The Year of the Boar ( inoshishi )  Japan uses an ancient form of the Chinese zodiac called Eto. 2007 is the year of the Boar( inoshishi or i ) . The animals are as follows: Rat (ne), Ox (ushi ), Tiger ( tora ), Rabbit ( u ), Dragon ( tatsu), Snake ( mi ), Horse (uma), Sheep ( hitsuji ), Monkey ( saru ), Rooster ( tori ), Dog ( inu ) and Boar ( i ). Each year is named by adding doshi ( year ) after the names above, for example this year is inu-doshi( dog's year ). It is said to have adopted in Japan in 604 during the reign of Empress Suiko. According to Chinese legends, before Buddha departed from earth, only 12 animals came in their devotion to him. Buddha honored them by naming the years after them in the order arrived. It seems snakes were faster than dogs back then! As you know, Japanese people are very interested in other's ages. Every Japanese person knows what year of the zodiac they were born in. Japanese are likely to ask what your zodiac sign is, instead of asking how old you are. So watch out when they ask your zodiac! They are guessing your age~~~ Next year is the year of boar ( inoshishi ). People born in 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911 are boar ( inoshishi ). They are brave. They have tremendous inner strength which no one can overcome. They display great honesty. They are short-tempered, yet hate to quarrel or have arguments. They are affectionate and kind to their loved ones!  What is your animal? Have a look at this list. Rat: People born in the year of the Rat are charming, honest, ambitious, and have a tremendous capacity for pursing a course to its end. They will work hard for their goals. They are easily angered but maintain an outward show of control. Ox : People born in the year of the Ox are patient, mentally alert and when required to speak are skillful. They have a gift for inspiring confidence in others. This allows them to achieve a great deal of success. Tiger : People born in the year of the Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, short-tempered, courageous, selfish and slightly mean - yet they are deep thinkers and are capable of great sympathy for those they are close to and love. Rabbit: People born in the year of the Rabbit are the most fortunate. They are smooth talkers, talented, ambitious, virtuous and reserved. They have exceedingly fine taste and regarded with admiration and trust. Dragon : People born in the year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered and stubborn. However, they are honest, sensitive, brave and can inspire trust in most anyone. They are the most peculiar of the 12 signs of the Zodiac cycle. Snake : People born in the year of the Snake are deep thinkers, speak very little and possess tremendous wisdom. They are fortunate in money matters and will always be able to obtain it. They are determined in what they do and hate to fail. Horse : People born in the year of the Horse are skillful in paying compliments and talk too much. They are skillful with money and handle finances well. They are quick thinkers, wise and talented. Horse people anger easily and are very impatient. Sheep : People born in the year of the Sheep are elegant, highly accomplished in the arts, passionate about nature. At first glance, they seem to be better off than the people born in other years. They are deeply religious and passionate in whatever they do and believe in. Moneky : People born in the year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the Zodiac cycle. They are clever and skillful in grand-scale operations and are smart when making financial deals. They are inventive, original and are able to solve the most difficult problems with ease. Rooster : People born in the year of the Rooster are deep thinkers and are always busy and devoted to their work. They always want to do more than they are able, and if they undertake a task beyond their abilities, they are disappointed. Rooster people have a habit of speaking out directly whenever they have something on their minds. Dog : People born in the year of the Dog have all the fine qualities of human nature. They have a sense of duty and loyalty, they are extremely honest and always do their best in their relationship with other people. Dog people inspire confidence in others and know how to keep secrets. What do you think about the research? Does that suit your personality? I am curious if it suits westerers... | 
