Wild Boar In Japanese Culture

In the Japanese zodiac, the wild boar is represented instead of the pig 1. People born in the year of the boar, or inoshishi, are believed to be born as strong and brave individuals. Boar people, as they are commonly referred to, also display and maintain a great sense of honesty, composure, affection towards loved ones, and humble personalities 2.

In ancient Japanese cultures, wild boars were considered a religious mark. The boar has direct ties to the Japanese god of fight. Boar images have historically been depicted in art and decoration. This is because boars have regularly gone head-to-head with revered Japanese hunters. As a result, the Japanese associate the wild boar with aggression and the attacking spirit.

References

  • 1 - Poleg, Dror. "Chinese Astrology – Chinese Zodiac Symbols." Danwei, 20 Apr. 2005. <link>
  • 2 - "Japanese Zodiac Sign of the Boar." Japanese Zodiac. n.d. <link>