Chinese zodiac · culture
Vietnamese zodiac and the Year of the Cat
The Vietnamese cycle uses Cat where the Chinese cycle uses Rabbit, and Water Buffalo where English Chinese-zodiac lists use Ox. The other ten animals share their positions.
Compare the substitutions
Position 2 is Water Buffalo in Vietnamese usage; position 4 is Cat. The Cat year of 2023 corresponded to the Chinese Rabbit year. Both followed Tiger and preceded Dragon.
A familiar cycle with local customs
Tết marks the Vietnamese lunar new year. Check that calendar’s local year boundary when identifying a Vietnamese sign, especially for January and February births. An ordinary Gregorian year number alone is incomplete.
Vietnamese Cat imagery is its own cultural motif. The substitution is not a thirteenth position added after Pig.