Rat (zodiac)

"Year of the rat" redirects here. For other uses, see Year of the rat (disambiguation).

The Rat ( 子 or 鼠 ) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.

Years and the Five Elements

Persons born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "year of the Rat," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

• 31 January, 1900 - 18 February, 1901: Metal Rat
• 18 February, 1912 - 5 February, 1913: Water Rat
• 05 February, 1924 - 24 January, 1925: Wood Rat
• 24 January, 1936 - 10 February, 1937: Fire Rat
• 10 February, 1948 - 28 January, 1949: Earth Rat
• 28 January, 1960 - 14 February, 1961: Metal Rat
• 15 February, 1972 - 2 February, 1973: Water Rat
• 02 February, 1984 - 19 February, 1985: Wood Rat
• 19 February, 1996 - 06 February, 1997: Fire Rat
• 07 February,2008 - 25 January,2009: Earth Rat
• 24 January,2020 - 09 February,2021: Metal Rat

Personality

The sign of the Rat is the first of the 12 animals in Chinese Astrology. Charming, diplomatic, hardworking, and thrifty, Rat natives are well liked and usually successful.

Alert, funny, and social, Rats enjoy dressing up and going to parties. They are endlessly curious. They will have the support and admiration of a circle of dear friends.

Rats' lives can be complicated by a tendency to become deeply involved in the personal trials and dramas of those they care about. Deeply sentimental, Rats have difficultly surrendering any emotional attachments, including old sweethearts.

Rats are natural entrepreneurs, with a love of money, a concern for employees, and sound judgment overall. Thrifty Rats naturally recycle and chase a bargain. They are generous only to those they love. They can spend irrationally on their children.

The Rat person is a master at research and finding out other people's secrets. Rats are not hesitant to use any information they discover to their advantage. They can be terrible gossips.

Rats often appear rather reserved. They tend to hide strong emotions. When upset they can appear nervous, critical, or make cutting remarks. Rats hate lateness, unnecessary waste, laziness, and people who do not keep their word.

Rat people are born under the sign of charm and aggressiveness. They are expressive and can be talkative sometimes. They like to go to parties and spend quiet times chatting with their friends. Although the Rat can be quiet sometimes, it is rare to catch a Rat sitting quietly.

Rat people usually have more acquaintances than real friends and they revere and cherish those close to them. Once you become their real friends, they will treat you as their family. Rats are self-contained and keep problems to themselves. And even though they can be talkative sometimes, they never confide in anyone.

Sometimes mean, narrow-minded and suburban in outlook, Rat people are nevertheless honest. They can always make a success of their lives as long as they manage to master their perpetual discontent and their insistence on living for the present moment.

The Rat is quick-witted. Most rats get more accomplished in 24 hours than the rest of us do in as many days. They are confident and usually have good instinct. Stubborn as they are, they prefer to live by their own rules rather others. It won't be an easy task to work with Rat people, why? Simple, because they are also 100% perfectionists.

They are very organized and talented, perhaps that is why the Rat makes a good businessman or politician. Unfortunately, as soon as the Rat earns money, he spends it. Maybe that explains why the Rat is so careful when he lends money to others. If you ever borrow money from the Rat, don't be surprised by the high-interests.

The Rat is not romantic, but he is sensual and loving. Rat people could be hard to see through at first glance, because they are also very protective, but even though they are not easy but they are worth it - ask anyone who has a Rat for a lover, parent, child or friend. They are very loyal and devoting to their families.

The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of the Rat; consequently those born within this category like to be first, pioneers, at the forefront of the action. Because of this, they tend to see themselves as a cut above the others. Restless and inquisitive, those born under the influence of the Rat are active, both physically and mentally, and tend to lead busy lives. Challenge is essential to them for they love the thrill of living dangerously. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, Rats are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. Travelling is one of their favorite pastimes.

The Rat possesses attributes ranging from charming and humorous to honest and meticulous. The Chinese say those born in these years make good and wise advisors, yet they can never decide for themselves and change direction constantly. However, Rats at times hunger for power and money, leading some to be gamblers and others to be manipulative or petty. Their greed can lead them into a destructive trap.

Rats are best known for their charm. Blessed with a sharp wit, they possess a marvelous sense of humor, which makes them stimulating and amusing company to have around. Generally extroverted, they may well be described as opportunists for they prefer to live off their wits rather than labor long and hard to earn their daily bread.

Rats should have a happy childhood and a carefree youth. However, the second part of their lives may be stormy and problematical. They may be prone to lose money in a bad business deal or their happiness in an unfortunate love affair. The third part of their lives will be comfortable, and their old age as peaceful as could be wished.

It is important to note whether the Rat was born in the summer or the winter of the year. In summer the lofts and granaries are full, but in winter the Rat will be obliged to go out and forage for food, and must watch out for the traps set along the way. In human terms, this could mean the risk of prison or an accidental death.

The Passionate Rat

Rats are able to control their feelings and will generally present a cool facade to the outside world, regardless of whatever volcanic emotions they may be feeling inside. But these are passionate creatures whose feelings can be deeply stirred and though able to control them as a rule, when the volcano does erupt, watch out! Perhaps one of their faults is their inability to actually talk about their feelings to those they love, and consequently they tend to repress them -- thus adding to the volcanic pressure. As well as being deeply passionate they are sensual creatures who simply exude sexuality and who greatly enjoy all forms of physical stimulation.

January is the month of the Rat. The time of the Rat is from 11:00 p.m. to 12:59 a.m.; their direction of orientation is the north. The Rat's color is light blue.

Positives

Forthright, charismatic, meticulous, intelligent, sociable, quick-witted, popular.

Negatives

Manipulative, selfish, calculated, secretive, intolerant, greedy, acquisitive .

Attributes

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are perhaps the most organized and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.

Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have an immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit another person, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and to avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.

According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rat in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.

Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.

Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective, and pathology

Traditional Rat Attributes/Associations

Attribute
Zodiac Location	1st
Ruling hours	11pm-1am
Direction	North
Season and month	Winter, December
Gemstone	Garnet
Colors	Black, red, white
Roughly equivalent western sign	Sagittarius
Polarity	Yang
Food	Pork, peas, cabbage
Positive Traits	Meticulous, intelligent, charismatic, charming, ambitious, practical, industrious, eloquent
Negative Traits	Controlling, resentful, manipulative, cruel, vengeful, stubborn, power-driven, critical
Countries	Germany, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, Brazil, Colombia
Most Compatability	Dragon, Monkey, Ox
Semi-Compatablity	Snake, Pig, Rat, Dog
Incompatability	Rabbit, Goat, Rooster, Tiger, Horse

Famous Rats

• Alexander the Great
• Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
• Heinrich Himmler
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah
• Heinz Guderian
• Martin Bormann
• Hans Frank
• Tamerlane
• George Washington
• Yulia Tymoshenko

References

• Adapted from Chinese ZodiacRat, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
• Adapted from Chinese Horoscope Rat, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

See also

• Nezumi - Japanese translation for Rat/Mouse
• Rat or Mouse
• Chinese Zodiac

External links

• Astrohoroscopes.com - Rat
• Astrology.com - Rat
• Chinavoc.com - The Five Types of Mouse
• Go to Horoscope - Rat
• Chinese zodiac - Rat
• Tarot.com - Rat
• Yahoo! Astrology - Daily Overview