Japanese Zodiac Signs: Find Your Eto Animal, Personality, and Best Matches

The Japanese Zodiac, also known as Eto (干支) or Jūnishi (十二支), is a very interesting system of 12 animal signs that comes back every year.     The Japanese Zodiac signs are based on the Chinese Zodiac, but throughout time, it has grown to include its own symbols, charms, and cultural rituals.
    Some animals go with each year, such as the Rat, the Tiger, and the Dragon.    People believe that these signs can influence a person's personality, fate, and how they get along with other people.

 The Japanese Zodiac Signs and What They Stand For

This is the full list of the 12 zodiac animals, along with their Japanese names, kanji, and what they mean:

No.	Japanese Name	Animal	Kanji	Personality Traits
1	Ne (子)	Rat	鼠	Clever, adaptable, and ambitious. Quick thinkers who always find solutions.
2	Ushi (丑)	Ox	牛	Patient, strong, and hardworking. Reliable and focused on long-term goals.
3	Tora (寅)	Tiger	虎	Brave, confident, and passionate. Born leaders who love challenges.
4	U (卯)	Rabbit	兎	Kind, artistic, and gentle. Brings peace and elegance to every situation.
5	Tatsu (辰)	Dragon	龍	Powerful, charismatic, and lucky. Natural visionaries and motivators.
6	Mi (巳)	Snake	蛇	Wise, calm, and mysterious. Thinkers who value privacy and insight.
7	Uma (午)	Horse	馬	Energetic, social, and free-spirited. Adventurous and full of life.
8	Hitsuji (未)	Sheep (Goat)	羊	Creative, gentle, and compassionate. Loves harmony and beauty.
9	Saru (申)	Monkey	猿	Intelligent, playful, and inventive. Great problem-solvers and communicators.
10	Tori (酉)	Rooster	鶏	Honest, punctual, and ambitious. Proud and dependable in all areas.
11	Inu (戌)	Dog	犬	Loyal, sincere, and protective. Faithful in relationships and friendships.
12	Inoshishi (亥)	Boar	猪	Brave, determined, and honest. Straightforward and fearless in life.

How the Japanese Zodiac Works

There are 12 signs in the Zodiac, and each year is ruled by a different animal.  

 For example:

• 2020: Rat (Ne)

• 2021: Ox (Ushi)

• 2022: Tiger (Tora)

• 2023: Rabbit (U)

• 2024: Dragon (Tatsu)

• 2025: Snake (Mi)

After 12 years, the cycle starts over.

The five elements, or Gogyō 五行, also affect each sign:

🌳 Wood, 🔥 Fire, 🌍 Earth, ⚙️ Metal, and 💧 Water.    These things change different areas of a person's luck and personality. 

Japanese Zodiac Compatibility Chart

Some signs in Japanese astrology get along well, but others may not, since their traits are contrary.     This is a simple chart that displays how well people get along in business, love, and friendship.

Your Sign	Best Matches	Good Friends 🤝	Conflicts ⚡
Rat (Ne)	Dragon, Monkey	Ox, Rabbit	Horse, Goat
Ox (Ushi)	Snake, Rooster	Rat, Rooster	Sheep, Horse
Tiger (Tora)	Horse, Dog	Pig, Dragon	Monkey, Snake
Rabbit (U)	Sheep, Pig	Dog, Monkey	Rooster, Rat
Dragon (Tatsu)	Rat, Monkey	Rooster, Tiger	Dog, Rabbit
Snake (Mi)	Ox, Rooster	Monkey, Dragon	Pig, Tiger
Horse (Uma)	Tiger, Dog	Goat, Rabbit	Rat, Ox
Goat (Hitsuji)	Rabbit, Pig	Horse, Snake	Ox, Dog
Monkey (Saru)	Rat, Dragon	Snake, Dog	Tiger, Pig
Rooster (Tori)	Ox, Snake	Dragon, Monkey	Rabbit, Dog
Dog (Inu)	Tiger, Horse	Rabbit, Monkey	Dragon, Rooster
Boar (Inoshishi)	Rabbit, Goat	Tiger, Dog	Snake, Monkey

Fire and Wood are two signs that work well together, thus they are the best signs to be in love with. When people are honest and know each other well, friendships work. Business compatibility works when both sides have the same aims and can trust each other.

Cultural Significance in Japan

Zodiac animals are important in many Japanese ceremonies:

    • The animal of the year is on New Year's cards (年賀状 nengajō).

    • A lot of shrines and temples sell zodiac charms that are claimed to bring good luck.

    People usually say their sign with pride

私は辰年です” (Watashi wa Tatsu-doshi desu)

“I was born in the Year of the Dragon.”

    The Five Elements and Your Personality (Gogyō 五行)

    An element also affects each person's Zodiac, which gives them a more specific personality type: 

Element	Symbol	Personality Traits
Wood (木)	🌳	Growth, kindness, creativity
Fire (火)	🔥	Passion, energy, leadership
Earth (土)	🌍	Stability, responsibility, patience
Metal (金)	⚙️	Determination, discipline, strength
Water (水)	💧	Intuition, flexibility, empathy

Interesting Things About the Japanese Zodiac

    • The Boar (Inoshishi) is a new sign that takes the place of the Pig in the Chinese Zodiac.

    • Every 12 years, your zodiac "returns" and you have a Yakudoshi year. 

 A lot of people think this is a really important spiritual event.   During their zodiac year, many Japanese individuals get charms (お守り omamori) to keep them safe and bring them good luck.

Final Thoughts  

 

The Japanese Zodiac (Eto) is a beautiful mix of symbolism, mythology, and culture. The energy of each sign has an effect on how you act and how you get along with other people. You could be a fierce Dragon, a faithful Dog, or a pretty Rabbit, for example.

These signs not only inform you what you can do, but they also connect you to hundreds of years of Japanese history and knowledge.

FAQs About the Japanese Zodiac (Eto)

1. How can I find out what my Japanese zodiac sign is?

To find out what your zodiac sign is, look at the chart above and pick the animal that goes with the year you were born.     If you were born in 1996, you are a Rat (Ne).

2. Are the Chinese and Japanese Zodiac signs the same?

Japan changed several things about the culture, including using the Boar (猪) instead of the Pig, and sometimes having different ideas about what makes a good person.

3. Do Japanese people still believe in zodiac signs?

A lot of individuals use the Zodiac for pleasure, to greet people on New Year's, or to learn more about themselves.    But it's more of a cultural thing than a technique to see into the future.

4. Which sign of the Japanese Zodiac is the most lucky?

Most people consider that the Dragon (Tatsu) is the sign of strength and good luck.   It represents health and success.

5. Do zodiac signs have an effect on how well people get along with each other?

Japanese astrology suggests that your zodiac sign can affect how well you get along with people in love, friendship, and business.   But personality and understanding are the most crucial factors.