Chinese zodiac · culture
Thai zodiac and the twelve-animal cycle
Thai zodiac traditions adapt the twelve-animal cycle to local culture. The Dragon position can be represented by a Buddhist nāga, and Phrommachāt manuscripts combine animal images with other divination symbols.
Thai zodiac year names in order
The first column gives the named zodiac year, not the ordinary word for its animal. Thai lists can describe the fifth and sixth positions as large snake and small snake; the fifth is also represented as a nāga or Dragon in other traditions.
| Order | Native name | Animal word | Animal label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ชวด | หนู | Rat |
| 2 | ฉลู | วัว | Ox |
| 3 | ขาล | เสือ | Tiger |
| 4 | เถาะ | กระต่าย | Rabbit |
| 5 | มะโรง | งูใหญ่ | Large snake / nāga |
| 6 | มะเส็ง | งูเล็ก | Small snake |
| 7 | มะเมีย | ม้า | Horse |
| 8 | มะแม | แพะ | Goat |
| 9 | วอก | ลิง | Monkey |
| 10 | ระกา | ไก่ | Rooster |
| 11 | จอ | หมา | Dog |
| 12 | กุน | หมู | Pig |
An animal cycle in illustrated books
The British Library’s Thai collections include folding-book Phrommachāt manuscripts. An 1885 example depicts the Rooster with associated diagrams and symbolic figures.
New Year conventions
Thailand has used several calendars. Songkran on 13 April, the Chinese New Year and the start of a traditional Thai lunar cycle are different occasions. Choose the intended tradition when interpreting a year label.
Animal motifs and pilgrimage
In northern Thai customs, animal banners can decorate sand pagodas. Zodiac animals are also linked to temples visited to make merit in connection with a birth year.