Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Yin-yang: Yang
Symbolic qualities
- clever
- quick
- enterprising
- a saver
The first of the Chinese signs, the Rat describes the wit that spots an opening early. It is sociable, builds networks and likes to save. Its shadow side is a need for control turning into unease.
The outward, initiating, active side. In yang years the element is expressed in a more visible, active way.
Cultural note
According to the tale of the great race called by the Jade Emperor, the rat rode on the ox's back and jumped ahead at the finish to become the first animal of the cycle. The story shows wit and opportunism together.
Things you might reflect on
- Which opening have you noticed but not yet taken up?
- Do the things you collect (knowledge, objects, feelings) still serve you?
- Is there a small area where you could let go of control?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1900 · Metal · 31 January 1900
- 1912 · Water · 18 February 1912
- 1924 · Wood · 5 February 1924
- 1936 · Fire · 24 January 1936
- 1948 · Earth · 10 February 1948
- 1960 · Metal · 28 January 1960
- 1972 · Water · 15 February 1972
- 1984 · Wood · 2 February 1984
- 1996 · Fire · 19 February 1996
- 2008 · Earth · 7 February 2008
- 2020 · Metal · 25 January 2020
- 2032 · Water · 11 February 2032
- 2044 · Wood · 30 January 2044
- 2056 · Fire · 15 February 2056
- 2068 · Earth · 3 February 2068
- 2080 · Metal · 22 January 2080
- 2092 · Water · 7 February 2092
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Rat
- Water feeds wood: the rat opens to growth and flexibility. Its ideas branch like shoots and its curiosity can turn into generous sharing.
- Fire Rat
- Fire and water work against each other: a sparky but tense energy. A rat that gets excited fast and then needs to catch its breath.
- Earth Rat
- Earth gives water banks: the rat is more patient and inclined to save. Its networking skill is tied to a concrete order.
- Metal Rat
- Metal feeds water: clarity and resolve arrive. The wit that spots an opening is sharper, goal-focused and selective.
- Water Rat
- The rat doubled in its own element: intuition and adaptability come forward. Its reading of situations is deep, though feelings may swing.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.