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What is ‘Sibijisin’?

What is ‘Sibijisin’?

The New Year 2013 is referred to as ‘Gyesanyeon or ‘Year of the Snake.’ The Snake is the sixth in the group of twelve animal guardian deities collectively known as the Sibijisin, which literally means "Twelve (sibi) gods of the earth (jisin)." The animals of the Sibijisin are the mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig.

In ancient times, Koreans had referred to the twelve animals to measure the hours of the day. For example, the hours between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. had been called "Myosi" (Time of the Rabbit), and the hours between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. "Misi" (Time of the Sheep). The entire day had been divided into twelve different "times," each represented by one of the twelve animals. Also, the animals had been thought to represent directions. As the animals have long been revered as guardians against evil spirits, their statues have been built around many royal tombs and sites.

Moreover, each year is marked by~jisin; since there are twelve jisins, the cycle repeats every 12 years. 2012 was the Year of the Dragon, 2013 the Year of the Snake, 2014 the Year of the Horse, and so on and so forth. It is traditionally believed that people possess the characteristics of the animal that marks their birth year. Therefore, the year and the time of birth are often used to determine one’s personality and fate.

Sibijisin and Times

Mouse: Jasi
The mouse is most active during Jasi.
Cow: Chuksi
The cow chews the cud during Chuksi in preparation for the next morning's work in the field.
Tiger: Insi
The tiger is the most ferocious during Insi
Rabbit: Myosi
During Myosi, before the sunrise, the rabbit can be seen on the moon.
Dragon: Jinsi
During Jinsi, the dragon gathers the clouds to bring the rain.
Snake: Sasi
The snake sleeps during Sasi, and will not harm anyone.
Horse: Osi
During Osi, the “yang” (male) energy turns into the “yin” (female) energy. The horse that gallops across the earth, which is the ‘yin’, represents the time.
Sheep: Misi
Misi is the ideal time for the sheep to graze without harming the grass.
Monkey: Sinsi
The monkey cries the most during Sinsi.
Chicken: Yusi
The chicken returns to its nest during Yusi.
Dog: Sulsi
As the sun sets during Sulsi, the dog begins guarding its house
Pig: Haesi
The pig sleeps the most deeply during Haesi.

Meaning of the 12 Sibiji

Animals Time Months Directions
Ja Mouse 23:00~01:00 Nov. N
Chuk Cow 01:00~03:00 Dec. NN
In Tiger 03:00~05:00 Jan. NEE
Myo Rabbit 05:00~07:00 Feb. E
Jin Dragon 07:00~09:00 March SEE
Sa Snake 09:00~11:00 April SSE
O Horse 11:00~13:00 May S
Mi Sheep 13:00~15:00 June SSW
Sin Monkey 15:00~17:00 July SWW
Yu Chicken 17:00~19:00 Aug. W
Sul Dog 19:00~21:00 Sept. NWW
Hae Pig 21:00~23:00 Oct. NNW


Just for Fun: Birth Year Personality Test!

Cow (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
People born in the year of the cow honest, charistmatic, patient and hardworking. They do not like to fail, either in career or love.
People born in the year of the snake are ambitious and hardworking. They are perfecitionists. However, their overly perfectionist personality often results in self-doubt.
Sheep (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)
Chicken (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)
People born in the year of the chicken are intelligent and courageous. They are also meticulous, and morally upright. However, they can also be self-centered and stubborn.
People born in the year of the dog are honest, cheerful, sympathetic and responsible. However, they have a tendency to become reckless in maintaining relationships.
People born in the year of the pig are honest, simple and tough-minded. Many are hardworking. However, their indecisiveness may prevent self-development.

* Above story is related to Korea’s traditional Ideology

* Last updated December 24, 2012

Date 01/02/2013

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