Edited: November 5, 2024

                                                                                                   The 12 signs of the Japanese zodiac

                                                                                                                                        Ten - 干支

In Japan, many people believe that the year of a person's birth, to some extent affects his character, and it may even be useful to consult an astrologer if someone should find love.

On the other hand, being interested in someone else's sign can often be a polite way to find out their age. If we give credit to this theory, it is not surprising that many women choose not to give a direct answer.

In addition to their amazing customs, the Japanese are different from the rest of the world with astrology and the things they believe in, the signs of the Japanese horoscope are a perfect invitation for all people who want to know what the predictions for their life are.

The Origin Story of the Zodiac

The origins of the Japanese Zodiac beliefs are derived from the Chinese concept of the zodiac and the adoption of the twelve-year cycle.

A long, long time ago God decided to gather 12 animals in order to create the zodiac.
He asked the animals to meet on January 1st letting them know that the selection would be in accordance with the order in which they were arriving.

During the talk, the cat was late and asked the mouse what was going on.

The mouse replied that the animals were going to meet on January 2nd for the selection of the animals of the zodiac.

When the date arrived, the animals began to move for the meeting, of all the animals the cow was the slowest of all, so he decided to get up very early to start the road and arrive on time. The mouse took advantage of the fact that the cow left early and climbed on the back of the cow, upon arriving in front of the God who had summoned them, the mouse jumped from the cow's back to be the first animal to arrive.

Then came the cow, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and finally the wild pig.

When the cat arrived, he realized that he had been deceived by the mouse and that is how he began to chase the mouse to this day swearing that he would never forgive the mouse for his deceit.

After reading this story, would you like to know what is your sign? Then you can find what it is your friends sign too.

Mouse/Rat

Born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032

The people of the year of the mouse are people with a lot of intuition and stealthy attitude, they are very good leaders and it is very difficult to deceive them. They are very charismatic and passionate people, they like money and power very much, they are very observant and live in the pursuit of perfection. Two very famous people from Japan born in the year of the mouse are Crown Prince Naruhito and Emperor Meiji.

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 every time they embark on a new project they do not give up until they complete their goal, but at the same time, they are usually closed-minded and do not like to listen to opinions. They know the meaning of a promise, and they are very patient. One of Japan's famous characters of the year of the cow is Mario from Super Mario Bros. Now we know why he doesn't mind going through 8 worlds until he manages to rescue the princess.

Tiger

Born in 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1988, 2010, 2022

The people of the year of the tiger follow their impulses to give into their emotion, whether its to make friends or to make a work group and even when they want to take revenge in some situations. They are very competitive; they don't give up, and they really like the feeling of winning. They are usually rebellious. A very famous character from Japan that is of the year of the tiger is Hello Kitty although she is never fighting or is not a rebel, perhaps for being a very happy and cheerful cat.

Rabbit

Born: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035

People of the year of the rabbit are usually sweet, tender and can be said in a few words that they are kawaii. But sometimes they are reserved, though regarded with trust. They hate conflicts, as well as difficult situations. Another feature they have is that they are very sentimental and always try to see the positive aspects of life, although sometimes they build their own fantasy world. Two celebrities from Japan who were born in the year of the rabbit are Kumamon and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Dragon

Born: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

People born in the year of the dragon are unique, original, as well as ambitious in the sense of self-improvement. They are also charismatic- nothing stops them from achieving their success, when others think that something is impossible or simply cannot, they do anything to achieve it. They feel very strong and powerful with extraordinary self-confidence and a quick-temper, and never forget to help the weakest. Two famous people from Japan of the year of the dragon are ASIMO and Shigeru Miyamoto who is considered the father of video games because, at a time when nobody knew how to route the market, he knew how to do it and took control.

Snake

Born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2011, 2013, 2025

The people of the year of the snake think things well before speaking and are also very thoughtful people, but when they are going to give their opinion, they become frivolous and distant making their words very precise.

They reach their goals, even if they do not reach them directly because they always look for the right moment to reach them, they are usually very wise, distrustful and logical. A very famous person from Japan who is of the year of the snake is Hayao Miyazaki, he is reputed to be distant from people and sometimes he is taken as an unfriendly person, but this really is because he surely wants to be focused on his work without distractions.

Horse

Born: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

People born in the year of the horse do not like to work for other people because they appreciate their freedom very much, they do not like ties, they like unforeseen change and never let opportunities pass, although sometimes they tend to be a bit imprudent. They are people of free, charismatic and elegant spirits. One of the famous people of Japan-born in the year of the horse was Oda Nobunaga Daimyou (an important feudal lord).

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 people always seeking other people. Sometimes they are a little insecure of themselves, but they are also noble and generous. A famous person in Japan born in the year of the sheep is Akira Toriyama, author of Dragon Ball.

Monkey

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 movement and with a lot of stimulation, they are very curious, versatile and intelligent, but sometimes they are conniving and calculating, though this makes them excellent problem solvers.

They are very funny and love carefree life, this sometimes seems arrogance, but it's just simplicity. They are very witty and inventive, but they get bored very fast and are always in search of something new. A very famous character from Japan who is of the year of the monkey is Doraemon who is intelligent but also sometimes a little cheater.

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 trust themselves 100%, they are very organized and precise, but sometimes they suffer from ignoring the advice of others, they always defend the rights of other people, they are very brave and resourceful. One of the very famous people in Japan born in the year of the rooster was Murasaki Shikebu, a famous novelist.

Dog

Born: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Those born in the year of the dog constantly change their mood and like to be abroad in contact with nature even one of their best activities is to read books in a park. They are protectors of their family and their friends are very loyal, honest, intelligent, eloquent and protectors of the weak with a strong sense of duty. A famous person from Japan born in the year of the dog is Suzuki Shinishi, musician and inventor of the Suzuki method for children to learn to play the violin, the piano among other instruments.

Boar/Wild pig

Born in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

People born in the year of the wild boar are very intelligent and enjoy the study, they love the good things in life especially eating and resting, they are specialists in being happy even for the simplest things in life. Sometimes they may seem lazy but the reality is that they know when and how to rest. They are tolerant, sensitive and optimistic, always happy and relaxed. A famous person in Japan of the year of the wild pig was Kawabata Yasunari, a writer who marked history in 1968, as he was the first Japanese to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Is there a lot of similarity with you and your Japanese zodiac sign? (干支 - Ten)

Thank you for reading, until next time!