In Japan, the Year of the Tiger begins with the first day of 2022 and ends with the last day of the year. So, why are we talking about it now? In ancient times (and still today in China) the beginning of the new year was slightly different because linked to lunar cycles: we’ll talk about it in a few paragraphs.
HOW TO SAY TIGER IN JAPANESE?
We can use two expressions. Both are popular:
Tora (虎 • とら) – traditional Japanese
Taigaa (タイガー) – Jangrish
JAPANESE ZODIAC SIGNS
The Japanese astrological system follows the Chinese one: there are 12 signs that change yearly. The whole cycle that lasts 12 years is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
WAS I BORN IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER?
Yes, if your year is 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 or 2022.
In particular, you’re a Water Tiger if born in 1962…or you’re planning to come into this world during the next months!
NOT ALL THE YEARS OF THE TIGER ARE THE SAME: 5 ELEMENTS
Especially from the Chinese point of view not all the years or a certain animal are the same. For example, the 1950-Tiger will differ from the 1962-Tiger. Why? Chineses take into consideration something more which changes every year: the famous 5 elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood). 5 elements give a different spiritual peculiarity every time.
Example:
2022 is the year of the suitora (水虎) or Water Tiger.
1986 was the year of the hi no tora (火の虎) or Fire Tiger.
WHAT DOES BEING A TIGER REPRESENTS?
The Tiger is linked to bravery, honesty competitiveness, exorcising evil and unpredictability. It represents values such as family, friendship, care and support. On the other hand, it can tend to be selfish and impulsive. These general characteristics are influenced every time by one of the 5 elements.
DIFFERENCES WITH CHINA
As told before, the beginning of the new year was slightly different and linked to lunar cycles. Because of this, the first day of the Chinese year changes every time: in 2022 it will be on 1st February.
But is not that simple! The “real” first day of the Year of the Tiger begins on 4th February 2022. So, according to this, if you’re born on 3rd February 2022 your sign is not the Tiger but the previous one: the Ox. Why this difference? Because the Chinese Zodiac is not linked to the lunar calendar but to a special and traditional Stem-Branch solar calendar.
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER YOUR CHINESE ZODIAC SIGN
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JAPANESE PROVERBS AND COMPOUNDS WORDS ABOUT TIGERS
- Kokou (虎口) – is literally “the mouth of the tiger” but is used to intend: tiger’s den, jaws of death, dangerous places.
- Tora neko (虎猫) – it’s not a tiger-cat but is the name of the race commonly known as “tabby”.
- Tora hige (虎髭) – is literally “tiger beard” but is referred to a “bristly beard”.
- [PROVERB] Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu (虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず • こけつにいらずんばこじをえず) can be translated as: ”not entering into a tiger’s den brings no capture of its cub”. What does it mean? Nothing ventured, nothing gained: to achieve a big prize one must take big risks.
Are you interested in going in-depth into this kind of subject? For example, exploring more about the influence of the Elements or learning something about the other signs? Let me know!