Zodiac in Japanese
"zodiac" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
3 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "zodiac". The most common choice is shown first.
Which one to use
十二支 (jūnishi) is the twelve-branch zodiac — rat, ox, tiger and so on — and it is what Japanese means by the zodiac. 干支 (eto) pairs those twelve with ten stems for a sixty-year cycle. 卯 is one of the twelve, the rabbit.
Top pick
branch, support, sustain, branch radical (no. 65)
Reading: shi
4 strokes
Where it comes from
Shape of hand holding branch. Supporting.
What it carries
Support, payment, assistance. Represents supporting.
Related kanji for "zodiac"
zodiac
kan
Shape of dried shield. Drying.
zodiac
bou · nature, spiritual
Shape of opening gate. Fourth zodiac sign.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for zodiac?
The most common kanji for "zodiac" is 支, read as shi. It means branch, support, sustain. Related kanji: 干 (zodiac), 卯 (zodiac).
How many strokes does 支 have?
支 has 4 strokes.