There are 12 animals are known as 十二支(zyu u ni shi).

  1. ねずみ “nezumi” (mouse)
  2. うし “u shi” (cow)
  3. とら “to ra” (tiger)
  4. うさぎ “u sa gi” (rabbit)
  5. たつ “ta tasu” (dragon)
  6. へび “he bi” (snake)
  7. うま “u ma” (horse)
  8. ひつじ “hi tau ji” (sheep)
  9. さる “sa ru” (monkey)
  10. とり “to ri” (bird)
  11. いぬ “i nu” (dog)
  12. いのしし “i no shi shi” (hog)