Rat Chinese Zodiac - Dates, Personality and Compatibities

The Rat is one of the animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Astrology Zodiac. Get to know the dates, personality characteristics and how they relate to other Chinese signs.

The Rat Sign is the first in the Chinese Zodiac. Cheerful and diligent, this sign's personality is dominated by optimism and the positive way it goes through life. They have a reputation for looking at themselves first and then at others, but they take good care of their family and don't like to be away from them for too long.

The Chinese Zodiac is composed of 12 animals that are organized in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Chinese calendar follows the cycles of the Moon, and on the first day of the Chinese New Year, one of the 12 animals takes its place for that year.

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Characteristics of the Rat Sign

  • Symbol - 鼠
  • Element - Water
  • Regent Planet - Mercury
  • Hour - 23h-01h (midnight hours)
  • Month - December
  • Season - Winter
  • Color - Black, color associated with honor, dignity and success in the face of difficulties
  • Orientation - North, orientation associated with the last hours of the day and the first hours of the morning. North is associated with the peak of winter, when Yin is at its peak
  • Polarity Yin/ Yang - Yang, an element that suggests extraverted behavior , outgoing, enthusiastic, expressive and communicative
  • Attributes - Smart, practical, passionate, selfish, sentimental, creative, problem-solver, imaginative, hyperactive, active, intelligent worker , bold, cunning, sensitive, versatile, energetic, critical, impatient
  • Lucky Days - 4 and 13 of each Chinese lunar month
  • Lucky Months - 2nd, 5th and 9th Chinese Lunar Months
  • Lucky Numbers - 2, 3 and the numbers that contain them (like 23 and 32)
  • Unlucky Numbers - 5, 9
  • Greater Affinity - Rat, Ox, Dragon, Monkey, Dog , Pig
  • Minor Affinity - Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster
  • Correspondent Occidental Sign - Sagittarius

The Rat Sign in Mythology

There are many legends and stories about the animals chosen to be part of the Chinese astrological system. One of these legends refers to the desire of the Jade Emperor to know the animals that inhabited the Earth. He decided that some of them would be brought into his presence. To facilitate the selection, the Emperor defined two criteria: they would have to be useful animals to Man or be one of the first to arrive at the Heavenly Palace on the day of choosing the animals.

The Rat really wanted to get into the initial choice of animals, but he was aware of its little use for Man. Thus, all that remained was for him to use his cunning to be the first to arrive at the Palace. Knowing the Ox's character, he calculated that this would be one of the first animals to arrive.

Early in the morning, on the agreed day, the Rat jumped onto the Ox's horns and arrived at the Palace with the gates still closed. When these began to open very slowly, the Mouse jumped through the crack and was the first to reach the Emperor.

But this feat still doesn't guarantee his place. Then, when all the animals were lined up, the shrewd Rat, who was afraid of going unnoticed among the others, jumped onto the Ox's back and began to play the flute. The Emperor was so delighted that he awarded him first place. Thanks to his audacity and ingenuity, the Rat became the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac.

Dates of the Rat Sign

The Chinese Zodiac is associated with the way time is measured by traditional Chinese culture, that is, in 60-year cycles. This calendar results from the multiplication of the twelve animals and the five elements. This cycle is very important and makes each one of the 60 years a special and unique period.

Each animal governs, in rotation, a given year, in a continuous 12-year cycle that starts with the Rat and ends with the Pig. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, one of the 12 animals takes its place for that year. In addition to characterizing people born during that year, the animal also influences the attributes of the year - which affects us all. The years governed by the sign Rat are as follows:

  • January 24 1936 to February 10 1937 - Fire Mouse
  • February 10 1948 to January 28 1949 - Earth Rat
  • January 28 1960 to February 14 1961 - Metal Rat
  • February 02 1984 to February 19 1985 - Wood Rat
  • February 19 1996 to February 06 1997 - Fire Rat
  • February 07 2008 to January 25 2009 - Earth Rat
  • January 25 2020 to February 11 2021 - Metal Mouse

The Personality of the Native of Rat

SMART AND PRACTICAL

The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac and has powerful qualities linked to peace and reflection. The personality of this native is creative, active, insightful, ingenious and intelligent, but not courageous.

In unexpected situations, you have the ingenuity to assess your potential and quickly put your ideas into practice. It is tenacious and ambitious but must be careful not to be tempted to impose its will on others.

Rat's personality is ambitious, and when it gets involved and believes in the success of its ideas, it's not easy to dissuade. They work hard to carry out their plans and weigh all the possibilities very well. Its planning ability allows it to manage risky situations well and quickly adapt to the unforeseen.

Communicative and sociable, Rat can identify the humor in a situation and is generous with the praise it gives to colleagues and friends. When it feels that is not being appreciated, it may have more petty and threatening behavior. It appreciates the freedom of movement and independence. They need to have the autonomy to make their own decisions and follow their life purpose.

In Chinese culture, Rats represent hardworking people, and therefore, anyone born in a year managed by this animal is considered rich and prosperous.

Love and Relationships

In love, the native of the sign Rat gives itself with an open heart and is not afraid to reveal its feelings. It makes every effort to please its partner and likes to take the initiative when it comes to seduction. They are naturally loyal, but you have to keep them interested. They love romantic surprises and don't get along in monotonous, routine relationships. Very sensitive, this native is easily hurt and, as a result, can become a reactive and uncooperative person.

  • Signs more compatible with Rat - Rat, Ox, Dragon, Monkey, Dog, Pig
  • Signs less compatible with Rat - Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster

Rat Sign Compatibilities

Chinese Astrology understands that certain combinations of Zodiac animals do better than others and that some signs are naturally antagonistic and therefore have a disharmonious relationship.

The compatibility between animals in the Chinese Horoscope takes into account the characteristics of each animal. Those whose characteristics match each other well and may tend to have good compatibility. The opposite is equally valid.

Rat with...
RatA good combination. They get along well together in business and in relationships. Both need a lot of attention and are capable of giving a lot in return.
OxBalanced and harmonious relationship. The Ox is a good listener and the Rat knows how to entertain it.
TigerStormy relationship. Both have difficulty hearing the other party.
RabbitIt's not a good combination: the Rat likes to be controlled and the Rabbit doesn't like to be controlled.
DragonGood relationship. They manage to support each other and give attention to each other.
SnakeRelationships are dominated by jealousy and distrust. The Snake is too mysterious for the Rat.
HorseIf both listen to each other, the relationship has the potential to develop.
GoatIf the Goat lets the Rat control it, it could work.
MonkeyA positive relationship, although both signs are more committed to starting things than finishing them.
RoosterDifficult relationship because they both like to command. Unless one gives in, conflict is almost certain.
DogThey make a good team. The Dog is loyal and doesn't mind being led by the Rat.
PigWhat the Rat gets the Pig spends. If you both live well with it, it could work.

The Rat Sign and the Career

The native of the sign Rat has an energetic and versatile vision of the business world. It can quickly adapt to change and manage unforeseen events with common sense, which allows it to avoid unnecessary problems. As it is cautious and meticulous, it tends to show a serious and demanding attitude towards its work.

This native is a shrewd strategist and can manage information within his team efficiently, with a view to maintaining everyone's confidence in his decisions. When it feels that its colleagues are not pushing as hard as it wants or that its performance is below expectations, it is not shy about attracting attention, adopting critical and impatient behavior.

Best Careers - Sales, Accounting, Small Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Writer, Musician, Comedian, Politician, Lawyer, Investigator and Driver, Outdoor Instructor.

The Rat Sign and Health

In general, the natives of the sign Rat are healthy and physically resistant people. This native is very active and full of energy, which helps it to stay physically fit and avoid illness. Like everyone else, it also benefits from a balanced diet and regular exercise. Its optimistic and resourceful nature makes it relatively easy to manage pressure and stressful situations.

The Five Kinds of Rat

In the Chinese astrological system, each sign of the zodiac is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. For example, a Wood Rat appears once in the 60-year cycle. A person's personality characteristics are influenced by various influences, including the sign and element of the year of birth. Thus, there are five types of Rats, each with its own characteristics:

Wood Rat

Characterization - Sustainment, Creativity, Growth

This is the least dynamic of the five types of Rats. Though hardworking and successful, it can be indecisive and given to worry. Has an independent, self-confident, virtuous and talented spirit. Works well in a team.

Fire Rat

Characterization - Passion, Intelligence, Movement

This Rat has the presence of mind and truly surrenders to its passions. They have a penchant for business and the energy and enthusiasm to fight for their goals and vision. They manage to be very strict with themselves and somewhat restless, which can cause them some discomfort.

Earth Rat

Characterization - Balance, Reliability, Consolidation

Flexible, prudent and serious, this type of Rat likes practical problems with practical solutions. Despite being a successful personality and with a strong sense of self-esteem, you need to strive to reach your goals. His spirit is gifted with numbers and calculations, and can excel in areas such as accounting or financial consulting.

Metal Rat

Characterization - Usefulness, Strength, Reliability

Strong, talented, temperamental and fixed-minded, this type of Rat makes up for his stubbornness with a huge workforce. Ambitious, efficient with a great ability to finish whatever it gets involved with.

Water Rat

Characterization - Communication, Sensitivity, Intuition

Intuitive and adventurous, this type of Rat likes to travel, but once it reaches a safe haven, it settles down and stays there. The Water Rat is creative, a good diplomat and enjoys activities related to the Letters.

Chinese Zodiac Signs

  • Rat - Quick-witted, Versatile, Kind
  • Ox - Diligent, Dependable, Determined
  • Tiger - Resourceful, Versatile, Kind
  • Rabbit - Intuitive, Kind, Responsible
  • Dragon - Confident, Independent, Enthusiastic
  • Snake - Enigmatic, Intelligent, Wise
  • Horse - Animated, Active, Energetic
  • Goat - Calm, Gentle, Adaptable
  • Monkey - Sharp, Fun, Curious
  • Rooster - Protector, Hardworking, Courageous
  • Dog - Lovely, Honest, Prudent
  • Pig - Sensual, Generous, Diligent