In the horoscope of Japan and China, luck and the future are determined through animal zodiacs, different from what we are used to in Astrology. There are several popular horoscopes and zodiacs in Japan, in this article we will try to briefly explain each one of them and share a vocabulary list for you to do your personal research.
Unlike the zodiac signs we are used to, Chinese and Japanese horoscopes are usually represented only by animals and by year of birth instead of months. The only difference between the Chinese horoscope and that of Japan is that the animals buffalo, sheep and pig are replaced by ox, goat and wild boar in Japan.
In Japan's horoscope the year begins to be counted on the first day of our solar calendar (oshogatsu) while in China the Chinese new year of the lunar year is used, which lasts 12 months and 29 days. Another difference is the rulers of signs in Japan are replaced by Shinto gods.
Table of Content
Chinese Horoscope in Japanese
Below we will leave the Chinese horoscope:
Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>
| Portuguese | Kanji | Romaji |
| chinese zodiac | 十二支 | juunishi |
| year of snake | 蛇年 | hebidoshi |
| year of sheep | 羊年 | hitsujidoshi |
| year of the pig | 猪年 | inoshishidoshi |
| year dog | 犬年 | inudoshi |
| year of the rat | 鼠年 | nezumidoshi |
| year of the monkey | 猿年 | sarudoshi |
| year of the dragon | 竜年 | tatsudoshi |
| year of the tiger | 虎年 | toradoshi |
| year of the rooster | 鳥年 | toridoshi |
| horse year | 馬年 | umadoshi |
| rabbit year | 兎年 | usagidoshi |
| year of ox | 牛年 | ushidoshi |
Astrologers claim that the precise positions of the planets and zodiac signs at the time a person was born can influence the course of his or her life. Do you believe that?
The purpose of this article is entirely informative, just to clarify the Japanese zodiac name and years. We will not go into detail about each horoscope, but we will briefly list some common characteristics.
Although the horoscope in Japan is very similar to the Chinese one, there are some differences in the ideograms that represent animals. Below we will leave a list of Japanese zodiacs and the years that each one represents and some of their qualities.
The Year of the Animals and its quality
Rato (Nezumi - 子)
Years: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Qualities: Responsible, Intuitive, Charming, Tolerant, Persuasive, Optimistic, Loyal, Idealistic
Ox (Ushi - 丑)
Years: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Qualities: Practical, full of vitality, persistent, hardworking, conservative, reliable and disciplined
Tiger (Tora - 寅)
Years: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Qualities: Intelligent, inventions, humanists, active and provident.
Rabbit, Hare (Usagi - 卯)
Years: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Qualities: Intuitive, original, sympathetic, creative, conscientious, responsible, versatile and principled.
Dragon (Tatsu - 辰)
Years: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Qualities: Competitive, generous, dynamic, hardworking, optimistic, lively and leaders.
Snake, cobra (Mi - 巳)
Years: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Qualities: Stable, conservative, practical, reasonable, loyal, responsible, carefree, sincere, patient and hardworking.
Horse (One - 午)
Years: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Qualities: Flexible, versatile, strong, imaginative, self-confident, intelligent, creative, curious and cordial.
Goat (羊)
Years: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Qualities: Patriotic, sincere, patient, hardworking, persevering, protective, intuitive and tenacious.
Monkey (Saru - 申)
Years: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Qualities: Friendly, creative, idealistic, honorable, sincere, trustworthy, responsible, hardworking, generous and kind.
Rooster (Tori - 酉)
Years: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Qualities: Discerning, punctual, efficient, analytical, practical, judicious, reliable, patient and open-minded.
Dog (Inu - 戌)
Years: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Qualities: Sincere, diplomatic, respectful, fair, cheerful, sensitive, rich, refined, romantic and charming.
Boar (Inoshishi - 亥)
Years: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Qualities: Resourceful, doers, magnetic, determined, versatile, sagacious, reliable and creative.
astrology in japanese
The Japanese also often use the traditional horoscope of monthly signs, here is a list of horoscope signs and astrology terms in Japanese:
Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| Horoscope | 星占い | Hoshiuranai |
| constellations | 星座 | Seiza |
| Áries | 牡羊座 | Ohitsujiza |
| Bull | 牡牛座 | Oushiza |
| Twins | 双子座 | Futagoza |
| Cancer | 蟹座 | Kaniza |
| Lion | 獅子座 | Shishiza |
| Virgin | 乙女座 | Otomeza |
| Lb | 天秤座 | Tenbinza |
| Scorpion | 蠍座 | Sasoriza |
| Sargittarius | 射手座 | Iteza |
| Capricorn | 山羊座 | Yagiza |
| Aquarium | 水瓶座 | Mizugameza |
| Fish | 魚座 | Uoza |
Kyuuseiki - Ki horoscope of the 9 stars
In this horoscope, each year is assigned to a sign using the Japanese astronomy called kyuuseiki (九星気) which totals 9 stars. These 9 stars give each person the influence of a number, color, and natural element, as well as an animal.
The twenty eight mansions
Ancient Chinese astronomers divided the ecliptic sky into four regions, collectively known as the Four Symbols, each attributed to an animal. They are Blue Dragon (青龍) from the east, Black Turtle (玄武) from the north, White Tiger (白虎) from the west, and Red Bird (朱雀) from the south.
Each region contains seven mansions for a total of 28 mansions. These mansions correspond to the longitudes along the ecliptic that the Moon crosses during its 27.32-day journey around the Earth and serve as a means of tracking the Moon's progress.
Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>
| Portuguese | Kanji | Rōmaji |
|---|---|---|
| Tail | 尾 | Bi |
| beaked turtle | 觜 | Shi |
| sieved basket | 箕 | Ki |
| house roof | 危 | Ki |
| Stomach | 胃 | I |
| Ghost | 鬼 | Ki |
| Scuba diver | 斗 | To |
| Network | 畢 | Hitsu |
| Star | 星 | Sei |
| Bond | 婁 | Rô |
| Neck | 亢 | Kô |
| Legs | 奎 | Kei |
| Carriage | 軫 | Shin |
| Hairy | 昴 | Bô |
| Three sisters | 参 | Shin |
| wings | 翼 | Yoku |
| Wall | 壁 | Heki |
| Pit | 井 | Sei |
| Girl | 女 | Jyo |
| Empty | 虚 | Kyo |
| bedroom | 房 | Bô |
| Heart | 心 | Shin |
| Camp | 室 | Shitsu |
| Horn | 角 | Kaku |
| Willow tree | 柳 | Ryû |
| Ox | 牛 | Gyû |
| extended network | 張 | Chô |
| Foundation | 氐 | Tei |
research sources: Wikipedia and the books below: