When is the Year of the Cat and Rooster? - briefly
The Year of the Cat is not an official designation in the Chinese zodiac. However, the Year of the Rooster, according to the Chinese calendar, occurs every 12 years.
When is the Year of the Cat and Rooster? - in detail
The Chinese Zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao, is based on a twelve-year cycle, with each year being associated with one of twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The Year of the Cat is often misunderstood because the cat is not included in this cycle. However, there are fascinating historical reasons behind this exclusion.
In Chinese culture, the cat is not traditionally considered one of the zodiac animals. According to legend, the Jade Emperor (the ruler of heaven) decided that the order of the animals would be determined by the order in which they arrived at his palace. The Rat, being cunning and resourceful, hitched a ride on the back of the Ox and thus arrived first. The Cat, however, was tricked by the Rat into oversleeping on the day of the race, causing it to miss the chance to be included among the zodiac animals.
The Rooster, on the other hand, is one of the twelve zodiac animals. Those born in the Year of the Rooster are believed to possess certain traits such as being honest, bright, communicative, and talented. They are also known for their ability to combine their talents with hard work, which often leads to success.
To summarize, there is no "Year of the Cat" in the Chinese Zodiac. The cat was excluded from the zodiac animals due to a legend involving the Rat and the Jade Emperor's race. In contrast, the Rooster is one of the twelve zodiac animals, with people born under this sign exhibiting specific personality traits.