Chiisana Inori : Information

The story of the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac (otherwise known as the Juunishi) is very important in Fruits Basket. In fact, it is the key to the plot.

The Juunishi were created in ancient China as a sort of Chinese zodiac. The Jikkan and the Juunishi, the ten signs and the twelve signs, were expressed independently or in combination to express dates, years, months, times and directions. Then the Buddhist form of the cosmic dual forces and the forces of good and bad were added (the Yin-Yang, anyone?), so it became a thing used for fortune telling. Currently, only the Juunishi is used. The folktale of the Juunishi goes like this:

In the folktale of the Chinese zodiac, God told all the animals, "I invite all of you to a party tomorrow. And on no account be late." When the mischievous mouse heard these words, he told a lie to his neighbor the cat, telling him that the party was to take place the day after tomorrow. The next day, the mouse rode on the ox's back and arrived at the meeting place. After him the ox, the tiger, and so forth, all arrived and had a fun time until morning.

All except for the cat that was fooled.

As the cat missed the party, it was not included in the Juuniichi, the twelve signs. And yet it still tried to be friends with the other animals, even though the mouse had tricked him.

Below is info on all twelve signs and their corresponding characters. You can learn about your own sign by finding the one that aligns with the year you were born.

Rat	Ox	Tiger	Rabbit	Dragon	Snake
Horse	Sheep	Monkey	Rooster	Dog	Boar

- - - - - - - - - -> The Rat

Ranking order	:	First
Hours ruled	:	11pm - 1am
Direction	:	Directly North
Season; month	:	Winter; December
Western sign	:	Sagittarius
Fixed Element	:	Water
Stem	:	Positive

Years : 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Greatest Affinity : Dragon, Monkey
Greatest Enmity : Horse
Fruits Basket character : Souma Yuki

People in the year of the rat are charming, humorous, honest and meticulous. They can give good advice, but often can't decide for themselves. They can be power-hungry, petty or greedy, but also bright, sociable and highly ambitious. They're opportunists when it comes to reaching their target, and passionate to those that are close to them. The rat likes to gamble and spend lavishly.

People of the rat are easy to get along with. They're hard working and thrifty; only generous to those that they're fond of. If you receive an expensive gift from them, you should consider yourself high in their esteem. People of the rat appeal to most everybody with their charm, and are never found wanting of admirers.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Ox

Ranking order	:	Second
Hours ruled	:	1am - 3am
Direction	:	North-Northeast
Season; month	:	Winter; January
Western sign	:	Capricorn
Fixed Element	:	Water
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Greatest Affinity : Rooster, Snake
Greatest Enmity : Sheep
Fruits Basket character : Souma Hatsuharu

People born in the year of the Ox are intelligent and self-confident, patient, methodical, helpful and hardworking. They might appear rigid and slow, but an active mind works beneath. The Ox believes in authority but is often too stubborn and traditional. The Ox or Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. A person born in the year of the Ox is dependable; a patient and tireless worker. They stick to routine and conventions and are generally fair-minded and a good listener, though it's difficult to make them change their views.

With their steady and trustworthy character, people of the Ox often are found entrusted with positions of authority and responsibility. They won't fall short where duty calls, but should be careful not to get carried away.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Tiger

Ranking order	:	Third
Hours ruled	:	3am - 5am
Direction	:	East-Northeast
Season; month	:	Winter; February
Western sign	:	Aquarius
Fixed Element	:	Wood
Stem	:	Positive

Year : 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Greatest Affinity : Dog, Horse
Greatest Enmity : Monkey
Fruits Basket character : Souma Kisa

People born in the year of the Tiger are courageous, active, self-assured, natural leaders, passionate and independent. They're often restless, especially if they were born at night. Often times they're rebellious and dynamic; a warrior and the center of attention. They're quick-tempered but considerate, affectionate but careless.

In the East, the Tiger symbolizes power, passion and daring. They're rebellious, colorful and unpredictable people who command awe and respect from others. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts.

Tiger people are fortunate to have around, provided you are prepared for all the activity that comes along with their personality. Their impulsiveness and vivacity are contagious, and their vigor and love of life stimulating. They'll arouse every emotion in people other than indifference. The Tiger loves to be the center of attention.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Rabbit

Ranking order	:	Fourth
Hours ruled	:	5am - 7am
Direction	:	Directly East
Season; month	:	Spring; March
Western sign	:	Pisces
Fixed Element	:	Wood
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Greatest Affinity : Sheep, Boar
Greatest Enmity : Rooster
Fruits Basket character : Souma Momiji

People of the year of the Rabbit are peace loving, have impeccable manners in the pursuit of a good life, are intelligent in business (possessing a creative mind), but are sometimes moody and indifferent. People born in the year of the Rabbit possess one of the most fortunate of the twelve animal signs: they are the emblem of longevity and are said to derive their essence from the Moon.

The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness, and sensitivity to beauty. Their soft speech and graceful, nimble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or politician. People born under the Rabbit will lead a tranquil life, enjoying a peaceful, quiet and congenital environment. They are reserved, artistic, and possess good judgment. Their thoroughness make them good scholars, shining in the fields of law, politics, and government.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Dragon

Ranking order	:	Fifth
Hours ruled	:	7am - 9am
Direction	:	East-Southeast
Season; month	:	Spring; April
Western sign	:	Aries
Fixed Element	:	Wood
Stem	:	Positive

Year : 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Greatest Affinity : Rat, Monkey
Greatest Enmity : Dog
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Hatori

People born in the year of the Dragon are magical, shrewd, intuitive, artistic, and very lucky. Alternately, they can be stubborn, irritable, impulsive, worldly, and hard to get close to. They're full of vitality, self-assured, bright, and masters of success, at the same time somewhat proud and quick-tempered.

Dragons are magnanimous and full of vitality and strength. To them, life is a blaze of colors and they're constantly on the go. Egotistical, eccentric, dogmatic, whimsical, or terribly demanding and unreasonable, they're still never without a group of admirers. Proud, aristocratic, and very direct, Dragon-born people establish their ideals early in life and demand the same high standards and perfection from others that they have for themselves. Dragon-born people are difficult to contest, at times even impossible. They tend to intimidate those who dare challenge them.

In spite of their volcano of emotions, Dragon people can't be said to be sentimental, sensitive, or very romantic. They take love and adulation for granted. But while they may be stubborn, irrational and overbearing when irked, Dragons can forgive you the moment they get over their outbursts. And since things are supposed to work both ways, they expect your forgiveness for their errors in return.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Snake

Ranking order	:	Sixth
Hours ruled	:	9am - 11am
Direction	:	South-Southeast
Season; month	:	Spring; May
Western sign	:	Taurus
Fixed Element	:	Fire
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Greatest Affinity : Ox, Rooster
Greatest Enmity : Boar
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Ayame

Snake people are philosophical, wise, calm, understanding, but often fickle or self-indulgent. They're elegant to the point of being ostentatious, and can behave selfishly if crossed. Snake ladies are charming and elegant in dress. They are receptive, deep thinkers, and like to judge by intuition. They're fortunate in wealth.

Snake-born people are philosophers, theologians, and political wizards. Snake people are the deepest thinkers of the Chinese cycle. They're endowed with an inborn wisdom of their very own; they're mystics in their own rights. Graceful and soft-spoken, they love good books, food, music, and the theater. They will gravitate towards all the finer things in life. The most beautiful women and powerful men tend to be born under this sign. If you're a Snake, you're in good company.

People of this sign generally rely on their own judgment and don't communicate well with others. They can be deeply religious or psychic, or on the other hand, totally hedonistic. Either way, they trust their own vibrations rather than outside advice.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Horse

Ranking order	:	Seventh
Hours ruled	:	11am - 1pm
Direction	:	Directly South
Season; month	:	Summer; June
Western sign	:	Gemini
Fixed Element	:	Fire
Stem	:	Positive

Year : 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Greatest Affinity : Tiger, Dog
Greatest Enmity : Rat
Fruits Basket character : Souma Rin

People born in the year of the Horse are cheerful, quick-witted, and popular, with a happy outlook. They're very independent, subjective, often self-centered, and good at handling wealth. Horse-born people have raw sex appeal rather than straight good looks. Earthy and warmly appealing, they are very perceptive and talkative. Their changeable nature may lead them to be hot-tempered, rash and headstrong at times. The unpredictable Horse will fall in and out of love easily.

In most cases the Horse will leave home early. If not, they'll start working or to take up some career at an early age. Adventurers at heart, they're noted by their keen minds and ability to manage money. Self-reliant, vivacious, energetic, impetuous and even brash, the Horse is a showy dresser, partial to bright colors and striking designs to the point of being gaudy on occasion.

Horse-born people love exercise; both physical and mental. They can be spotted easily by their rapid but graceful body movements, their animated reflexes and fast way of speaking. They respond quickly and can make snap decisions. Their mind works at remarkable speeds and whatever they may lack in stability and perseverance, they will certainly make up for by being open-minded and flexible. When it comes down to it, Horse-born people are nonconformists.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Sheep

Ranking order	:	Eighth
Hours ruled	:	1pm - 3pm
Direction	:	South-Southwest
Season; month	:	Summer; July
Western sign	:	Cancer
Fixed Element	:	Fire
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Greatest Affinity : Rabbit, Boar
Greatest Enmity : Ox
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Hiro

People born in the year of the Sheep are intelligent, with a mind for business. They have artistic inclinations and tend to be pessimistic at times. They're good natured and generous, but can be undisciplined and irresponsible with somewhat antisocial tendencies. Sheep people can also be indecisive and too passive. However, they're known to have fantastic luck throughout their lives.

Sheep is the most feminine sign of the Chinese zodiac. A person of the Sheep year is called the Good Samaritan of the cycle. They're righteous, sincere, and easily taken in by sob stories. They're likely to be mild-mannered, even shy. At their best, they're artistic, fashionable, and a creative worker. At their worst, they tend to be easily overcome by their emotions, becoming pessimistic and withdrawn.

Sheep-born people are known for their gentle and compassionate ways. They can forgive easily and be understanding about others' faults. They dislike strict schedules and can't take too much discipline or criticism. Fond of children and animals, they are close to nature and are apt to mother or even smother the objects of their affection. They are possessed by varying moods and find it impossible to work under pressure. They also find it hard to be objective.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Monkey

Ranking order	:	Ninth
Hours ruled	:	3pm - 5pm
Direction	:	West-Southwest
Season; month	:	Summer; August
Western sign	:	Leo
Fixed Element	:	Metal
Stem	:	Positive

Year : 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Greatest Affinity : Dragon, Rat
Greatest Enmity : Tiger
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Ritsu

People born in the year of the Monkey are lively, witty, inventive and intelligent; fast learners with good memory. They're good at problem-solving, but can be too clever and become lazy, opportunistic and manipulative. They know social skills well but can be selfish and egoistic, also unbeatable in terms of talent and wealth. Of all the animals in the lunar cycle, the Monkey bears the closest resemblance to man. It is therefore no wonder that it should be the one to inherit most of mankind's intelligence as well as its capacity for deceit.

The Monkey is the sign of the inventor, the improviser, and the motivator. Monkey-born people are charlatans capable of drawing everyone to them with their intimate guile and charm. Being the quick-witted geniuses of the cycle, they're clever, flexible, and innovative. Monkey-born people can solve intricate problems with ease and are fast learners. They can master anything under the sign and usually have the aptitude for being a good linguist. A person born under the Monkey sign will be successful at whatever he chooses to do. No challenge will be too great.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Rooster

Ranking order	:	Tenth
Hours ruled	:	5pm - 7pm
Direction	:	Directly West
Season; month	:	Autumn; September
Western sign	:	Virgo
Fixed Element	:	Metal
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Greatest Affinity : Ox, Snake
Greatest Enmity : Rabbit
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Kureno

Rooster people are dramatic but reputable, and work systematically. They're hardworking, resourceful, talented, confident, vivacious and socially popular, but may have the tendency to brag insensitively. They're outspoken and love to attract attention, and always take good care of their family and handle money well.

The Rooster is the Don Quixote of the Chinese cycle; the dauntless hero who must look to the earth to survive, it is the most misunderstood and eccentric of all the signs. Outwardly, Rooster-born people are the epitome of self-assurance and aggression, but at heart they can be conservative and old-fashioned. Rooster-born men especially will be attractive, even dashingly handsome. You'll never find anybody of the Rooster sign slouching; they strut with dignity. Even the shyest members of the Rooster-born will be neat and maintain a special bearing.

There are two types of Rooster-born people: the extremely talkative ones and the deadly solemn observer types, with seemingly X-ray vision. Both are equally hard to deal with. Rooster-born people have many outstanding qualities; they're sharp, neat, precise, organized, decisive, upright, alert, and most direct. They can be critical to the point of brutality. They love to argue and debate, showing how knowledgeable and smart they are, sometimes with little regard to the feelings of others. However, when their feathers are ruffled in return, they are insufferable.

Rooster-born people aren't cut out to be diplomats. Situations regarding tact, delicacy and discretion cramp their style. Their way is to go about, trying to convert everyone to their way of thinking with a missionary zeal. They shine when they're the center of attention. They're tremendously imposing with personality and could pursue any career that exposes them to the public eye.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Dog

Ranking order	:	Eleventh
Hours ruled	:	7pm - 9pm
Direction	:	West-Northwest
Season; month	:	Autumn; October
Western sign	:	Libra
Fixed Element	:	Metal
Stem	:	Positive

Year : 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Greatest Affinity : Tiger , Horse
Greatest Enmity : Dragon
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Shigure

People born under the sign of the Dog are honest, faithful, and posses deep loyalty and responsibility. They can be magnanimous and prosperous, yet guarded and defensive, never relaxed despite their outer calm. They have a glib tongue and are practical and realistic. They're trustworthy, generous, with a deep sense of justice.

The Dog could just as well be the most likeable sign of all the Chinese cycle. People born in the year of the Dog are honest, intelligent and straightforward. They have a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice and fair play. A Dog native is usually animated, attractive, and will exude sex appeal. Generally amiable and unpretentious, they know how to get along with others as they're not too demanding. Egalitarian Dog-born people like to meet others halfway and are always willing to listen to reason and can be counted on to do their share.

No matter how much Dog-born people complain, scold or feign indifference, they can't ignore a real call for help. At times, Dog people protect the interests of others more avidly than their own. They often stick loyal to their object of affection, no matter how unworthy that person may be. They make allowances for such frailties and will probably stick it out through thick or thin.

- - - - - - - - - -> The Boar

Ranking order	:	Twelfth
Hours ruled	:	9pm - 11pm
Direction	:	North-Northwest
Season; month	:	Autumn; November
Western sign	:	Scorpio
Fixed Element	:	Water
Stem	:	Negative

Year : 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Greatest Affinity : Rabbit, Sheep
Greatest Enmity : Snake
Fruits Basket Character : Souma Kagura

People born in the year of the Boar are diligent, courageous, and hate quarrels. They're sensitive, indulgent, and cultured with a streak of earthliness. They can be self-indulgent to the point of gluttony, and can also be insecure. Pig-born people are the perfect friends, although not deep thinkers. They're rather materialistic, and though they're not good at handling money, fortune is always around them.

- - - - - - - - - -> Back to Info