Just as New Year celebrations finish in the West, people are gearing up to mark Lunar New Year in the East! 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon, starting from February 10, 2024, to January 28, 2025.
Although it did not originate in Japan, the Chinese zodiac, and the 12 animals that represent it, have been embraced by Japanese culture wholeheartedly.
During the time of both the New Year on January first and the Lunar Calendar New Year in Japan, you will find the year’s 'Japanese zodiac' animal on cards, decorations, and more!
(Main image: PIXTA)
Roots of the Chinese Zodiac
When talking about the Chinese Zodiac, the majority of people will immediately think of the twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These “Twelve Signs” or “Earthly Branches,” however, are only one part of the entire Zodiac.
The other part is the “Ten Heavenly Stems” or “Celestial Stem,” an ancient Chinese system of ordinal numbers. Used in combination with the Earthly Branches, namely the twelve animals, they created a cycle of sixty days.
Specifically, 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. The “wood” in this term comes from these very Celestial stems. The original purpose of this system was to determine the day, month, year, time, and even directions, similar to the English “o’clock.”
It is believed that the Celestial stem was invented around 4,000 years ago in China’s Yin Dynasty, while the Earthly Branches, the twelve animals, was established in China during the Han Dynasty. When this system was brought to Japan isn’t entirely clear but a prominent theory states that it must have been sometime before the Nara period.
From Sake Jar to Rooster?
Interestingly enough, these Earthly Branches weren’t always animals. The rat, for example, originally was depicted as a child, while the rooster was once a sake jug!
This changed in China’s Han Dynasty, when these depictions were all changed to livestock to make it easier to remember for farmers who were more familiar with animals and ultimately dependent on this calendar – although there are various theories surrounding the reason for the change from a child to a rat and so on.
Of course, the Chinese Zodiac hasn’t only spread to Japan but all over Asia and various regional differences have developed over time. In Japan, for example, the Chinese Pig is a Boar, while Tibet replaced the original Rabbit with a Cat.
In Japan, everyone immediately knows the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (or Pig).
The respective animal of the year often adorns New Year’s cards called nengajo and calendars, and a lot of families decorate their homes with references to the zodiac sign of the coming year.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Chinese Zodiac is an inherent part of Japanese day to day life and culture.
- 2023
- January 22 (Water Rabbit)
- 2024
- February 10 (Wood Dragon)
- 2025
- January 29 (Wood Snake)
- 2026
- February 17 (Fire Horse)
- 2027
- February 6 (Fire Goat)
- 2028
- January 26 (Earth Monkey)
Quick Look at the Year of the Dragon
Did you know?
People born in a Dragon year are said to have “a dragon's virtues.” Dragons symbolize power, honor, luck, and success, being a supernatural being no parallel for talent and excellence.
Also, 2024 specifically is the Year of the Wood Dragon, meaning that people born this year are notably sensitive, creative and engaging, intuitive, and influencing the environment around them.
What are the Dragon years?
If you were born in the years 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012, this is your year as well!
Celebrity Dragons include Bruce Lee, Charles Darwin, John Lennon, and Vladimir Putin.
Have a Happy “Year of the Dragon!”
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Recommended places for you
-
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)
Aomori, Hirosaki And Hachinohe
-
Menu
ISHIDAYA Hanare
Yakiniku
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
Jukuseiniku-to Namamottsuarera Nikubaru Italian Nikutaria Sannomiya
Izakaya
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
Appealing
Rukku and Uohei
Izakaya
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Goods
Yoshida Gennojo-Roho Kyoto Buddhist Altars
Gift Shops
Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace
-
Kamesushi Sohonten
Sushi
Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi
-
Enjoy Japanese Culture When Traveling to Tokyo With These Specially Curated Experiences
by: James Davies
-
2024 Japan Autumn Color Report
-
Brand New Baths! Top 4 New Bathhouses in and Around Tokyo 2024
by: Cassandra Lord
-
Explore Autumn in Hyogo Prefecture: Two-Day Road Trip to See Stunning Foliage and Top Attractions
by: Hide
-
Experience the Vibrant Autumn Blooms at Hitachi Seaside Park: Kochia and Cosmos Now in Full Color
-
What’s Tokyo’s Bathhouse Culture Like? Guide Shares Quirky Traditional Edo-Era Sento and Modern Spa Experience
-
20 Best Things to Do in Fukushima Prefecture (Sightseeing Attractions, Local Foods & Activities)
-
Brighten Up Your Winter: 13 of the Best Tokyo Illuminations (2023-2024)
by: Naho Jishikyu
-
Visiting Hokkaido in Winter: Best Things to Do in Winter, Weather & What to Pack
by: Andy Cheng
-
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival 2024: Enjoy Cool Snow Huts in Akita Prefecture This Winter
by: Ran Tanaka
-
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu): Exploring the Sacred Sanctuary of Peace in Bustling Tokyo
-
Surprisingly Warm?! 5 Things That Shocked Foreign Travelers About Winter in Northern Japan
- #best sushi japan
- #what to do in odaiba
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #best ramen japan
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #japanese nail trends
- #things to do japan
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best coffee japan
- #best japanese soft drinks
- #best yakiniku japan
- #japanese fashion culture
- #japanese convenience store snacks