In the days approaching the Chinese New Year, an ancient tomb mural in Weishan, China has sparked an online debate on whether January 29, 2025 should actually mark the beginning of the Year of the Cat, and not the Snake.
A copy of the mural is currently on display at Yuelu Academy (about an hour away from Weishan), a prestigious institution of higher learning in Hunan province established during the Song dynasty (960-1279). It portrays 12 animals dressed in bureaucratic attire where the snake was swapped for the cat.
While cats have already gained popularity as house hold pets during the Song dynasty, they were excluded from the zodiac. Chinese folklore tells us that the cat missed out as it overslept during the selection process. Other stories suggest that the cat was sabotaged by the rat, who crossed the finished line by riding on the ox’s horn to cross the river.
The discovery of the mural has reinforced the theory that China’s diverse regions and tribes had very different customs before the 12 zodiac animals became universal across the country.
Cat lovers need not fret as the adorable animal is much a part of the Vietnamese zodiac. The Vietnamese zodiac, which shares 10 out of 12 signs with the Chinese zodiac, has the cat instead of the rabbit. Vietnam also celebrates the buffalo instead of the ox, perhaps as the buffalo is more common in the country.
The animals in the Vietnamese zodiac system are given a distinct name. They are Tý (Mouse), Sửu (Ox), Dần (Tiger), Mão (Cat), Thìn (Dragon), Tỵ (Snake), Ngọ (Horse), Mùi (Goat), Thân (Monkey), Dậu (Rooster), Tuất (Dog), and Hợi (Pig).
Mão-the cat- is an emblem of independence and adaptability. Those born in the Year of the Cat are often articulate, talented, ambitious, and academically successful, and of course may clash with (who else) – those born in the Year of the Mouse.
While it may not be the cat’s time – cats will always have a special place in our hearts.