It is based primarily on the Chinese astronomical chart, cosmology as well as divination. This system was widely accepted by the Japanese when Buddhism spread during the middle of 6th Century A.D.The Japanese zodiac wheel is known as Eto or Kanshi. The 12 zodiac symbols associated with an animal each is known as Juuni Shi. This system was hugely popular between 1600 and 1868 AD, which was referred to as the Edo era.

The 12 animals which form a part of the zodiac wheel are dragon, rooster, rabbit, snake, ox, sheep, boar, monkey, rat, tiger, horse and dog. The Japanese believe that each of the birth years is associated with an animal, and people born under a particular zodiac are attributed certain personality characteristics. This system is used widely to predict fortune and compatibility between two people.

For example, people born in the year 2008 belong to the rat symbol. Such individuals are believed to be ambitious, honest and hardworking. If you are born in 2009, you belong to the year of Ox sign which is associated with personalities who are patient, shrewd and skillful in speaking. To take another instance, 1998, the year of tiger are associated with people who are sensitive, short tempered and daring.

The Japanese used zodiac signs to predict a person's age! People in Japan are more likely to ask you what your zodiac sign is and guess your age rather than asking how old you are!

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