What year is the Year of the Cat according to the Eastern horoscope? - briefly
The Year of the Cat in the Eastern horoscope is 2025. This cycle is part of the 12-year lunar calendar, where each year is associated with an animal.
What year is the Year of the Cat according to the Eastern horoscope? - in detail
The Eastern horoscope, often referred to as the Chinese zodiac, is a 12-year cycle where each year is associated with an animal. The sequence of animals is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Cat. However, it is crucial to note that the traditional Chinese zodiac does not include the Cat. Instead, the 12th position is occupied by the Pig.
The misconception about the Year of the Cat likely arises from a blend of cultural influences. In Vietnamese astrology, which is derived from the Chinese zodiac but has some unique characteristics, the Cat replaces the Rabbit. This substitution is due to a folktale where the Cat missed the meeting with the Jade Emperor because it was overslept by the Rat. Consequently, in the Vietnamese zodiac, the Cat stands in the place of the Rabbit, making the 4th year in the cycle the Year of the Cat.
In the Vietnamese zodiac, the years are as follows:
- Rat: 2020, 2032, 2044, etc.
- Ox: 2021, 2033, 2045, etc.
- Tiger: 2022, 2034, 2046, etc.
- Cat: 2023, 2035, 2047, etc.
- Dragon: 2024, 2036, 2048, etc.
- Snake: 2025, 2037, 2049, etc.
- Horse: 2026, 2038, 2050, etc.
- Goat: 2027, 2039, 2051, etc.
- Monkey: 2028, 2040, 2052, etc.
- Rooster: 2029, 2041, 2053, etc.
- Dog: 2030, 2042, 2054, etc.
- Pig: 2031, 2043, 2055, etc.
For those following the Vietnamese zodiac, the Year of the Cat is significant and occurs every 12 years. The most recent Year of the Cat was in 2023, and the next will be in 2035. Each animal in the zodiac is believed to influence the characteristics and fortunes of individuals born in its respective year, adding a layer of cultural and astrological significance to the cycle.