Here’s why there’s no Year of the Cat
Print Edition
HOW the 12 zodiac animals of the Chinese calendar secured their spot is revealed in an ancient folk tale.
In Chinese culture, every year is represented by one of the 12 animals in a set order, starting with the rat and ending with the pig.
This year it is the turn of the rooster, third last in the 12-yearly cycle.
According to the ancient tale, it all began when the Jade Emperor organized a race across a river. Frontrunners were the cat and the rat who persuaded the ox to let them ride across the river on its back.
But the rat pushed the cat into the water and jumped ahead of the ox to claim first spot. The ox came in second followed by the tiger, which also swam across.
Close behind was the rabbit, which had hopped from rock to rock.
The dragon managed fifth. But it had stopped to help some villagers.
After the snake and the horse made it, the sheep, monkey and rooster arrived on a raft. Then the dog — delayed because it was playing in the water. Finally the pig, who had eaten too much and took a nap.
The cat was left to flounder in the river.
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