The Japanese have used the Chinese zodiac system since the early seventh century.
The 12 zodiac animal signs are, in order, the rat, ox (or cow), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig (or boar). It is said that people take on the characteristics of the animal sign of one's birth. For example, people born in the year of the Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, and short-tempered.













