Zodiac Chart
Bookmark Us!
Tell A Friend
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Japanese Zodiac Translation - Japanese Symbols Translation

 

Japanese Zodiac Signs Chart

The Japanese Zodiac Signs by Birth Year.

Click on your birth year within the chart below to read about your Japanese Zodiac Animal sign character.

 

 

 

 

 

The Animal
Japanese Writing
In Japanese we Say 
The Year of Birth
Rat
ネズミ 
Nezumi2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912
OxうしUshi2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925
Tigerトラ Tora
1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914
RabbitうさぎDragon
1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915
Dragonたつ 
Tatsu
2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916
Snakeへび Hebi
2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917
Horseうま Uma
2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906
Sheep
ひつじHitsuji2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907
Monkeyさる
Saru
2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908
Rooster
とり 
Tori
2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909
Dogいぬ Inu
2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910
BoarいのししInoshishi
2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911

Facts About the Japanese Zodiac.

The Zodiac calendar was introduced from China during ancient times. Sources tell us this was around 604, which at during this period, the Empress Suiko reigned.

The western Zodiac which compromises 12 star signs for the 12 months of the year whereas the Japanese Zodiac is pretty different, it works by calculating the years which rolls back every 12 years. Each year is named after a specific animal such as the Snake ( hebi ), Dragon ( tatsu ), Dog ( inu ), etc which make up the 12 Japanese Zodiac animal signs.

Each persons Zodiac symbol is dependant on the year they were born.
For example, if someone was born in 2007, the Japanese Zodiac for this person would be the Boar or ( inoshishi ) as it is known in Japan.

The Zodiac system above is referenced through a specific name for men and women as well. In Japan, we say "toshi-otoko" for men and "toshi-onna" for women.

In order to facilitate the readings of the Japanese Zodiac calendar, the Japanese created/invented there very own Zodiac symbols using the 12 Animals which appear in the calendar below.

Japanese Zodiac Calendar