The Chinese Zodiac uses 12 animal symbols to describe each year, on a rolling 12-year cycle. So, each year corresponds to an animal symbol. The first animal in this cycle is the rat. It’s important to note that in Chinese, the word shu, which refers to the year of the rat, can actually be used to describe a rat or a mouse.
The Chinese Zodiac cycles through five elements:
- Wood
- Fire
- Water
- Earth
- Air
Each year of the rat is also associated with one of these elements. Depending on which year it was, it would be called “wood rat,” “fire rat,” and so on.
Each animal symbol corresponds to:
- An element
- Lucky and unlucky directions
- Lucky days and months
- Lucky and unlucky numbers
- Lucky and unlucky colors
- A season
- Either yin or yang energy
- An hour of the day
- Certain personality characteristics
The element associated with that year further specifies the personality characteristics associated with people born in that year. For example, someone born in a “water rat” year would have different characteristics than someone born in an “earth rat” year.
The Chinese Zodiac follows the lunar calendar. So, the year starts on the Lunar New Year, also called the Chinese New Year, which falls on a different day on the Gregorian calendar each year.
The Chinese Zodiac uses 12 animal symbols to describe each year with the first animal in this cycle being the rat.
©iStock.com/9george
Was I Born In The Year Of The Rat?
How can you tell if you were born in the year of the rat? The following table shows past and future rat years along with their associated elements. Also included are the dates of rat years on the Gregorian calendar.
| Dates | Element |
|---|---|
| January 31, 1900 – February 18, 1901 | Metal Rat |
| February 18, 1912 – February 5, 1913 | Water Rat |
| February 5, 1924 – January 23, 1925 | Wood Rat |
| January 24, 1936 – February 10, 1937 | Fire Rat |
| February 10, 1948 – January 28, 1949 | Earth Rat |
| January 28, 1960 – February 14, 1961 | Metal Rat |
| February 15, 1972 – February 2, 1973 | Water Rat |
| February 2, 1984 – February 19, 1985 | Wood Rat |
| February 19, 1996 – February 6, 1997 | Fire Rat |
| February 7, 2008 – January 25, 2009 | Earth Rat |
| January 25, 2020 – February 11, 2021 | Metal Rat |
| February 11, 2032 – January 20, 2033 | Water Rat |
| January 30, 2044 – February 16, 2045 | Wood Rat |
| February 15, 2056 – February 3, 2057 | Fire Rat |
| February 3, 2068 – January 22, 2069 | Earth Rat |
| January 22, 2080 – February 8, 2081 | Metal Rat |
| February 7, 2092 – January 26, 2093 | Water Rat |
Lucky Symbols And Times
Each symbol in the Chinese Zodiac has both lucky and unlucky associated symbols. It is said that people should avoid these unlucky ones and may use the lucky ones to give them an advantage in any situation. There are also certain hours and days that are lucky for people who were born in the year of the rat. Here are the lucky things that people who were born during the year of the rat may find brings them good fortune.
- Lucky numbers: 2 and 3, as well as any number that combines the two like 23 or 32
- Lucky colors: Blue, gold, and green
- Lucky flowers: Any type of lily
- Lucky directions: Southeast and northeast
- Lucky directions for love: West
- Lucky directions for money: Southeast and east
- Ruling hour: 11pm-1am
- Lucky days: The fourth and thirteenth day of each lunar month
Unlucky Symbols And Times
Just as there are lucky symbols, there are also unlucky ones people born in the year of the rat may want to avoid including:
- Unlucky numbers: 5 and 9
- Unlucky colors: Yellow and brown
It is also said that when any person returns to their Chinese Zodiac year, they will have bad luck. So rats may want to look out for negative events in the rat years following their birth.
Just as there are lucky symbols, there are also unlucky ones people born in the year of the rat may want to avoid such as the color brown.
©torook/Shutterstock.com
Does The Year Of The Rat Have Yin Or Yang Energy?
Many people are familiar with the symbol of yin and yang. This represents the balance between two types of energy that traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe we have in each of us. These practitioners believe that many illnesses result from an imbalance in these energies.
Yin energy has the characteristics of being feminine, cooling, accepting, and restful. Yang energy is masculine, warming, and action-oriented.
The year of the rat is associated with yang energy.
The year of the rat is associated with yang energy.
©iStock.com/melazerg
Which Element Is Associated With The Year Of The Rat?
The year of the rat is associated with water. In traditional Chinese philosophy, water has yin energy and is associated with stillness, as well as a downward or inward motion. In this philosophy, water is associated with the color black, with winter, and with the black tortoise.
Because of this, the associated season for the year of the rat is winter.
The year of the rat is associated with water.
©iStock.com/Nigel Harris
Which Heavenly General Is Associated With The Year Of The Rat?
Each animal (and year) of the Chinese Zodiac is associated with one of the 12 heavenly generals. These generals are protective divine figures found in the East Asian Buddhist religion. The one associated with the year of the rat is known as Vikala in Sanskrit, and 毘羯羅 or Vikaralamon in Chinese.
Personality Traits
People born under the year of the rat have certain personality traits that may show up. As previously mentioned, the element associated with that specific year can also have an effect on the personality strengths and weaknesses of someone born in a rat year.
Rats are cunning creatures who know how to survive in many circumstances and get out of a jam. Because of this tendency, people born in the year of the rat are said to be intelligent and even shrewd. The positive side of this is that they can be very adaptable and have strong critical thinking skills. They know how to survive in any kind of situation and usually come out relatively unscathed.
However, rats are also very skittish creatures. Because of this, one of the more tricky aspects of a rat personality can be fear-based decision-making that ends up looking like greed or conservative thinking. Additionally, people born in the year of the rat have a hard time trusting people. They may become suspicious of their romantic partners, or gossip about their friends.
In business, rats are usually successful if they put their mind to something. They are often successful in professions like finance, sales, and politics.
Rats are also very prolific creatures when it comes to reproduction. Because of this, people born in the year of the rat may have special luck when it comes to fertility.
People born in the year of the rat are said to be intelligent and even shrewd.
©iStock.com/CreativeNature_nl
Wood Rat Personality Traits
In addition to the above traits, people born in a year of the wood rat may also be:
- Confident
- Independent
- Ambitious
- Easily annoyed
Fire Rat Personality Traits
People born in a year of the fire rat may also be:
- Friendly
- Courageous
- Energetic
- Stern at times
Earth Rat Personality Traits
People born in a year of the earth rat may also be:
- Extra adaptable
- Humble yet confident
- Honest
Metal Rat Personality Traits
People born in a year of the metal rat may also be:
- Self-aware
- Family-oriented
- Irritable or strong-tempered
Water Rat Personality Traits
People born in a year of the water rat may also be:
- Conservative-minded
- Observant
- Intelligent
Famous People Born During The Year Of The Rat
Some well-known figures who were born during a rat year include:
- Al Gore
- Rosa Parks
- Tim Cook
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- Scarlett Johansson
- William Shakespeare
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- T.S. Eliot
- George Washington
- Cameron Diaz
What Other Chinese Zodiac Signs
Are Compatible With Rats?
The most compatible signs for rats are other rats, oxen, dragons, and monkeys. The least compatible signs with rats are rabbits, horses, and roosters.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Sonsedska
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How to tell if you were born in the year of the rat?
If you were born in 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, or 2020, you were born in the year of the rat.
What will be the year of the rat in the future?
In the future, the year of the rat in the Chinese Zodiac will be 2032, 2044, 2056, 2068, 2080, and 2092.
What are the lucky numbers for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology?
The lucky numbers for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology are 2 and 3, as well as any number that combines the two like 23 or 32.
What are the unlucky numbers for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology?
The unlucky numbers for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology are 5 and 9 and any number that combines the two like 59.
What are the lucky colors for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology?
The lucky colors for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology are blue, gold, and green.
What are the unlucky colors for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology?
The unlucky colors for the rat sign in Chinese Astrology are yellow and brown.
Does the year of the rat have yin or yang energy?
The year of the rat has yang energy.
What season is associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology?
Winter is associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology.
What element is associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology?
Water is the element associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology.
Which heavenly general is associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology?
Vikala in Sanskrit and 毘羯羅 or Vikaralamon in Chinese is the heavenly general associated with the year of the rat in Chinese astrology.
What traits are associated with people born during the year of the rat?
People born during the year of the rat are said to be intelligent and adaptable. However, they can also be suspicious and conservative-minded. They are also said to have good luck with fertility.
Who are some famous people born during the year of the rat?
Some famous people born during the year of the rat include Al Gore, George Washington, and Cameron Diaz.
What signs are most compatible with rats in Chinese astrology?
The most compatible signs for rats in Chinese astrology are other rats, oxen, dragons, and monkeys.
What signs are least compatible with rats in Chinese astrology?
The least compatible signs with rats in Chinese astrology are rabbits, horses, and roosters.
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