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In Japan, everyone immediately knows the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (or Pig). The Chinese zodiac calendar was introduced in Japan around the fourth century. There are twelve animal signs used as symbols for each year, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Read on to learn about the animal zodiac in Japan. In Japan, the Chinese Zodiac is mainly something that shows up around new years to show what this year’s animal is. Every year is dedicated to one of these animals and the cycle repeats in a 12-year cycle. The 12 Zodiac animals in order are: The Chinese Zodiac is called 十二支 じゅうにし or 干支 えと in Japanese. Jûnishi, the twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac are borrowed from the Chinese lunar calendar and although the latter is no longer used, the twelve signs of the zodiac related to it are still very present in Japanese culture. The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is one of most significant events of the year in many Asian cultures. The festivities kick off on the first day of the first lunar month in the calendar, culminating with the 'Lantern Festival' on the 15th day. The date changes every year, but in 2025, it falls on Wednesday, January 29. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Japanese zodiac. Learn the stories behind the 12 animals, Chinese influences, and how to incorporate the zodiac into your New Year Celebrations. The Japanese zodiac, known as “juunishi” (十二支), is deeply embedded in the nation’s traditions – particularly during New Year celebrations. Unlike star signs in the west, which follows monthly cycles, the Japanese zodiac signs span twelve years. Each year is marked by a distinct animal. These animals carry unique meanings and By the time you count the 108th peal, you are ready to start the new year refreshed without anything troubling your mind -- in theory. Toshikoshi-soba (年越し蕎麦) The tradition of eating soba (Japanese noodles) on New Year’s Eve is said to have become common during the Edo era (1603-1868). Despite changing to the Gregorian calendar, Japan celebrates the changing of the zodiac on January 1, welcoming any of the 12 animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In Japan, many shrines feature one, if not all of the members of the zodiac. Just like Lunar New Year itself, the Chinese zodiac has influences in Japan’s New Year celebrations. In Japanese, this is referred to as jūnishi (十二支, twelve branches) or eto (干支, sexagenary cycle) and is also used in fortune telling. However, the animals also play a central role in the New Year celebrations of any given year. Each Chinese lunar year has a Chinese zodiac sign animal. The Chinese zodiac year's stsarting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. It starts from Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac years chart below is provided to help you find out the exact starting and ending dates of the Chinese zodiac years. (This is especially useful for A typical Japanese new year’s decoration, featuring the 12 animals of the zodiac. All about the Japanese zodiac animals Rat 子 (ne) People born in the year of the Rat are intelligent and persuasive, which make them good leaders. They are passionate in achieving success and can come up with creative ways to attain it. Traditionally, Chinese people believe that each zodiac sign has fated personality traits and each different zodiac year has a lot to do with personal horoscopes. Below is our Chinese zodiac calculator . The Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification scheme based on the Chinese calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. [1] The zodiac is very important in traditional Chinese culture and exists as a reflection of Chinese philosophy and culture . [ 2 ] When is Lunar New Year? The date of Lunar New Year differs every year. In 2025 it occurs on 29 January. In many cultures, each year is also associated with an animal from the zodiac. Often the animals are the same across different Asian countries, including China, South Korea, North Korea, Singapore and Cambodia. The Chinese zodiac includes 12 animal signs, in order they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next—2024 is the year of the Dragon, which began on February 10th, 2024, and ends on February 24th, 2024. The Japanese zodiac (Juunishi) is divided into 12 blocks with each block containing a group of years. The years in each block are 12 years apart from the previous or following year (in that block only). By Mao Asabe. In this article, we explain the Japanese zodiac (or juunishi, meaning 12 symbols), and how Japanese people incorporate it in their lifestyles.With juunishi symbols being highly linked to the traditional New Year in Japan, we delve into what the traditional New Year is like in Japan, and whether people celebrate the Chinese New Year. In the Chinese calendar, each year is depicted by one of twelve animals in a repeating cycle known as the Chinese zodiac. Each animal is believed to influence the personality traits, characteristics, and destiny of individuals born in that year. Chinese Calendar Years and Animals. Below is a handy graph to show you which of the Chinese year The Chinese lunar New Year started on February 10. Yokohama Chinatown in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is bustling with activity. This ye
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