Chinese zodiac · culture
Japanese zodiac and eto
Eto names the stem–branch cycle in Japan and is often used for its twelve animal years. Japanese animal lists end in Boar, and modern New Year celebrations follow the Gregorian calendar.
Japanese eto names in order
The kana below are zodiac branch readings: 子 is ne and 卯 is u, even though the ordinary animal words are nezumi and usagi. The twelfth animal is Boar (inoshishi).
| Order | Native name | Branch reading | Animal label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 子・鼠 | ね · ne | Rat |
| 2 | 丑・牛 | うし · ushi | Ox |
| 3 | 寅・虎 | とら · tora | Tiger |
| 4 | 卯・兎 | う · u | Rabbit |
| 5 | 辰・竜 | たつ · tatsu | Dragon |
| 6 | 巳・蛇 | み · mi | Snake |
| 7 | 午・馬 | うま · uma | Horse |
| 8 | 未・羊 | ひつじ · hitsuji | Sheep |
| 9 | 申・猿 | さる · saru | Monkey |
| 10 | 酉・鶏 | とり · tori | Rooster |
| 11 | 戌・犬 | いぬ · inu | Dog |
| 12 | 亥・猪 | い · i | Boar |
New Year on the modern calendar
Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar on 1 January 1873. Modern New Year cards and annual animal motifs consequently follow the civil New Year rather than a Chinese New Year celebration.
Animals and the complete cycle
The twelve animals follow Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. The complete eto combines ten stems with twelve branches to make sixty names.
An animal motif on a New Year card gives the twelve-year position. A complete stem–branch name also gives its position in the sixty-year cycle.