How the Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean Zodiacs Differ
The 12-animal cycle spread from China across the region, and each country adapted it slightly.
China
The original: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig — tied to the lunar new year in late January or February.
Vietnam
Almost identical, with two swaps: the Cat replaces the Rabbit, and the Buffalo (water buffalo) stands in for the Ox. Vietnamese New Year, Tết, usually falls on the same day as Chinese New Year.
Japan
Japan uses the same 12 animals (the jūnishi) but since 1873 attaches them to the January 1 (Gregorian), not the lunar new year — so there is no late-January cut-off to worry about. The Boar is often specifically the wild boar rather than the domestic pig.
Korea
Korea keeps the Chinese line-up and the lunar new year (Seollal). The signs (tti) are still widely used, especially when talking about someone's age.