A kitsune (狐) is a fox in Japanese folklore: an intelligent, magical animal that can live for centuries, grow extra tails and take human form. Kitsune can be protective messengers of the gods or clever tricksters, and the nine-tailed fox is the most powerful of all.
Quick answer: what does a kitsune symbolize?
- Intelligence and cunning
- Protection and prosperity, as messengers of the god Inari
- Transformation: the ability to change shape
- Wisdom that grows with age, shown by the number of tails
Why do kitsune have nine tails?
In the folklore, a fox gains a new tail as it grows older and wiser. A fox that reaches nine tails (kyūbi no kitsune) is said to be extremely old (often a thousand years) and to hold great power and insight. That is why the nine-tailed fox is the version most often seen in art, anime and embroidery.
Kitsune and Inari
Foxes are the messengers of Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, harvest and prosperity. Stone fox statues guard thousands of Inari shrines across Japan, including Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, famous for its tunnels of red torii gates. Offerings of fried tofu (aburaage) are left for the foxes, which is why kitsune udon is topped with fried tofu.
Good foxes and tricksters
- Zenko (good foxes) are benevolent, associated with Inari and protection.
- Yako (field foxes) are mischievous tricksters who play pranks or deceive people.
The most famous trickster story is that of Tamamo-no-Mae, a legendary beauty at the imperial court who was revealed to be a nine-tailed fox.
Kitsune masks and foxfire
Fox masks are worn at festivals and in theatre, and foxes are said to create kitsune-bi, or foxfire: mysterious floating lights at night. Both appear often in Japanese prints and modern streetwear graphics.
Kitsune on sukajan
On a sukajan, the kitsune is a statement of wit and independence, often surrounded by flames, peonies or clouds.
FAQ
Is a kitsune good or evil?
Both appear in folklore. Inari's foxes are protective and bring prosperity; wild foxes are often tricksters. Most modern designs use the kitsune as a symbol of cleverness and protection.
How many tails can a kitsune have?
Up to nine. The number of tails shows the fox's age, wisdom and power.
What is the difference between a kitsune and a regular fox?
Kitsune is simply the Japanese word for fox, but in folklore it refers to foxes with supernatural powers.
See all our symbol designs in Koi, Phoenix & More, or learn the meaning of the koi fish.