Learn Japanese Culture with Cute Zodiac Coloring Pages
Discover the charm of the Japanese Zodiac, known as “Juunishi” (十二支), with these free printable coloring pages. This activity is designed not only for fun but also as a great way to introduce Japanese culture and language to kids and beginners.
What is “Juunishi”?
In Japan, each year is represented by a different animal in a 12-year cycle. This concept, adopted from ancient China, is deeply rooted in Japanese daily life. These 12 animals are called “Eto” or “Juunishi.”
Coloring these cute animals is a fantastic method to memorize their names and order. It’s widely used in Japanese kindergartens and language classrooms to teach vocabulary in an engaging way.
Educational Benefits: Learn the Animals and Kanji
While coloring, try to learn the Japanese names for these animals! Here is the list of the 12 Zodiac animals in order:
- Ne (子) – Mouse/Rat
- Ushi (丑) – Cow/Ox
- Tora (寅) – Tiger
- U (卯) – Rabbit
- Tatsu (辰) – Dragon
- Mi (巳) – Snake
- Uma (午) – Horse
- Hitsuji (未) – Sheep
- Saru (申) – Monkey
- Tori (酉) – Rooster/Chicken
- Inu (戌) – Dog
- I (亥) – Boar
This coloring sheet features all these animals in a “Kawaii” (cute) style, making it approachable for everyone. It serves as excellent practice for those studying Hiragana or Kanji, or for anyone wanting to create unique New Year’s cards (Nengajo).
Download your free sheet below and start your journey into Japanese traditions today!
