In 2023, according to the Chinese lunar calendar, South Korea and Japan are represented by the rabbit. In the Vietnamese lunar calendar, the year Quý Mão is represented by the cat. In ancient times, both cats and rabbits were considered lucky animals that brought happiness to their owners.
According to the lunar calendar, 2023 is the year of Quý Mão, represented by the cat (Vietnam) or rabbit (China, South Korea, Japan).
According to the book on the 12 zodiac animals, people born in the year of the Cat are cautious, humorous, quick-witted, and skillful. They dislike conflict in any form, always seek attention from those around them, and are wonderful partners in relationships.
In feng shui, cats are regarded as auspicious symbols that bring good fortune and prosperity, and they can harness spiritual power to dispel negative energy. Cats also enhance romantic luck.
Cats are the fourth animal in the 12 zodiac signs. (Photo: AFP)
According to the South China Morning Post, cats have been popular pets in Asian households for hundreds of years.
In fact, cats have lived closely with and are intertwined with human beliefs and thoughts for thousands of years.
In 2001, archaeologists in China discovered cat bones at agricultural settlements in Shaanxi Province. They determined that the bones date back to around 3500 BC but could not ascertain whether they belonged to wild cats or domesticated pets.
According to The Asian, some hypotheses suggest that domestic cats originated from wild cats that existed thousands of years ago during ancient Egyptian times.
At the time the Egyptian empire fell, cats were revered as master hunters and were worshipped by all Egyptians, including Pharaohs, as deities. If an Egyptian killed a cat, they would be punished by death.
Pharaohs were mummified and buried with cat statues as symbols of good luck. In ancient beliefs, cats were seen as reliable companions for humans in the afterlife.
Cats come in many breeds and colors. Black cats are sometimes referred to as spirit cats. In various cultures around the world, the symbolic meaning of cats is not uniform, embodying both good and bad connotations. Nevertheless, black cats play important roles in mythology and folklore in many countries worldwide.
