Chinese zodiac · sign 4 of 12
Cat
The Cat represents elegance, diplomacy and sensitivity. It's a symbol of peace and fortune in Chinese culture.
- On the wheel of the twelve animals, in black: Cat.
- The red triangle links it with its two friends (三合): Goat and Pig.
- The dotted line crosses to its opposite (六冲): Rooster.
History and symbolism
The Cat in the Chinese tradition
The Cat is one of the most cherished animals in the Chinese zodiac. It's associated with the moon and with elegance.
Traits
How it shows up
Characteristics
- Elegant
- Diplomatic
- Sensitive
- Pacific
- Shrewd
Strengths
- Elegance
- Diplomacy
- Artistic sensitivity
- Patience
- Good intuition
Challenges
- Excessive caution
- Indecision
- Silent resentment
- Avoiding conflict
- Insecurity
Cat years
Were you born in a Cat year?
The Chinese year starts with the Lunar New Year, between January 21 and February 21. If you were born in those weeks, check the exact day: your sign may be the previous one.
| Year | From | To | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | Feb 2, 1927 | Jan 22, 1928 | Fire |
| 1939 | Feb 19, 1939 | Feb 7, 1940 | Earth |
| 1951 | Feb 6, 1951 | Jan 26, 1952 | Metal |
| 1963 | Jan 25, 1963 | Feb 12, 1964 | Water |
| 1975 | Feb 11, 1975 | Jan 30, 1976 | Wood |
| 1987 | Jan 29, 1987 | Feb 16, 1988 | Fire |
| 1999 | Feb 16, 1999 | Feb 4, 2000 | Earth |
| 2011 | Feb 3, 2011 | Jan 22, 2012 | Metal |
| 2023 | Jan 22, 2023 | Feb 9, 2024 | Water |
The five elements
Five versions of the same sign
Every Cat is also born with one of five elements, which changes every two years. The table above shows which one belongs to each year.
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
What's your animal?
Calculate it from your date of birth, with the exact Chinese New Year cutoff, and see which countries, brands and people share your sign.
Keep in mind
The Cat's characteristics in the Chinese zodiac are cultural interpretations with no scientific basis.
The Chinese zodiac is an age-old belief system rooted in Chinese culture. Molino uses it as a tool for reflection and self-knowledge. The interpretations don't constitute scientific evidence, predictions or diagnoses. The calculations are deterministic and reproducible from the year of birth.