Window cleaners dressed as a rooster, this year's Chinese zodiac animal, and a dog, next year's zodiac, were seen on Wednesday dangling from the side of a hotel in Tokyo during a promotional event to celebrate the New Year. /VCG Photo

The Ryumeikan hotel in the Japanese capital has an annual tradition of inviting window cleaners to dress up as zodiac animals while they go about their jobs high above the sidewalk. The routine is consistent with Japanese peoples’ custom of cleaning their homes in the middle of every December. /VCG Photo

The culture of the 12 zodiac signs originates from China, but is widely accepted by Asian countries including Japan and South Korea. The zodiac is a 12-year cycle starting from rat and running through all manner of other symbolic creatures to pig. /VCG Photo