can sometimes seem lazy, 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 any similarities between yourself and your sign?
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