No, the traditional Chinese zodiac does not include a cat; it features 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig). However, the cat is a prominent animal in the Vietnamese zodiac, where it takes the place of the Chinese Rabbit, and many legends explain the cat's exclusion from the Chinese zodiac, usually involving the Rat tricking the Cat out of winning a race.
As a result, the Cat missed the race and the chance to be part of the zodiac, sparking a bitter rivalry between them ever since. 😾🐭 The 12 animals chosen for the zodiac were carefully selected, reflecting the daily lives and beliefs of ancient Chinese culture.
In order, the 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2022 is a year of the Tiger.
Besides folklore, the reason cats weren't included could also be historical. Cats were not widely domesticated in ancient China during the zodiac's origins around the Xia Dynasty (over 4,000 years ago). Zodiac animals like the rat and ox, in contrast, were central to agriculture, explaining their inclusion over the cat ...
The Missing Cat
In Japanese folklore, there's a popular tale about why the cat is not included in the 12 zodiac animals. According to the story, when the Jade Emperor announced the great race to decide the zodiac animals, he invited all creatures to participate.
The cat and the rate were good friends, and the rat agreed to wake the cat next morning to go to the race together. The next day, the rat failed to honour his promise and left the cat sleeping. As a result, the cat missed the race, allowing the rat to win and become the first sign of the Chinese zodiac.
Maneki Neko, also known as the “beckoning cat” or the “lucky cat,” is a traditional Japanese figurine. People believe they bring their owners good fortune, wealth, and prosperity.
There is also a theory the Vietnamese made their own interpretation of the Chinese word for rabbit, "mao." In Vietnamese, this sounds like "meo," which means cat. The Year of the Cat is believed to bring good luck and smooth sailing in Vietnam.
To find your Chinese zodiac animal, you need your birth year; for example, 2020 was the Rat, 2021 the Ox, 2022 the Tiger, 2023 the Rabbit, 2024 the Dragon, 2025 the Snake, and 2026 is the Horse, with each animal repeating every 12 years in a cycle. Just find your year in the list below to see your sign, but remember the Chinese New Year starts in late January or February, so early January births might fall under the previous year's animal.
Cats have a feminine mystery that represents the positive, creative, and in particular fecund aspects of femininity (Ackroyd, 1993). Cats symbolize pregnant women and are related to the moon by virtue of their feminine nature (Cooper, 1978). In addition, cats symbolize divinity across the world (Miranda, 2008).
Knowing this, the cat asked the rat to wake him up on race day. However, the cunning rat seized the opportunity and left the cat behind, racing ahead without waking him. By the time the cat awoke, the race was already underway, and he had missed his chance for a spot in the zodiac.
Generally, the Dragon, Rat, and Pig are considered consistently lucky for wealth and success due to traits like charisma, intelligence, and generosity, while for specific years like 2026 (Fire Horse), signs like Tiger, Sheep, and Horse also see significant fortune in career, romance, and general abundance. Other luck-favored signs often mentioned are the Snake, Dog, and Rabbit.
According to myths, the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac were selected through a race. This race is meant to create a time measurement for the people. There could only be twelve winners and in order to win, the animals had to cross a rapid current river and reach the finish line on the shore.
The new year is called the Year of the Rabbit in China and the Year of the Cat in Vietnam. How the cat replaced the rabbit in Vietnam is still the subject of debate. Both countries follow a calendar based on 12 signs of a zodiac represented by 12 animals. No one knows exactly how the 12 animals came to be named.
On Jan. 22, 2023, more than a billion people globally will welcome the Year of the Rabbit – or the Year of Cat, depending on which cultural traditions they follow – as the start of the Lunar New Year.
While astrology suggests different signs have their lucky streaks, Sagittarius is most often cited as the luckiest due to its ruler, Jupiter (planet of fortune), bringing expansion, optimism, and opportunities, with Leo, Aries, and Pisces also frequently appearing as very fortunate due to their connection to leadership, bravery, intuition, and Jupiter's influence.
These animals carry unique meanings and attributes. They're believed to shape the lives of those born under their influence. The “eto” (干支) system in Japan draws inspiration from the Chinese zodiac, but it's not identical. For instance, the Japanese zodiac features a wild boar, while the Chinese version has a pig.
You can find out what your zodiac animal is by using a zodiac calendar (like the one below) and finding your birth year. Every year on the Lunar New Year, a new zodiac animal becomes prominent. Lunar New Year falls in January or February each year.
As the Ox was approaching the other side of the river, the Rat pushed the Cat into the river, then jumped off the Ox and rushed to the Jade Emperor, becoming the first in the zodiac. All the other animals made it to the Jade Emperor, while the Cat was left to drown in the river after being sabotaged by the Rat.
The selection of these animals is often influenced by people's specific perceptions of animals and their symbolic importance in Chinese culture. Cats, lacking specific symbolic significance in traditional Chinese culture, didn't secure a place among the zodiac signs.
To find your Chinese zodiac animal, you need your birth year; for example, 2020 was the Rat, 2021 the Ox, 2022 the Tiger, 2023 the Rabbit, 2024 the Dragon, 2025 the Snake, and 2026 is the Horse, with each animal repeating every 12 years in a cycle. Just find your year in the list below to see your sign, but remember the Chinese New Year starts in late January or February, so early January births might fall under the previous year's animal.
In China, people also worshipped cats. In ancient China, farmers worshipped the cat goddess Li Shou, a fertility goddess. Cats were especially popular during the Song dynasty and found their way into Chinese idioms, poetry, and paintings of this time.
China: Known as the "beckoning cat" or "waving cat," Maneki-neko is popular in Chinese communities, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Korea: Adopted as a symbol of protection, Maneki-neko is often placed at the entrance of homes to ward off evil spirits.