25/03/2017

Zodiac Sculptures in Narita Town

The animals made of stone

Por Elena Lisina

Community writer

The Chinese zodiac is quite popular in Japan as well. The twelve animals of the zodiac calendar are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is associated with a zodiac animal in a repeating 12-year cycle. The Zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the rat. Each sign is linked to a month of the solar year and it is also linked to a season. The Chinese zodiac also labels an hour of the day. People born in a certain animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which could either help or hinder a relationship. An important use of Chinese Zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible, in a romantic relationship or any kind of relationship. In old times, people believed in Chinese Zodiac compatibility and often referred to it before a romantic relationship began. Even nowadays some people still refer to it. Visiting Narita Town, I encountered the Chinese zodiac clock, then spotted a Rat made of stone, then the Ox. Walking down the street I found and took pictures of all except for the Rooster - I have no idea where it had gone!