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Year of the tiger 2022 – Japanese Zodiac

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Every year in Japan, around the end of the year and sometimes from November in some stores, they start selling figures of many sizes and designs of the zodiac animal for the new year. For many it is one of the purchases to have to make before the new year begins since it is like a lucky charm during the year. Many houses decorate it as a seasonal decoration, although in reality it is an element that has the function of welcoming the god and the luck of the new year to the house.

thumbnail year tiger
Figures like this one decorate houses in Japan to have good fortune in the New Year.

It is believed that the characteristics, peculiarities and personality of the zodiac animal that touches in the new year will be equally reflected in how it will develop throughout that year. The year 2022 is the year of the Tiger (this is the corresponding kanji 寅) according to the 12-year cycle of the Japanese zodiac animals , known in Japanese as eto . The tiger is the guardian deity of the family, an animal with strong vitality and a symbol of protection against misfortune.

As animals, tigers are independent , fearless , loyal , and have high self-esteem . They are strong in the face of adversity and never back down from a challenge, they are persistent and determined.
His free nature and strong sense of justice is his greatest strength and weakness. Because this year is a water tiger , good fortune in relationships and family life is expected and people born under the sign of the Tiger can expect to succeed in their career with hard work and determination.

In Japan, it is also considered a good omen to send “negajo” (年賀状) or New Year’s cards and purchase talismans or amulets with illustrations of the zodiac animal for the year in the Hatsumode or first visit to the temple or shrine.

tiger nengajo
The nengajō or New Year’s postcard, with the animal’s zodiac sign for 2022.

There is also the superstition of having a “lucky direction” In general, for this year it will be the “west” direction and specifically the direction of labor luck is “northwest” so it is recommended to put the figure of the animal of the zodiac of the current year in the most central part of your house and pointing in that direction if you want to have luck in general or with more strength at work.