also: ぼし
noun
Earth Rat; 25th year of the sexagenary cycle
Refers to the 25th term of the traditional 60-year cycle, combining the Earthly Branch 子 (Rat) with the Celestial Stem 戊 (Earth). Used in historical and astrological contexts.
See also: 干支
戊子の年は、十干十二支の25番目にあたる。
The year of the Earth Rat is the 25th in the sexagenary cycle.
1948年は戊子の年だった。
1948 was a year of the Earth Rat.
干支 is the general term for the sexagenary cycle; 戊子 is one specific term within it.
Compound of 戊 (tsuchinoe, the fifth Celestial Stem, associated with Earth) and 子 (ne, the first Earthly Branch, the Rat). The on-reading ぼし follows standard Sino-Japanese readings.