Is the initial symbol of 4th earthly branches (Đia Chi Mao) the name of rabbit or of the cat?
Abstract
Through the evidences from old books, archeology, languages in China and Vietnam, so far we can identify that 12th earthly branches has been popular since the Shang Dynasty but 12 animals as symbols of 12th earthly branches only appeared about time of pre - Qin, in which 4th earthly branches “Mao” had image as the rabbit. Since the domination of Han Dynasty until the indefendent state starting from Đinh Dynasty, VietNam, influenced by Chinese traditions, used the rabbit to represent Chi Mao. Until
16th- 17th centuries, Chi Mao began to be used to represent the cat because of internal demands of daily life and psychology of Vietnamese people.