also: しんび
noun
Metal Sheep; 8th term of the sexagenary cycle
Refers to the 8th year in the 60-year cycle, combining the Heavenly Stem 辛 (Metal) and the Earthly Branch 未 (Sheep). Used in traditional calendar contexts and for years like 1931, 1991, 2051.
See also: 干支
1991年は辛未の年です。
1991 is the year of the Metal Sheep.
辛未は干支の8番目にあたります。
辛未 corresponds to the 8th term of the sexagenary cycle.
On'yomi reading; less common than かのとひつじ but still used in some contexts.
干支 is the general term for the sexagenary cycle; 辛未 is one specific term within it.
Combination of the Heavenly Stem 辛 (かのと, Metal) and the Earthly Branch 未 (ひつじ, Sheep).