Introduction
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle based on an ancient system that assigns an animal to each year. According to legend, the Jade Emperor declared that the order of the animals would be decided by the order in which they arrived at his party. The rat tricked the cat by telling him the wrong date, which is why the cat does not have a year in the 12-year cycle.
Each zodiac year is associated with one of 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. People believe the animal ruling the year they were born influences their personality, career and compatibility with others. The animal cycle repeats every 12 years, so 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac is a classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The 12 animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The origins of the Chinese zodiac can be traced back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. According to folklore, the Jade Emperor declared that the zodiac would be named according to the order in which the animals arrived at his party. The 12 animals raced across a river to get to the party, with the rat finishing first by leaping on the ox’s back and jumping across the finish line.[1]
The Chinese zodiac has been used for centuries as a method to name the years in a 12 year cycle. The animal cycle begins with the Rat and cycles continuously through the other eleven signs. Each year is associated with one of five elements as well – metal, water, wood, fire, and earth – which further defines its character.
How Are Zodiac Animal Years Determined?
The Chinese zodiac animal years are based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with one of 12 animals. The cycle begins with the Rat and is followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. After the 12th animal year (Pig), the cycle repeats again starting with the Rat.
The 12 zodiac animals in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. So the 1st year of the cycle is the Year of the Rat, the 2nd is the Ox, and so on, repeating after 12 years.
In this 12-year cycle, each zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year, which falls sometime in late January to mid February on the Gregorian calendar. The animal for the year is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar.
2023 – Year of the Rabbit
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Rabbit years occur every 12 years, with the most recent one being in 2011. Some key characteristics of Rabbit years include:
Calmness – Rabbit years are known for being more peaceful and harmonious. There tends to be less conflict and people seek compromise.
Cautiousness – Those born under the Rabbit tend to be more careful and avoid risk. They prefer stability over quick changes.
Refinement – There is an appreciation for beauty and the finer things during Rabbit years. The arts tend to flourish.
Previous Rabbit years include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011. Each of these years took on some of the classic Rabbit traits.
Some famous people born in past Rabbit years include Albert Einstein (1875), Frank Sinatra (1915), Bill Murray (1950), and Angelina Jolie (1975). Their birth years lined up with Rabbit’s creativity and refinement.
While not definitively proven, the zodiac animal of one’s birth year is said to influence personality and destiny. The peacefulness and elegance associated with Rabbit years may shape those born under its sign.
Why is 2023 Not a Year of the Cat?
The cat is not one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. According to legend, the Jade Emperor organized a race to determine which animals would be included in the zodiac. The cat and the rat were good friends, and the rat promised to wake the cat on race day so they could cross the river together. However, the rat forgot about their arrangement and left for the race without waking the cat. By the time the cat awoke and made it to the river, the other 12 animals had already finished the race. The cat missed its chance to be included in the zodiac [1].
Some versions say the cat was tricked by the rat, while others suggest the cat slept too late on race day. Regardless, the cat’s absence from the great race is why 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac, not the Year of the Cat.
When is the Next Year of the Cat?
The next Year of the Cat according to the Chinese zodiac calendar will be in 2035. This is because the 12 zodiac animals rotate through the calendar every 12 years. After the Year of the Rabbit in 2023, the cycle will continue with the Year of the Dragon in 2024, followed by the Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, and finally the Cat returning in 2035.
Some other upcoming Cat years in the future will be in 2047, 2059, 2071, 2083, 2095, 2107, 2119, and 2131. The Years of the Cat occur predictably every 12 years as the zodiac cycle repeats.
So while 2023 is not a Year of the Cat, cat lovers will only have to wait 12 more years for the next occurrence in 2035 according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Cat’s astrological attributes and significance will come around predictably again in another cycle of the zodiac.
Characteristics of Cat Years
Those born in years of the Cat are said to be intelligent, independent, charming, and imaginative. Some key personality traits associated with the Cat include:
Cautiousness and Observance – People born in Cat years tend to be sensitive and act with careful consideration before making decisions. They are observant and think through all possibilities before acting. Source
Creativity and Artistic Flair – The Cat is associated with creativity, artistry, and innovation. Many people born in the year of the Cat excel in creative pursuits like writing, music, design, and acting. Source
Independence and Free Spirit – Those born under the Cat zodiac are independent and follow their own path. They cherish freedom and dislike restraints. This can make them appear aloof or distant in relationships at times. Source
Intelligence and Wit – The Cat is known for being smart, clever, and quick-witted. They tend to grasp new concepts quickly and have strong problem-solving abilities.
Events and themes that may emerge in Cat years include more creativity and innovation in arts, culture, and technology; renewed interest in independent thinking and freedom; and greater caution or risk-aversion in business and politics.
Previous Cat Years in History
The years 1851, 1863, 1875, 1887, 1899, 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 are all Cat years according to the Vietnamese zodiac calendar. Here are some highlights from these past Cat years:
In 1863, the first underground metro system opened in London (Cat (zodiac)). 1871 saw the establishment of the first German Empire. In 1887, Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print. The first NBA games were played in 1899.
Some major historical events that happened in Cat years of the 20th century include the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, India gaining independence in 1947, construction beginning on the World Trade Center in 1966, the start of the Vietnam War in 1959, and the Tiananmen Square protests in China in 1971.
More recently in Cat years, the Euro currency was launched in 1999, the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, the Virginia Tech shooting took place in 2007, and the Notre Dame Cathedral fire occurred in 2019.
Overall, both prosperous times and turbulent events have marked previous Cat years throughout history. Each Cat year brings its own unique energy and historical footprint.
Famous People Born in Cat Years
Many famous and influential people throughout history were born in years of the Cat. Here are some notable figures who came into the world under the sign of the feline:
Queen Elizabeth II – The long reigning British monarch was born in 1926, a year of the Fire Cat.
Marilyn Monroe – The iconic actress known for films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was born in 1926 during the Fire Cat year.
Frank Sinatra – Ol’ Blue Eyes, one of the most famous singers of the 20th century, was born in 1915 in the year of the Wood Cat.
Simone de Beauvoir – The French writer, philosopher and pioneer of feminism was born in 1908 during the Earth Cat year.
Diego Rivera – The renowned Mexican painter and muralist behind works like Man at the Crossroads was born in 1886 in the year of the Fire Cat.
Hugh Hefner – The controversial founder of Playboy magazine was born in 1926 during the same Fire Cat year as Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the Chinese zodiac and how the 12 animal signs rotate in a 12-year cycle. We learned that the upcoming year 2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit, not the Year of the Cat. This is because the Cat’s year comes around every 12 years, and the previous Cat year was in 2011.
The next Year of the Cat will be in 2035. Cat years are associated with creativity, independence, and charm. Some famous people born in past Cat years include Eleanor Roosevelt, Walt Disney, and Deepika Padukone.
While 2023 won’t be a Cat year, it will be interesting to see what the Year of the Rabbit has in store. The Rabbit represents peace, patience and prosperity. Hopefully 2023 will be a stable year that leads to positive change.
The key points recapped are that 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, not the Cat, and the next Cat year will be in 2035. The conclusion summarizes the essence of the Chinese zodiac and what to expect in the upcoming year.