Signs, Zodiacs, Astrology and Horoscopes in Japan

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.

Chinese Horoscope in Japanese

Below we will leave the Chinese horoscope:

Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
PortugueseKanjiRomaji
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

Mouse (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.

Serpent, snake (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 (Uma - 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 (Hitsuji - 未)

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 sideways with your finger >>
Portuguese JapaneseRomaji
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

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Kyuuseiki - Ki horoscope of the 9 stars

In this horoscope each year is assigned to a sign using Japanese astronomy called a kyuuseiki (九星気) which totals 9 stars. These 9 stars give each person the influence of a number, color and natural element, in addition to an animal.

Japanese and Chinese zodiac sign, zodiac and horoscope

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 sideways with your finger >>
PortugueseKanjiRōmaji
TailBi
beaked turtleShi
sieved basketKi
house roofKi
StomachI
GhostKi
Scuba diverTo
NetworkHitsu
StarSei
Bond
Neck
LegsKei
CarriageShin
Hairy
Three sistersShin
wingsYoku
WallHeki
PitSei
GirlJyo
EmptyKyo
bedroom
HeartShin
CampShitsu
HornKaku
Willow treeRyû
OxGyû
extended networkChô
FoundationTei

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