The 12 Animals of the Japanese Zodiac: What’s Your Sign?

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Explore the mythical origins of the Japanese zodiac & what your sign means

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: August 11, 2026 Fact Checked

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• What is the Japanese zodiac?
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• The 12 Signs
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• The 5 Elements
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• History & Origin Myth
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

The Japanese zodiac features 12 animal signs that each rule for an entire year, bestowing their personal traits upon anyone born during their reign. Below, we’ll go over each zodiac sign and the years they govern so you can identify your sign and learn what the stars say about your personality. We’ll also cover how the 5 elements (Wood, Fire, Water, Earth, and Metal) impact your sign and the fascinating origin stories (mythical and historical) of the Japanese zodiac.

Japanese Zodiac Signs Chart

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The Japanese zodiac has 12 animal signs (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar) that each rule for an entire year of a 12-year cycle. Your sign is determined by the year you were born, and your zodiac animal imparts some of its traits to you.

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Section 1 of 4:

What is the Japanese zodiac?

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1. 
   The Japanese zodiac is an ancient timekeeping and astrology device. Like in Western astrology, the Japanese zodiac is divided into 12 sections, each ruled by an animal whose traits influence the personalities of those born under them. Unlike in the West, though, each sign lasts for one whole year, creating a 12-year cycle known as Jūnishi (十二支).

   • Your Japanese zodiac sign is determined by the year you were born, with every animal sign repeating every 12 years. Look for your birth year in the 12 Japanese Signs of the Zodiac section below to find your animal!
   • Jūnishi is the Japanese term for the 12 zodiac animals as a whole. To talk about the specific animal of the year or someone’s birth-year sign, the term eto (干支) is more common.
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Section 2 of 4:

The 12 Japanese Signs of the Zodiac

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1. 
   1
   Rat (nezumi) 鼠 Those born in the Year of the Rat tend to be resourceful, shrewd, good with money, and generally ambitious (you are the first animal of the zodiac, after all). You’re also honest, charming, and determined to see a project through to its end. However, you may have a tendency to be angered easily and be seen as greedy or cunning by others.

   • Birth years: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912
   • Most compatible with: Ox, rabbit, dragon
   • Least compatible with: Horse
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   Ox (ushi) 牛 If you were born in the Year of the Ox, you’re responsible, hard-working, calm, and patient by nature. Your confidence inspires others, and family and work are your top priorities. On the downside, you may be stubborn or strong-willed sometimes, but this rarely keeps you from achieving success.

   • Birth years: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913
   • Most compatible with: Rat, monkey, rooster
   • Least compatible with: Sheep
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   3
   Tiger (tora) 虎 Those born in the Year of the Tiger are known for being passionate, courageous, and wise, and often have good leadership skills. You’re charismatic, risk-taking, and desire to seek justice for those who need your protection. All of these traits make you a force to be reckoned with—just make sure to watch your short temper and tame your impulsiveness.

   • Birth years: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914
   • Most compatible with: Boar, horse, dragon
   • Least compatible with: Monkey
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   Rabbit (usagi) 兎 As a Rabbit, you tend to be kind, talented, and gentle. You prefer to avoid conflict, and your sensitive, intelligent nature will propel you to success in your professional life. You may be a bit of a perfectionist, though, and tend to be gullible or easily tricked by others.

   • Birth years: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915
   • Most compatible with: Dog, boar, sheep
   • Least compatible with: Rooster
5. 
   5
   Dragon (tatsu) 辰 Dragons are known for their large hearts, strong health, and bravery. You have a love of adventure and are often seen as virtuous, confident, and generous by others—in fact, you have no problem rallying other people to your cause. Like the Tiger, you may have a short temper, and your tendency to change your mind easily can make you appear unpredictable.

   • Birth years: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916
   • Most compatible with: Tiger, snake, rat
   • Least compatible with: Dog
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   6
   Snake (hebi) 蛇 If you were born in the Year of the Snake, you likely have a cool, quiet, and collected exterior and a warm, dedicated interior. You’re a deep thinker and very wise, but you tend to speak very little. Your intelligent and quiet nature can sometimes work against you, since others perceive you as being indifferent or cold.

   • Birth years: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917
   • Most compatible with: Dragon, rooster
   • Least compatible with: Boar
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   7
   Horse (uma) 馬 The Horse is free-spirited, charismatic, social, adaptable, and good at finances. You thrive when you can be independent and are fond of your personal freedom. People generally like you since you’re talkative and know how to give a good compliment—but sometimes, you may end up talking too much and can get angry quickly.

   • Birth years: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918
   • Most compatible with: Sheep, tiger, dog
   • Least compatible with: Rat
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   8
   Sheep (hitsuji) 羊 Those born in the Year of the Sheep tend to be kind, persuasive, nature-lovers, and artistic. Elegant and passionate, you’re viewed by many as gentle, sweet, and a team player (even if you’re a little private). You strive to avoid conflict, but sometimes, it can come off as a lack of conviction or determination.

   • Birth years: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907
   • Most compatible with: Horse, boar, rabbit
   • Least compatible with: Ox
9. 
   9
   Monkey (saru) 申 Clever and fast-thinking, people born in the Year of the Monkey are perceived as curious, intelligent, and lively. You’re thirsty for knowledge and are a whiz at managing complicated projects, but your playful nature can make you seem mischievous or unpredictable. You may occasionally come off as vain or pushy, too.

   • Birth years: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908
   • Most compatible with: Ox, rabbit
   • Least compatible with: Tiger
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    10
    Rooster (tori) 鳥 Roosters have a reputation for being observant, hardworking, and confident. They’re often detail-oriented, punctual, and efficient, but can sometimes bite off a bit more than they can chew. You’re unafraid to express an opinion, but choose your words carefully—you can also come off a bit blunt or critical if you’re not careful.

    • Birth years: 2017, 2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909
    • Most compatible with: Snake, ox
    • Least compatible with: Rabbit
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    11
    Dog (inu) 犬 The Dog of the zodiac is loyal, honest, dependable, and protective of their loved ones. Faithful and sincere, they have a strong sense of justice, enjoy the simple things, and garner respect from most of their colleagues. Although your heart is usually in the right place, you may put others off if you become overly protective or worry too much.

    • Birth years: 2018, 2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910
    • Most compatible with: Rabbit
    • Least compatible with: Dragon
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    12
    Boar (inoshishi) 猪 The Boar is typically kind, generous, and dynamic. You’re likely a straightforward, determined person with a warm heart and the drive to achieve your goals. However, you may be too direct sometimes and come off as impulsive or stubborn. Try to be more patient to win others over.

    • Birth years: 2019, 2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911
    • Most compatible with: Sheep, rabbit, tiger
    • Least compatible with: Snake
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Section 3 of 4:

The 5 Elements of the Japanese Zodiac

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1. 
   Japanese zodiac signs also include 1 of 5 elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Each element rules for 2 consecutive years and turns the 12-year zodiac into a larger, 60-year cycle known as kanshi (干支). The element you’re born under adds more depth to your animal zodiac sign and describes your overall approach to life or temperament. Here’s a breakdown of each element’s qualities:

   • Wood 木: Growth-oriented, flexible
   • Fire 火: Bold, passionate
   • Earth 土: Stable, grounded
   • Metal 金: Determined, disciplined
   • Water 水: Adaptable, deep-thinking
   • How do you know which element you’re born under? It’s based on the last digit of your birth year. Metal years end in 0 or 1, Water years end in 2 or 3, Wood years end in 4 or 5, Fire years end in 6 or 7, and Earth years end in 8 or 9.
   • Each element is also related to a planet. Jupiter governs Wood, Mars governs Fire, Saturn governs Earth, Venus governs Metal, and Mercury governs Water.

Section 4 of 4:

History of the Japanese Zodiac

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1. 1
   The zodiac system arrived in Japan from China in the 7th century CE. The Japanese zodiac is heavily influenced by the Chinese zodiac and Han Dynasty-era (206 BCE-220 CE) astronomy. Chinese astronomers divided the orbit of Jupiter (which takes 12 years to make one orbit around the sun) into 12 sections on the zodiac wheel, each associated with an animal from Chinese folklore. It’s believed that the Chinese zodiac was used as a calendar in Japan as early as the 200s BCE, but the Japanese did not fully adopt the zodiac until the arrival of Buddhism in 552 CE.

   • The Japanese zodiac has 2 key differences from the Chinese zodiac. Mainly, the Japanese zodiac follows the Gregorian calendar with the New Year beginning on January 1 (rather than the Lunar calendar used by the Chinese).
   • Second, the Japanese zodiac uses a boar instead of a pig and a sheep instead of a goat. This is an example of how the Japanese modified their zodiac wheel over the centuries with cultural adaptations unique to the Land of the Rising Sun.
   • The zodiac peaked in popularity during the Edo Era (1615-1868 CE) and is now a popular motif art.
2. 2
   The zodiac’s mythical origin story involves a race between the 12 animals. There are several origin stories, but the most popular one says that the 12 animals of the zodiac entered a race to greet the gods (either the Buddha, the mythical Jade Emperor, or other deities, depending on which version you hear). The order the animals crossed the finish line determined their order in the zodiac wheel:

   • The Rat persuaded the Ox to let him ride on his back across a river. The Rat leapt off the Ox’s back at the finish line, causing him to come in first place.
   • The Ox came in second after assisting the Rat.
   • The Tiger came in third after battling against the currents of the river.
   • The Rabbit came in fourth after using rocks and logs to hop across the river.
   • The Dragon finished fifth after stopping to give a drought-stricken village rain (in some stories, he also helped the Rabbit across the river).
   • The Snake arrived in sixth place after wrapping himself around the leg of the Horse.
   • The Horse finished seventh after being startled by the Snake around his leg.
   • The Sheep finished eighth after working together with the Rooster and Monkey to cross the river as a team.
   • The Monkey finished ninth, right behind the Sheep.
   • The Rooster accepted tenth place after his teammates, the Sheep and Monkey.
   • The Dog came in eleventh because he got distracted and played in the river during the race.
   • The Boar finished last after taking time to eat and nap during the race. (In some versions, he actually charged too ferociously over the finish line and had to begin the race again.)
   • Why is there no cat in the zodiac? According to legend, the Rat misled the Cat about the date of the race, causing him to miss the event entirely (and that’s why cats eternally chase rats). Historically, the Chinese (and later Japanese) zodiac was established before cats were domesticated in the region.
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