The kanji 亥 represents the twelfth and final sign of the Chinese zodiac, corresponding to the year of the Boar (or Pig). It can also signify the direction of the northwest or the hour of the night (between 9 PM and 11 PM). The core meaning is associated with the end of a cycle, completion, and the culmination of a period. It suggests preparation for the next beginning.

・On-yomi (音読み): がい (gai) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): い (i)

⚫︎亥年 (いのししどし) Translation: The year of the Boar (Pig) ⚫︎十二支 (じゅうにし) Translation: The twelve zodiac signs (亥 is one of them) ⚫︎亥の刻 (いのこく) Translation: The hour of the Boar (9 PM to 11 PM)

The kanji 亥 is a pictograph. ⚫︎ It originally depicted the shape of a pig. ⚫︎ Over time, the form of the character simplified to its current shape. ⚫︎ The association with the boar likely influenced its meaning as the twelfth sign of the zodiac, representing the end of a cycle.