Zodiac Animals Year of the Rat: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Year of the Ox: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Year of the Tiger: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Year of the Rabbit: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Year of the Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Year of the Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Year of the Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Year of the Sheep: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Year of the Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Year of the Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Year of the Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 Year of the Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

The twelve figures of the zodiac were introduced into Japan from China in ancient times, but even today people enjoy a belief in these figures. The twelve animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. They represent the twelve years of a cycle, not the twelve months of the year. In traditional folklore, it is thought that venerating these figures will bring happiness and prevent misery.

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These animals are made of straw. Since ancient times the village of Shikanuma has been famous for its straw brooms, and long ago the broom makers learned to fashion amusing figures as toys. Later, they began making zodiac animals.

Play Zodiac Concentration!

Bamboo Figures Painted Wood Figures Carved Wooden Figures Symbolic Animals Paper Dolls Festivals darumas Toys and Games Straw Figures Dolls Dragons and Lions Toys

© 2003 Steve and Katie Kohl