Juunishi: The Japanese Zodiac

The twelve zodiac signs in Chinese astrology are represented by 12 animals.

The order is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar.

What is the Chinese zodiac?

Do you know all 12 kinds of zodiac signs? How did the Chinese zodiac come about?

Long ago, when most people in Japan and China lived by farming, it was well known that there was a deep connection between farming and the weather and the seasons.

If it was cold, crops would not grow, and if it was hot, crops would be difficult to grow because the water in the paddies ran out. A calendar was therefore conceived to make it easier to understand the weather and the order of the seasons.

You calculated the number of days and nights and predicted when the next rainfall or storm would come.

The Chinese have always considered Jupiter to be an important planet. Jupiter orbits the sun once every 12 years. Hence, the number 12 became the basis for the idea of time: a year is 12 months, and a day is considered to be 12 hours. In order to make it easier to understand, they have made it correspond to the 12 animals.

Juunishi consists of rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, boar, and dog.  They are used to represent the calendar, time and cardinal directions. The Japanese Zodiac is called Juunishi. In Japan, the 12 animals are applied to the 12 directions. It is similar to European horoscopes. They are used in the design of New Year's cards and to express the year of birth.

Animal meanings in Juunishi

Rat is the first animal of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Rats have high fertility and can multiply to dozens or hundreds of them in a very short time. Therefore, rats are often a symbol of fertility, and the word "rat" means "procreation".

Ox has always been more of a partner in life than a food source. They were essential to our lives, carrying heavy loads and plowing fields. The ox was a symbol of strength, tenacity and integrity.

Tiger is a brave and courageous animal. It is also associated with determination and resourcefulness.

Rabbit is a gentle and serene animal. For this reason, it is a symbol of safety. It also has the meaning of leapfrogging and improvement.

Dragon is the only imaginary creature of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. In the East the dragon is an intimate symbol of life. In China, the dragon has been a symbol of power since ancient times, and Japan has been influenced by this. From this, the dragon has a connotation of power.

Snake is a symbol of eternity, life and rebirth in the world, as it grows through repeated moulting. It is associated with people who think deeply, and handle money wisely.

Horse, like the ox, was an important partner in life. The horse is one of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac which symbolizes health and good harvest.

Ram is one of the animals that prefers to live in groups. Therefore, it is the symbol of family security among the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Monkey is highly intelligent and has been believed to be a messenger of God. Therefore, the Monkey is the animal that symbolizes a wise man.

Rooster is a symbol of business prosperity. They are often associated with ambition and speaking directly.

Dog, along with the Ox and Horse, have been living with humans since ancient times. The Dog is especially loyal to its master, and is therefore a symbol of loyalty.

Boar meat has long been thought to be good for all diseases, and is a symbol of good health. Because the boar is known for their bravery and temper, the Boar is also associated with single-mindedness and passion. In Japan, it is a wild Boar in the Zodiac, but in China, it is a Pig.

Zodiac, Direction & Time

In modern times, the twelve signs of the zodiac are used to indicate the year, but originally they were used to indicate direction and time.

In ancient Japan, they used Juunishi to indicate the time with animal nouns. The base time was set as the reference time, and the hour before and after the base time was named Juunishi, the twelve signs of the zodiac. For example, they called 12 o'clock "Time of Ox".  It's a very cute saying, isn’t it?