In the Japanese horoscope, or Juunishi (十二支), there is a twelve-year cycle, a period called Eto (干支), represented, respectively, by twelve animals, representations of Shinto gods: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. In other words, each animal is responsible for governing the characteristics of each year.
The Juunishi is based on the Chinese zodiac, but differs in a few details. For example, the pig is replaced by the boar in Japanese belief. Another variant is the start date of the New Year and, thus, of another cycle in the horoscope - since the Chinese zodiac combines the solar cycle with the lunar one, therefore being lunisolar, and the Japanese zodiac is based only on lunar cycles, following the Gregorian calendar (instituted in 1582) as we know it today: Years comprising 365 days, 12 months, weeks of seven days, and days of 24 hours.
According to legend, the Chinese horoscope came after Buddha held a year-end party in heaven and invited all animals, but only a few attended. To reward those who took part in the party, Buddha gave each animal a year to influence him with their personality, attributing each animal’s energy to each year, within the Eto. And, thus, 1300 years later, Japan also joined the zodiacal schedule.
On January 1, 2021, the cycle began under the influence of the Ox - an animal described as a worker, cautious, reliable, and friendly.
Did you know that in Japan there is a custom of sending Nengajo (年賀状), or New Year cards in Portuguese? The main type of card involves the sign of the year, according to the Japanese horoscope.
The animal that governs JHSP is the Rooster, since 2017 was the year the institution opened in Brazil.
Find out your sign in the Japanese horoscope based on the year you were born:
Rat(子 - ne): 1924,1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox (丑- ushi): 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger (寅 - tora): 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit (卯 - usagi): 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon (辰 - tatsu): 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Snake (巳 - mi): 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse (午 - uma): 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Sheep (未 - hitsuji): 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Monkey (申 - saru): 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Rooster (酉 - tori): 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Dog (戌 - inu): 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Boar (亥 - inoshishi): 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Each of the twelve animals has different influences due to its characteristics and peculiarities. Check them out:
Rat: persuasive, communicative, kind, loving, and helpful.
Ox: hardworking, cautious, reliable, friendly, and faithful.
Tiger: courageous, confident, intuitive, and needy.
Rabbit: creative, friendly, passionate about mysteries, and spiritual.
Dragon: competitive, safe, and persevering.
Snake: serene, stubborn, demanding, and romantic.
Horse: curious, restless, elegant, and intellectual.
Sheep: sensitive, kind, artistic, and a companion.
Monkey: true, responsible, a born leader, and friendly.
Rooster: diligent, critical, calm, studious, and intelligent.
Dog: affectionate, sensual, thinker, and impatient.
Boar: ambitious, patient, and sincere.
Did you identify with your Japanese sign? :)
