noun
the Snake (sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Serpent
Refers to the sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac, used in years, personality descriptions, and traditional contexts.
来年は巳年です。
Next year is the Year of the Snake.
noun
hour of the Snake (around 10am, 9-11am, or 10am-12 noon)
Obsolete temporal unit from the traditional Chinese time system. Used only in historical contexts or fixed expressions like 巳の刻.
See also: 巳の刻
巳の刻に寺を出発したと古文書にある。
The old document says they departed the temple at the hour of the Snake.
noun
south-southeast
Obsolete directional term from the traditional Chinese zodiac compass. No longer used in modern navigation.
昔の方位では、巳は南南東を指した。
In old directional systems, 巳 indicated south-southeast.
noun
fourth month of the lunar calendar
Obsolete month name from the lunar calendar. Only encountered in historical texts or traditional almanacs.
旧暦の四月は巳の月とも呼ばれた。
The fourth month of the lunar calendar was also called the month of the Snake.
The kanji 巳 is one of the twelve earthly branches, originally used in ancient Chinese astronomy and timekeeping. Its association with the snake comes from the Chinese zodiac system. The reading み is the native Japanese kun'yomi, while し is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.