Digimon’s third season, Digimon Tamers, consists of rich lore that not only reveals the origin but the hierarchy of the Digital World. At the top of the Digimon food chain is the Digimon Sovereign who act as Gods controlling the four corners of the Digital World, and each Sovereign possesses their own set of 3 subordinates known as Devas.
There are 12 Digimon Devas, all inspired by the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese culture has assigned these animals and their traits to the lunar calendar repeating every 12 years. In Chinese astrology, the animal signs/year even go as far as to represent how others are perceived, their personality traits, and even who they should marry (similar to Western Culture’s Astrology). While many anime are inspired by eastern culture, this adaptation brought a modern twist to the ancient animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
12 Kumbhiramon Is The Savvy Rat Deva
Kumbhiramon is the Rat Deva and serves the Digimon Sovereign, Ebonwumon. He is depicted as a white rat inside golden armor with mechanical arms and wings. Its main attack is called Krimisa, where Kumbhiramon can divide itself into six bodies and seal its opponent in a hexagram barrier. Kumbhiramon is the seventh Deva to arrive in the Human World and is ultimately destroyed by Jeri and Leomon.
The Rat is the first of the yearly cycle of 12 animals. Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be smart, quick-witted, and ambitious, though they could possess a lack of courage. Those looking for love are best matched with people born in the Year of the Ox, Dragon, or Monkey.
11 Vajramon Is The Loyal Ox Deva
Vajramon is the Ox Deva, and like Kumbhiramon serves the Digimon Sovereign, Ebonwumon. The Ox-like Digimon looks similar to a centaur covered in gold markings. He wears red and gold armor and wields 2 swords. Vajramon’s main attack is called Terra Blade, where he generates fissures in the earth with his swords. Vajramon is introduced in Digimon Tamers alongside Pajiramon, the sheep Deva. After escaping defeat by Rapidmon, Vajramon tries to convince Renamon to join the Devas, but once she gets the info she needs, Renamon digivolves into Taomon and destroys the Ox Deva.
The Ox is the second in the Chinese Zodiac order. The myth states that the Jade Emperor chose the order based on the arrival of the 12 animals and while the Ox did leave first, the Rat who hid in his ear was able to sneak past him for first place. Those born in the Year of the Ox are said to be loyal, responsible, and hard-working, and are best matched with people born in the Year of the Rat, Snake, and Rooster.
10 Mihiramon Is The Brave Tiger Deva
Mihiramon is the Tiger Deva and serves under the Digimon Sovereign, Azulongmon. He is a yellow Tiger with purple stripes, wings, and spiked shields on his shoulders and thighs. Similar to Vajramon, Mihiramon's main attack is the Tiger Wing Blades which causes shock waves by striking the ground with his Samurai Tiger Tail. Mihiramon is the first Deva to enter the Human World. He is destroyed by Takato, who uses a Blue Card which causes Growlmon to matrix-digivolve into WarGrowlmon.
Those born in the Year of the Tiger are often brave, optimistic, and passionate, but this can sometimes come across as overconfident or rebellious. Tigers are best matched with people born in the Year of the Dragon, Horse, and Pig.
9 Antylamon Is The Kind-Hearted Rabbit Deva
Antylamon is the Rabbit Deva and serves alongside Mihiramon under the Digimon Sovereign, Azulongmon. While she is introduced as the guardian of the south gate leading to Zhuqiaomon's palace, she ends up becoming the partner Digimon to Henry’s sister, Suzie. Antylamon is depicted as a large bunny and is the ultimate form of Lopmon, a twin Digimon to Henry’s partner, Terriermon. Both characters were introduced as Davis' partner Digimon in Digimon the Movie.
Chinese mythology often associates the Rabbit with the moon goddess and treats the Rabbit as a symbol of pureness. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are optimistic and kind-hearted while sometimes being a bit emotionally unstable. People born in the Year of the Rabbit match best with many people including those born in the Year of the Sheep, Monkey, Dog, and Pig.
8 Majiramon Is The Determined Dragon Deva
Majiramon is the Dragon Deva and the final one under the Digimon Sovereign, Azulongmon. He is depicted as a Chinese dragon with long arms and a slender body but with the addition of antlers. Majiramon is seen with Makuramon, the Monkey Deva, as the two search for Calumon in the Digital World. But just before he can destroy the Tamers, Ryo and Cyberdramon show up destroying the dragon Digimon.
While the Dragon is prolific in Eastern Mythology, it is the only fictional animal featured on the Chinese Zodiac. Dragons are often depicted as a composition of several animals, including a snake's body, horns of a deer, head of an ox, mouth of a crocodile, claws of an eagle, and scales of a fish. Chinese culture often regards being born in the Year of the Dragon as lucky and provides the person with determination and ambition. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are best matched with people born in the Rooster, Rat, and Monkey Year.
7 Sandiramon Is The Perceptive Snake Deva
Sandiramon is the Snake Deva and serves under the Digimon Sovereign, Zhuqiaomon. He is depicted as a giant white cobra outfitted with purple and gold armor. He is the second Digimon Deva to fight the Tamers, and like any horror movie, he bio-emerges into the subway tunnels of Shinjuku. The Tamers and their Digimon can defeat Sandiramon with their combined strength but not before he warns them of the 10 Devas still to come.
The Snake is number six and rounds out the first half of the zodiac. Legend has it that similar to the Rat that hid inside the Ox, the Snake hitched a ride on the Horse’s hoof and when they crossed the river, and the Snake scared the horse, beating it out for sixth place. Those born in the Year of the Snake are often calm and perceptive but can also be skeptical and possessive. They work well with those born in the Year of the Dragon and Rooster, but don’t get along with the Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep, Pig, and other Snakes.
6 Indramon Is The Overconfident Horse Deva
Indramon is the Horse Deva and serves under the Digimon Sovereign, Zhuqiaomon. He is depicted as a bipedal purple horse with long arms and golden hooves. His special move is called the Horn of Desolation, which allows him to generate ultrasonic waves through his Bǎo Bèi, a large golden conch shell. When Indramon bio-emerges into the Human World and ends up beating Impmon within an inch of his life, Indramon is ultimately defeated by WarGrowlmon who uses his Atomic Blaster to destroy him and his horn.
Horses were the most frequent forms of transportation in the ancient world and thus are often seen as important creatures and representative of heroes. Those born in the Year of the Horse possess similar traits of bravery and strength, while they can sometimes be seen as overconfident. They are best matched with people born in the Year of the Tiger, Sheep, and Rabbit.
5 Pajiramon Is The Stubborn Sheep Deva
Pajiramon is the Sheep Deva and serves under the Digimon Sovereign, Zhuqiaomon. Similar to Vajramon, Pajiramon has a Centaur-like body type with large arms. It carries a purple crossbow for its attack called Vahnijvala, which uses special arrows to trap opponents in a nightmare world. Pajiramon bio-emerges into the Human World alongside Vajramon but is ultimately brought down by Henry, who uses the Blue Card to matrix-digivolve Gargomon to Rapidmon.
In ancient Chinese society, sheep served as currency and thus represented wealth for those who were born in the Year of the Sheep. In addition to wealth, people have the traits of being sympathetic and creative. Those born in that year are good matches with people born in the Year of the Rabbit, Horse, and Pig.
4 Makuramon Is The Quick-Witted Monkey Deva
Makuramon is the Monkey Deva and works under the Digimon Sovereign, Baihumon. Makuramon looks like a normal monkey but wears a silver suit of armor. He has the ability to appear as a human and disguises himself as a boy named Makura. He infiltrates the school the Tamers attend to find the source of the Shining Digivolution power. After realizing it’s Calumon, Makuramon kidnaps him and brings him back to the Digital World. After losing Calumon, he instead kidnaps Henry’s sister, Suzie, only to later be defeated by Beelzemon.
Sun Wukong, known as the Monkey King, is the most famous monkey across Chinese legend. He was known to be intelligent, brave, and a bit rebellious, all traits that those born in the Year of the Monkey possess. People born in that year are best matched with those from the Year of the Ox and Rabbit.
3 Sinduramon Is The Boastful Rooster Deva
Sinduramon is the Rooster Deva and serves the Digimon Sovereign, Baihumon. He is the third Deva to appear in the Human World and uses his electric claws to steal all the electricity from the city, causing him to grow to an enormous size. The chicken is ultimately brought down by Growlmon and Terriermon, who knocks him into the water.
The rooster in the Chinese Zodiac represents punctuality ,and those born in the Year of the Rooster are often outgoing, humorous, and independent, though they can be seen as impatient and boastful. Those born in this year are best matched with people born in the Year of the Ox and Snake.
2 Caturamon Is The Clever Dog Deva
Caturamon is the Dog Deva and serves the Digimon Sovereign, Baihumon with Sinduramon and Makuramon. Caturamon is a large dog-type Digimon that wears blue armor and resembles the Shisa, a Chinese guardian lion that is often carved into stone like a gargoyle. He is the leader of the Devas and the final one the Tamers must defeat. Ultimately, Takato and Guiomon biomerge to their mega form, Gallantmon, and destroy Caturamon.
Like most of the world, Chinese culture regards dogs as man’s best friend and thus brings with them luck and good fortune. Caturamon’s Shisa appearance also speaks more to the dog’s ability to ward off evil spirits. Those born in the Year of the Dog are said to be loyal, brave, and clever, while they could also be seen as emotional. The only people considered a good love match to those born in this year are those born in the Year of the Rabbit.
1 Vikaralamon Is The Self-Indulgent Pig Deva
Vikaralamon is the Pig Deva and serves the Digimon Sovereign, Ebonwumon. He is depicted as a giant boar with large tusks almost covering his entire face. Just as the Pig is the final animal in the Chinese Zodiac, Vikaralamon is the final Deva to bio-emerge into the Human World before the Tamers journey to the Digital World. His large size causes massive destruction to the city of Shinjuku. After a long battle including not only the Tamers and their Digimon but the military, ultimately WarGrowlmon destroys Vikaralamon with his "Atomic Blaster".
Pigs represent wealth and luck in the Chinese culture, but their love for eating and sleeping is said to bring people gluttony and laziness. Those born in the Year of the Pig are said to mirror these traits, being diligent and sincere though self-indulgent. People born in this year are best matched with those born in the Year of the Tiger, Rabbit, and Sheep.