Junishi (Japanese Twelve zodiac animal signs)

What is Junishi?

It is said that the origin of Junishi (the Japanese twelve zodiac animal signs / 十二支じゅうにし) derives from the fact that, in the Yin dynasty of China, Wang Chong (王充おういつ) had written the literature, assigning familiar animals in order to make it easier to remember the number of words that count the years.

In the Yin dynasty, there are already the ten numerals to count the sun, and they are called “jikkan” (the ten Heavenly Stems / 十干じっかん). Later, they came to be used in combination with Junishi and the combination is called “Eto / 干支えと“.

Junishi and Jikkan

Jikkan (the ten Heavenly Stems / 十干)

Kou ( 甲こう / Kinoe), Otsu (乙おつ / Kinoto), Hei (丙へい / Hinoe), Tei (丁てい / Hinoto) , Bo (戊ぼ / Tsuchinoe), Ki (己き / Tsuchinoto), Kou (庚こう / Kanoe), Shin (辛しん / Kanoto), Jin (壬じん / Mizunoe), Ki (癸き / Mizunoto)

Jikkan (十干じっかん) is a method of counting that was born in ancient China, and counts 10 days as one phrase (one division) as Kou / 甲, Otsu / 乙, Hei / 丙, Tei / 丁, Bo / 戊, Ki / 己, Kou / 庚, Shin / 辛, Jin / 壬, and Ki / 癸. Eventually, Jikkan came to be considered as a combination of the yin and yang properties (yin and yang philosophy / 陰陽いんよう思想しそう) and the attributes of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water (five element theory / 五行ごぎょう説せつ). In Japan, “yang / 陽よう” likened to “E / 兄え (elder brother)” and “yin / 陰いん” likened to “TO / 弟と (younger brother)”, and the following names are used to read Jikkan in Kunyomi (Japanese reading of kanji). The yin-yang theory and the theory of the five elements were also born in ancient China, and are great ways of thinking that have influenced not only Jikkan and Junishi, but also various later thoughts and philosophies. For details, please refer to this page.

Jikkan also plays a role in determining Eho / 恵方えほう (lucky directions). Eho is the direction of Toshitokujin / 歳徳神としとくじん, the god of Onmyodo / 陰陽道おんみょうどう, and is considered to be the best direction of the year. For example, in 2024, “Eto / 干支えと” is Knoe-tatsu / 甲辰 (Yin earth dragon) and Jikkan is Kinoe / 甲きのえ (Yin wood), so Eho in 2024 is “east-northeast by east / 東とう北ほく東とうやや東ひがし“.

Junishi (the twelve zodiac animal signs / 十二支) 

Rat (子/ ne), Cow (丑 / ushi), Tiger (寅 / tora), Rabbit (卯 / u), Dragon (辰 / tatsu), Snake (巳 / mi), Horse (午 / uma), Sheep (未 / hituji), Monkey (申 / saru), Rooster (酉 / tori), Dog (戌 / inu), Boar (亥 / i)

As shown in the table above, 12 directions were determined using Junishi, and Jikkan were used for the 24 directions.

Onmyodo / 陰陽道おんみょうどう, which was established during the Heian period in Japan based on the theory of the five elements of Yin and Yang, considers the passage of demons (Jaki / 邪気じゃき evil spirits)” to be the “kimon / 鬼門きもん (the demon’s gate)”, and its direction is the northeast direction of “Ushitora / 丑寅うしとら“. In addition, the opposite direction of the kiimon (the demon’s gate), southwest “Hitsujisaru / 未申ひつじさる” is called the “ura-kimon / 裏うら鬼門きもん“. The kimon and the ura-kimon are considered unfavorable directions because evil spirits pass through them, and it is said that it is not a good idea to install entrances and water facilities such as a kitchen and toilets in these directions.

Year of birth and Eto (Jikkan + Junishi)

Eto / 干支えと is a combination of Jikkan and Junishi only in the patterns of yang and yang and yin and yin, and there are 60 patterns. In Japan we read Eto with Kun-yomi mostly.

Jikkan / 十干じっかん (the ten Heavenly Stems) : 甲Kinoe (Kou), 乙Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu), 丙Hinoe (Hei), 丁Hinoto (Tei), 戊Tsuchinoe (Bo), 己Tsuchinoto (Ki), 庚Kanoe (Kou), 辛Kanoto (Shin), 壬Mizunoe (Jin), 癸Mizunoto (Ki) *Brackets are On-yomi (readings derived from the Chinese pronunciations). Readings above Kanji are Kun-yomi (Japanese readings).

Junishi / 十二支じゅうにし (the twelve zodiac animal signs) : 子Ne (Shi/Rat), 丑Ushi (Chu/Ox), 寅Tora (In/Tiger), 卯U (Bou/Rabbit), 辰Tatsu (Shin/Dragon), 巳Mi (Shi/Snake), 午Uma (Go/Horse), 未Hitsuji (Bi/Sheep), 申Saru (Shin/Monkey), 酉Tori (Yu/Rooster), 戌Inu (Jutsu/Dog), 亥I (Gai/Boar) *Brackets are On-yomi and animals. Readings above Kanji are Kun-yomi (Japanese readings).

Eto (Jikkan + Junishi) / 干支えと	Year of birth	Yin-Yang and the five elements / 陰陽いんよう五行ごぎょう
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Ne (Shi) 子し 甲子 / Kinoe–ne きのえね	1924 / 1984	Kinoe: Yang Wood Ne: Yang Water
Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu) 乙おつ + Ushi (Chu) 丑ちゅう 乙丑 / Kinoto–ushi きのとうし	1925 / 1985	Kinoto: Yin Wood Ushi: Yin Earth
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい + Tora (In) 寅いん 丙寅 / Hinoe–tora ひのえとら	1926 / 1986	Hinoe: Yang Fire Tora: Yang Wood
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + U (Bou) 卯ぼう 丁卯 / Hinoto–u ひのとう	1927 / 1987	Hinoto: Yang Fire U: Yang Wood
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Tatsu (Shin ) 辰しん 戊辰 / Tsuchinoe–tatsu つちのえたつ	1928 / 1988	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Tatsu: Yang Earth
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + Mi (Shi) 巳し 己巳 / Tsuchinoto–mi つちのとみ	1929 / 1989	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth Mi: Yin Fire
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Uma (Go) 午ご 庚午 / Kanoe–uma かのえうま	1930 / 1990	Kanoe: Yang Metal Uma: Yang Fire
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + Hitsuji (Bi) 未び 辛未 / Kanoto–hitsuji かのとひつじ	1931 / 1991	Kanoto: Yang Metal Hitsuji: Yang Earth
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Saru (Shin) 申しん 壬申 / Mizunoe–saru みずのえさる	1932 / 1992	Mizunoe: Yang Water Saru: Yang Metal
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + Tori (Yu) 酉ゆう 癸酉 / Mizunoto–tori みずのととり	1933 / 1993	Mizunoto: Yin Water Tori: Yin Metal
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Inu (Jutsu) 戌じゅつ 甲戌 / Kinoe–inu きのえいぬ	1934 / 1994	Kinoe: Yang Wood Inu: Yang Earth
Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu) 乙おつ + I (Gai) 亥がい 乙亥 / Kinoto–i きのとい	1935 / 1995	Kinoto: Yin Wood I: Yin Water
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい + Ne (Shi) 子し 丙子 / Hinoe–ne ひのえね	1936 / 1996	Hinoe: Yang Fire Ne: Yang Water
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + Ushi (Chu) 丑ちゅう 丁丑 / Hinoto–ushi ひのとうし	1937 / 1997	Hinoto: Yin Fire Ushi: Yin Earth
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Tora (In) 寅いん 戊寅 / Tsuchinoe–tora つちのえとら	1938 / 1998	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Tora: Yang Wood
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + U (Bou) 卯ぼう 己卯 / Tsuchinoto–u つちのとう	1939 / 1999	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth U: Yang Wood
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Tatsu (Shin) 辰しん 庚辰 / Kanoe–tatsu かのえたつ	1940 / 2000	Kanoe: Yang Metal Tatsu: Yang Earth
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + Mi (Shi) 巳し 辛巳 / Kanoto–mi かのとみ	1941 / 2001	Kanoto: Yin Metal Mi: Yin Fire
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Uma (Go) 午ご 壬午 / Mizunoe–uma みずのえうま	1942 / 2002	Mizunoe: Yang Water Uma: Yang Fire
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + Hitsuji (Bi) 未び 癸未 / Mizunoto–hitsuji みずのとひつじ	1943 / 2003	Mizunoto: Yin Water Hitsuji: Yin Earth
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Saru (Shin) 申しん 甲申 / Kinoe–saru きのえさる	1944 / 2004	Kinoe: Yang Wood Saru: Yang Metal
Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu) 乙おつ + Tori (Yu) 酉ゆう 乙酉 / Kinoto–tori きのととり	1945 / 2005	Kinoto: Yin Wood Tori: Yin Metal
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい + Inu (Jutsu) 戌じゅつ 丙戌 / Hinoe–inu ひのえいぬ	1946 / 2006	Hinoe: Yang Fire Inu: Yang Earth
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + I (Gai) 亥がい 丁亥 / Hinoto–i ひのとい	1947 / 2007	Hinoto: Yin Fire I: Yin Water
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Ne (Shi) 子し 戊子 / Tsuchinoe–ne つちのえね	1948 / 2008	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Ne: Yang Water
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + Ushi (Chu) 丑ちゅう 己丑 / Tsuchinoto–ushi つちのとうし	1949 / 2009	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth Ushi: Yin Earth
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Tora (In) 寅いん 庚寅 / Kanoe–tora かのえとら	1950 / 2010	Kanoe: Yang Metal Tora: Yang Wood
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + U (Bou) 卯ぼう 辛卯 / Kanoto–u かのとう	1951 / 2011	Kanoto: Yin Metal U: Yin Wood
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Tatsu (Shin) 辰しん 壬辰 / Mizunoe–tatsu みずのえたつ	1952 / 2012	Mizunoe: Yang Water Tatsu: Yang Earth
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + Mi (Shi) 巳し 癸巳 / Mizunoto–mi みずのとみ	1953 / 2013	Mizunoto: Yin Water Mi: Yin Fire
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Uma (Go) 午ご 甲午 / Kinoe–uma きのえうま	1954 / 2014	Kinoe: Yang Wood Uma: Yang Fire
Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu) 乙おつ / Hitsuji (Bi) 未び 乙未 / Kinoto–hitsuji きのとひつじ	1955 / 2015	Kinoto: Yin Wood Hitsuji: Yin Earth
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい+ Saru (Shin) 申しん 丙申 / Hinoe–saru ひのえさる	1956 / 2016	Hinoe: Yang Fire Saru: Yang Metal
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + Tori (Yu) 酉ゆう 丁酉 / Hinoto–tori ひのととり	1957 / 2017	Hinoto: Yin Fire Tori: Yin Metal
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Inu (Jutsu) 戌じゅつ 戊戌 / Tsuchinoe–inu つちのえいぬ	1958 / 2018	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Inu: Yang Earth
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + I (Gai) 亥がい 己亥 / Tsuchinoto–i つちのとい	1959 / 2019	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth I: Yin Water
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Ne (Shi) 子し 庚子 / Kanoe–ne かのえね	1960 / 2020	Kanoe: Yang Metal Ne: Yang Water
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + Ushi (Chu) 丑ちゅう 辛丑 / Kanoto–ushi かのとうし	1961 / 2021	Kanoto: Yin Metal Ushi: Yin Earth
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Tora (In) 寅いん 壬寅 / Mizunoe–tora みずのえとら	1962 / 2022	Mizunoe: Yang Water Tora: Yang Wood
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + U (Bou) 卯ぼう 癸卯 / Mizunoto–u みずのとう	1963 / 2023	Mizunoto: Yin Water U: Yin Wood
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Tatsu (Shin) 辰しん 甲辰 / Kinoe–tatsu きのえたつ	1964 / 2024	Kinoe: Yang Wood Tatsu: Yang Earth
Kinoto (Otsu/Itsu) 乙おつ + Mi (Shi) 巳し 乙巳 / Kinoto–mi きのとみ	1965 / 2025	Kinoto: Yin Wood Mi: Yin Fire
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい + Uma (Go) 午ご 丙午 / Hinoe–uma ひのえうま	1966 / 2026	Hinoe: Yang Fire Uma: Yang Fire
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + Hitsuji (Bi) 未び 丁未 / Hinoto–hitsuji ひのとひつじ	1967 / 2027	Hinoto: Yin Fire Hitsuji: Yin Earth
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Saru (Shin) 申しん 戊申 / Tsuchinoe–saru つちのえさる	1968 / 2028	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Saru: Yang Metal
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + Tori (Yu) 酉ゆう 己酉 / Tsuchinoto–tori つちのととり	1969 / 2029	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth Tori: Yin Metal
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Inu (Jutsu) 戌じゅつ 庚戌 / Kanoe–inu かのえいぬ	1970 / 2030	Kanoe: Yang Metal Inu: Yang Earth
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + I (Gai) 亥がい 辛亥 / Kanoto–i かのとい	1971 / 2031	Kanoto: Yin Metal I: Yin Water
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Ne (Shi) 子し 壬子 / Mizunoe–ne みずのえね	1972 / 2032	Mizunoe: Yang Water Ne: Yang Water
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + Ushi (Chu) 丑ちゅう 癸丑 / Mizunoto–ushi みずのとうし	1973 / 2033	Mizunoto: Yin Water Ushi: Yin Earth
Kinoe (Kou) 甲こう + Tora (In) 寅いん 甲寅 / Kinoe–tora きのえとら	1974 / 2034	Kinoe: Yang Wood Tora: Yang Wood
Kinoto (Otsu/ Itsu) 乙おつ / U (Bou) 卯ぼう 乙卯 / Kinoto–u きのとう	1975 / 2035	Kinoto: Yin Wood U: Yin Wood
Hinoe (Hei) 丙へい + Tatsu (Shin) 辰しん 丙辰 / Hinoe–tatsu ひのえたつ	1976 / 2036	Hinoe: Yang Fire Tatsu: Yang Earth
Hinoto (Tei) 丁てい + Mi (Shi) 巳し 丁巳 / Hinoto–mi ひのとみ	1977 / 2037	Hinoto: Yin Fire Mi: Yin Fire
Tsuchinoe (Bo) 戊ぼ + Uma (Go) 午ご 戊午 / Tsuchinoe–uma つちのえうま	1978 / 2038	Tsuchinoe: Yang Earth Uma: Yang Fire
Tsuchinoto (Ki) 己き + Hitsuji (Bi) 未び 己未 / Tsuchinoto–hitsuji つちのとひつじ	1979 / 2039	Tsuchinoto: Yin Earth Hitsuji: Yin Earth
Kanoe (Kou) 庚こう + Saru (Shin) 申しん 庚申 / Kanoe–saru かのえさる	1980 / 2040	Kanoe: Yang Metal Saru: Yang Metal
Kanoto (Shin) 辛しん + Tori (Yu) 酉ゆう 辛酉 / Kanoto–tori かのととり	1981 / 2041	Kanoto: Yin Metal Tori: Yin Metal
Mizunoe (Jin) 壬じん + Inu (Jutsu) 戌じゅつ 壬戌 / Mizunoe–inu みずのえいぬ	1982 / 2042	Mizunoe: Yang Water Inu: Yang Earth
Mizunoto (Ki) 癸き + I (Gai) 亥がい 癸亥 / Mizunoto–i みずのとい	1983 / 2043	Mizunoto: Yin Water I: Yin Water

Folklore

Junishi (the twelve earthly signs / 十二支) was transmitted to Japan around the 6th century, and spread to the people as folklore with easy-to-understand animals. Asian countries, especially China, have folk tales about Junishi. In Tibet and Thailand, cats are in Junishi. The following folklore has been transmitted to Japan.

Anime of Junishi on YouTube

Junishi and the honzon (Guardian Buddhas)

Junishi animals have each honzon (Guardian Buddha).

The honson (Guardian Buddha) protects Junishi.

It is said that casting a shingon (mantra) will bring you benefits.

The details will be introduced on the “Sanskrit & Buddha” page.

Twelve branches have their assigned time zone, direction, and month. In the Edo period, Twelve branches was used to represent time, such as a “Ne no koku” (rat’s clock).

Also we introduce the five elements and Yin-Yang assigned to Twelve branches. The five elements are the philosophical thought of ancient China that is the basis of the Feng Shui idea, and it is the idea that everything is made up of “wood” “fire” “earth” “metal” “water”.

RatCowTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyRoosterDogBoar

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the rat ： Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshwara)Source: Kyoto, Myohouin Sanjusangendo [National Treasure]

[子 / Ne (Rat / 鼠 Nezumi)] Energy & wealth
Rats have the meaning of prosperity of their offspring, since they will soon grow and grow. Time, direction, moon： 23:00 – 1:00 / North / November
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Water, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year： 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the cow ： Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akasagarbha Bodhisattva)Source: Gifu, Itoshirotaishido [Important Cultural Property]

[丑 / Ushi (Cow / 牛 Ushi)] Persistence & honesty
Meat is an important food, power is labor, bone is an important material for engraving letters, and supports society. Time, direction, moon： 1:00 – 3:00 / North-notheast / December
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Earth, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the tiger ： Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akasagarbha Bodhisattva)Source: Gifu, Itoshirotaishido [Important Cultural Property]

[寅 / Tora (Tiger / 虎 Tora)] Decisiveness & wisdom
The tiger was considered to be a shining star in the night sky because of the beautiful pattern of the fur on the body.Time, direction, moon： 3:00 – 5:00 / East-northeast January
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Wood, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the rabbit ： Monju Bosatsu (Budhisattva)Source: Nara / Kofukuji Temple / [National Treasure] sitting statue of Monju Bosatsu

[卯 / U (Rabbit / 兎 Usagi)] Warm & obedient The calm appearance of the rabbit represents the peace of the house and the leap from the jumping figure.Time, direction, moon： 5:00 – 7:00 / East / February
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Wood, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the dragon ： Fugen Bosatsu (Budhisattva)Source: Tokyo, Okura Shukokan / [National Treasure] statue of Fugen Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) riding on an elephant

[辰 / Tatsu (Dragon / 龍 Tatsu)] Sense of justice & trust
Dragon, a legendary creature, is said to be the good omen, and since ancient times in China it has been regarded as a symbol of power.Time, direction, moon： 7:00 – 9:00 / East-southeast / March
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Earth, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year： 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the Snake ： Fugen Bosatsu (Budhisattva)Source: Tokyo, Okura Shukokan / [National Treasure] statue of Fugen Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) riding on an elephant

[巳 / Mi (Snake / 蛇 Hebi)] Inquiring mind & passion
It is said that the snake is obstinate, but it is said that the snake will give back to those who helped.Time, direction, moon： 9:00 – 11:00 / South-southeast / April
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Fire, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the horse ： Seishi Bosatsu (Seishi Bodhisattva)Source: Osaka, Ai Dainenji

[午 / Uma (Horse / 馬 Uma) ] Cheerful & flashy
Horses are old animals that have a long relationship with people. It was helpful for people, and humans also treated horses carefully.Time, direction, moon： 11:00 -13:00 / South / May
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Fire, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966 , 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the sheep ： Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana) Source: Aomori, Seiryuji Temple / Wikipedia / Showa Daibutsu

[未 / Hitsuji (Sheep / 羊 Hitsuji)] Calm & humanly
The flocking sheep show the security of the family and mean to live in peace forever.Time, direction, moon： 13:00-15:00 / Southwest / June
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Earth, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the monkey ： Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana) Source: Aomori, Seiryuji Temple / Wikipedia / Showa Daibutsu

[申 / Saru (Monkey / 猿 Saru)] Skillful & flexible
The monkey was a wise animal in the mountain and believed to be a messenger of Yamagami (mountain god). It is a familiar animal even as a target of faith.Time, direction, moon： 15:00 -17:00 / West-southwest /July
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Metal, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the Rooster ： Fudo Myoo (Acala – one of the five Kings of Wisdom)Source: Tokyo, Takabatasan Kongouji Temple

[酉 / Tori (Roosker / 鶏 Tori)] Kind & caring
“Tori” is said to be “tori-komu (take-in)”, and is considered to be good for business.Time, direction, moon： 17:00 -19:00 / West / August
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Metal, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005,2017, 2029

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the dog ： Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata)Source: Kotokuin, Kamakura Daibutsu / [National Treasure] bronze sitting statue of Amida Nyorai

[戌 / Inu (Dog / 犬 Inu)] Diligence & hardworking
Dogs are social and faithful. Dogs are old and friendly animals that are associated with people.Time, direction, moon： 19:00 – 21:00 / West-northwest / September
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Metal, Yang (Positive / 陽)
Born year: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Guardian Buddha of People Born in Zodiac Year of the boar ： Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata)Source: Kotokuin, Kamakura Daibutsu / [National Treasure] bronze sitting statue of Amida Nyorai

[亥 / I (Boar / 猪 Inoshishi)] Courage & adventure
Boar meat is said to prevent all disease and is considered to be a symbol of disease-free disease.Time, direction, moon： 21:00 – 23:00 / North-northwest / October
Yin-Yang (the cosmic dual forces), the five element： Water, Yin (Negative / 陰)
Born year: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Junishi and “Toshi-otoko” “Toshi-onna”

Pat

Once in 12 years, the zodiac year of my birth comes around. Is there anything good that year?

Yuko

It is said that the year of the same zodiac as the year of birth is a lucky year in which the blessing of the patron deity is given.

Pat

Great, the year of the zodiac in own birth is lucky! Is there related with the terms “Toshi-otoko / 歳とし男おとこ” and “Toshi-onna / 歳とし女おんな” that we often hear during New Year?

Yuko

Men or women born in the year current under the twelve-year cycle of the Oriental zodiac are called “Toshi-otoko”for men and “Toshi-onnna” for women. A chance to get great luck once in 12 years may come!

Pat

So, are “Toshi-otoko” and “Toshi-onna” in 2024 men and women born in the year of the dragon?

Yuko

Yes! Eto of 2024 is “Kinoe (甲きのえ) – Tatsu (辰たつ = dragon)”, the year of the dragon. By the way, in the year of the dragon, the blessing of Fugen Bosatsu (Fugenu Bodhisattva) as the patron is given. For details on Bodhisattva, please check HERE on our website.

Pat

In 2024, it would be nice to visit the temple where Fugen Bosatsu  (Fugen Bodhisattva) is enshrined!

Mukai eto (opposition sign)

The sign that is seven years ahead of your sign is called “Mukai eto (opposition sign).” From the Edo period in Japan, there is a legend that good luck comes when you collect items from the opposite sign. In addition, in human relations, it is said that affinity with the opposite sign is good.

• Rat <=> Horse
• Cow<=> Sheep
• Tiger<=> Monkey
• Rabbit<=> Rooster
• Dragon<=> Dog
• Snake<=> Boar

Lucky colour & recommended items of Junishi

Born in the year of the rat

*Lucky colour of water attribute: dark blue, black, dark gray
 Black is recommended for those born in the year of the rat.
*Lucky item: Glass-based items, pictures drawn the sea and the moon, etc.
*Lucky stone: Citrine

Born in the year of the cow

*Lucky colour of earth attribute: yellow, brown, beige, green brown
 Brown is recommended for those born in the year of the cow.
*Lucky item: Porcelain, bricks, pottery etc…
*Lucky stone: Moonstone

Born in the year of the tiger

*Lucky colour of tree attribute: green, yellowish green, blue
 Blue is recommended for those born in the year of the tiger.
*Lucky item: straight shape, houseplants, tapestry, wood products, etc..
*Lucky stone: Tiger Eye

Born in the year of the rabbit

*Lucky colour of tree attribute: green, yellowish green, blue
 Green is recommended for those born in the year of the rabbit.
*Lucky item: straight shape, houseplants, tapestry, wood products, etc..
*Lucky stone: Jade

Born in the year of the dragon

*Lucky colour of earth attribute: yellow, brown, beige, green brown
 Yellow is recommended for those born in the year of the dragon.
*Lucky item: Porcelain, bricks, pottery etc..
*Lucky stone: Carnelian, Garnet

Born in the year of the snake

*Lucky colour of fire attribute: red, pink, purple
 Purple is recommended for those born in the year of the snake.
*Lucky items: triangles, candles, lights, etc..
*Lucky stone: Hematite

Born in the year of the horse

*Lucky colour of fire attribute: red, pink, purple
 Red is recommended for those born in the year of the horse.
*Lucky items: triangles, candles, lights, etc..
*Lucky stone: Agate

Born in the year of the sheep

*Lucky colour of earth attribute: yellow, brown, beige, green brown
 Yellow is recommended for those born in the year of the sheep.
*Lucky item: Porcelain, bricks, pottery etc..
*Lucky stone: Coral

Born in the year of the monkey

*Lucky colour of metallic attribute: white, silver, gold
 Beige is recommended for those born in the year of monkey.
*Lucky item: precious metals, sparkling things, machine products, etc.
*Lucky stone: Crystal

Born in the year of the rooster

*Lucky colour of metallic attribute: white, silver, gold
 White is recommended for those born in the year of rooster. }
*Lucky item: precious metals, sparkling things, machine products, etc.
*Lucky stone: Blue lace agate

Born in the year of the dog

*Lucky colour of metallic attribute: white, silver, gold
 Yellowish colour is recommended for those born in the year of dog.
*Lucky item: precious metals, sparkling things, machine products, etc.
*Lucky stone: Lapis lazuli

Born in the year of the boar

*Lucky colour of water attribute: dark blue, black, dark gray
 Gray is recommended for those born in the year of the boar.
*Lucky item: Glass-based items, pictures drawn the sea and the moon, etc..
*Lucky stone: Rose quartz

Recommended

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