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JUNI SHI - ZODIAC ANIMALS
The 12 Astrological Animals
 In Japan, around the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333), the twelve generals of Yakushi Nyorai were sometimes confused / associated with the twelve animals of the twelve-year cycle based on the twelve divisions of heaven in ancient Chinese astronomy. As a result, in Japan, it is not uncommon to see depictions of the Twelve Generals with the astrological animals in their head pieces. See M. W. de Visser's charts relating the twelve Yaksa to zodiacal signs in Ancient Buddhism in Japan, Vol. II (Leiden: 1935, pp. 551-553).
Each animal represents one year of a twelve year cycle. It also represents a day in a twelve-day cycle, and a two-hour period in each day, and a compass direction. In Japan, around the Edo Period ((1603 - 1867), the 12 animals were each associated with one of eight Buddhist protector deities. Click here for more on the Eight Buddhist Protectors.
12 Zodiac Animals
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/oracle/related2.html
The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig) are well-known symbols associated with forecasting people's futures and determining their character. By the fourth century B.C., they were well established in Chinese thought; the earliest depictions appear in ceiling paintings from a tomb dated 533. During the Tang dynasty, pottery representations of these symbols were placed in tombs, reflecting the court's fascination with divination and astrology. They were typically hybrid human/animal creatures similar to the figurines shown here, created in the nineteenth century during a revival of interest in mythology, astrology, and divination.
Poetry Contest, Zodiac Emaki, hand scroll
photo courtesy Kyoto Nat'l Museum
Chinese Listing of the Zodiac Animals
courtesy of www.uchicago.edu
photo courtesy
http://homepage1.nifty.com/sojusha/gazou/49-231(160).gif
LEARN MORE
- In Japan, around the Edo Period ((1603 - 1867), the 12 animals were each associated with one of eight Buddhist protector deities. Click here for more on the Eight Buddhist Protectors.
- http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/~qinchen/Zodiac/za_find.php3
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