ABOUT
Pinyin: Shǔ
鼠
Earthly Branch: Zǐ
子
Element: Water
Energy: Yang
Chinese Hour: 11pm-1am
Position: The 1st of the 12 animal signs
The rat is an important animal in Chinese culture. It is
seen as smart, clever, and able to adapt well. In stories, the rat is known for
its intelligence and ability to solve problems. People believe that wearing
things with rat pictures can bring good luck and success.
People born in the Year of the Rat are thought to be witty,
charming, and ambitious. They are quick thinkers and good at solving problems.
They are full of energy, careful in their thoughts, and can easily adjust to
different situations.
Why is the Rat the first zodiac sign?
In ancient Chinese culture, rats were seen more positively
than today. Because rats have many babies at once, they became symbols of
fertility and growing families. When people wanted more children and a strong
family, rats were admired for this. This helped rats become part of the zodiac.
There is a famous story about how the Rat became the first
zodiac animal. The Jade Emperor held a race to choose twelve animals. The
clever rat knew the Ox would be slow but steady, so it hid on the Ox’s horn
during the race. When the Ox reached the finish line first, the Rat jumped
ahead and finished before the Ox. The Jade Emperor was impressed and made the
Rat the first zodiac animal.
Another idea comes from how ancient Chinese divided the day into twelve time periods. The first period, from 11 PM to 1 AM, is when rats are most active. Because this time marks the start of a new day, rats were placed first in the zodiac.
RAT YEARS
When is the Year of the Rat?
The Rat is the first sign in the Chinese zodiac, which follows a 12-year cycle. Rat years include:
1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032, and so on.
The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar, so it aligns with Chinese New Year—not the regular (Gregorian) calendar. Chinese New Year usually falls between late January and mid-February.
If you were born in a Rat year, your zodiac sign is likely the Rat. However, if your birthday is in January or February, your sign might actually be the Pig (from the previous year) or the Ox (from the following year). To be sure, use a Chinese zodiac calculator available online.
FIVE ELEMENTS
Rat Zodiac and the Five Elements
In Chinese culture, each year not only has a zodiac animal (like the Rat), but also one of Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. This creates different types of Rats, and each type has its own personality.
A Rat with a certain element only comes once every 60 years.
Your personality is believed to be shaped by both your zodiac sign and your
element.
Here are the 5 Types of Rats and their general traits:
Metal Rat: Smart, talented, but may be hot-tempered and
jealous; very aware of themselves.
Water Rat: Talkative, clever, cautious, and wise.
Wood Rat: Independent, confident, kind, talented, and
good at working in a team.
Fire Rat: Energetic, brave, quiet, friendly to friends, but
very strict with themselves.
Earth Rat: Friendly, honest, flexible, modest, serious, and has strong self-respect.
PERSONALITY
Understanding the Rat Zodiac Sign
People born in the Year of the Rat are naturally well-behaved and have fun, quirky personalities. They are full of energy and often try hard to get others’ approval. Rats can be mysterious because they keep their secrets and watch others closely, adjusting how they act. This makes them good team players, not selfish.
Rats enjoy being around people and can feel lonely when alone. They are friendly and easy to make friends with, even though they can be a bit private or shy. They tend to be careful with money and like to save, sometimes even hoard. If they control this habit, they can have a steady and successful life.
Rats are smart, quick-thinking, and good at solving problems. Their cheerful and optimistic nature helps them adapt to new situations and get support from others. They are social and strong-willed, enjoying group activities and valuing security in life, which influences their choices in love and work.
Although Rats are ambitious, they might not always make great leaders because they can be stubborn and lack empathy or humility. Overall, Rats are lively, observant, and good at making friends, even if they like to keep some things private.
Strengths of the Rat
Rats are the sharp observers of the zodiac, always catching details and spotting opportunities others miss. They’re super adaptable, able to vibe with new places and situations easily. Social by nature, they’re cheerful, friendly, and love being around people. When it comes to money, Rats are frugal and smart savers, building stability and success over time. Their ambition and hard work pay off, since they know how to use resources wisely. Careful and watchful, they avoid reckless risks, and this cautious grind helps them succeed—even if they start from scratch.
Weaknesses of the Rat
Rats may be sharp, but their timid side can hold them back—they shy away from risks and sometimes miss bigger opportunities. Their stubborn pride can make them tough leaders, and their cautious nature often slips into suspicion or short‑sightedness. When they feel insecure, they might act selfish even though they’re naturally kind. They also tend to zoom in on tiny details and lose sight of the bigger picture. For Rats, the real glow‑up comes from focusing on their own growth instead of comparing themselves to others.
Men Born in the Year of the Rat
Rat men are quick thinkers with good memories. They are
curious, love learning, and like to explore new things. They usually stick to
their opinions but don’t always take action on them. Family is very important
to them.
They are hardworking and have a positive attitude. They
don’t like lazy or careless people. Rat men are often kind and pay attention to
others, which makes them caring partners.
Most Rat men are gentle, but sometimes they can be moody or rude. This usually shows they are upset inside. A loving partner can help calm them down.
Women Born in the Year of the Rat
Rat women are smart and know how to read people’s moods.
They use their strengths well and hide their weak points. They are thoughtful
and take good care of their families, though they may find it hard to deal with
stress.
They are flexible, cheerful, and put a lot of energy into
keeping their homes nice and happy. Their warm personality makes them great
partners.
As wives and mothers, they give a lot of love and create a stable home. At work, they are reliable team members, even if they aren’t always natural leaders.
CAREER
Rats are smart, observant, and careful. They have good
judgment and can often avoid problems before they happen. They take their work
seriously and pay attention to details.
Rats like some freedom at work and prefer jobs where they
can work independently. But they also need to learn how to work well with
others.
Because they are creative and notice small things, Rats
often enjoy jobs like writing, photography, or anything that lets them express
their ideas clearly.
Even though some famous people born in Rat years work in politics or the military, most Rats don’t like strict rules or hierarchies, so these jobs usually don’t suit them.
Suitable career for Rat
- Researcher
- Doctor
or nurse
- Writer
- Accountant
- Photographer
Unsuitable career for Rat
- Politician
- Corporate
analyst
- Military
- Police
officer
- Lawyer
COMPATIBILITY
Love and Compatibility for Rat Zodiac
Rats are caring, honest, and attentive partners. They take a strong interest in their loved ones and are usually loyal and affectionate. While they can sometimes be a little vain, they mostly bring warmth and joy to their relationships—even with signs that aren’t a perfect match. Gentle and sincere, Rats seek meaningful connections and look for partners who complement their careful nature and value their loyalty.
Best Matches for Rats
Rat & Ox
Rats and Oxen balance each other well. They work together smoothly at home and on the job.
Rat & Dragon
They make a strong team. The Dragon leads and makes big decisions, while the Rat handles details.
Rat & Monkey
Worst Matches for Rats
Rat & Horse
Rats are planners, but Horses are impulsive. They often argue and have very different ways of thinking.
Rat & Goat
Rats are cautious, and Goats are sensitive. This pairing often leads to jealousy, complaints, and misunderstandings.
Rat & Rooster
In love: Caring, observant, and serious about their relationships.
Each zodiac sign has its own traits, so finding a good match depends on how well those traits work together.
You can check your compatibility using an online Chinese zodiac calculator or use this link as a helpful guide.
Note: Compatibility isn’t determined solely by your zodiac sign—it also depends on the effort you put into the relationship.
How to Get Along with Rat People
Rats are social and like meeting new people. They enjoy
going to different events and making friends. However, they don’t always build
deep or long-lasting friendships.
They often seem charming and attract others easily.
In love, Rats can start relationships quickly, but they may also end them just as fast. This can sometimes lead to problems with trust or staying loyal.
HEALTH
Rats often live long lives but can get tired easily because they work hard. They may have small health problems like stomach issues, allergies, or frequent colds.
To stay healthy, Rats should take good care of themselves by eating well, sleeping regularly, and dressing properly for the weather.
People born in the Year of the Rat usually have weaker immune systems from childhood, so they catch colds and minor illnesses more often. They are sensitive to changes in temperature and should watch the weather and dress accordingly. It’s also best for Rats to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Despite feeling tired sometimes and having minor health issues, Rats can expect to live long lives. They should be careful with their health by keeping a good diet, regular sleep, and protecting themselves from weather changes.
FAMOUS RAT YEAR PEOPLE
Many celebrities share your Rat zodiac, and they’re often well-liked for their unique and quirky charm.
- Elizabeth The Queen Mother: Aug 4, 1900 (the mother of Queen Elizabeth II)
- Oscar Williams: Dec 29, 1900 (Poet)
- Diego Maradona: Oct 30, 1960 (Footballer)
- Bono: May 10, 1960 (Singer & Musician)
- Hugh Grant: Sep 9, 1960 (Actor)
- Pope John Paul I: Oct 17, 1912
- Gene Kelly: Aug 23, 1912 (Actor)
- Dwayne Johnson: May 2, 1972 (Actor)
- Eminem: Oct 17, 1972 (Singer)
- George Bush: June 12, 1924 (43rd President of USA)
- Katy Perry: Oct 25, 1984 (Singer)
- Scarlett Johansson: Nov 22, 1984 (Actress)
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Feb 5, 1985 (Footballer)
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Dec 25, 1876 (The Founder of Pakistan)
- Pope Francis: Dec 17, 1936
- Robert Redford: Aug 18, 1936 (Actor)
- Tom Holland: June 1, 1996 (Actor)
- Zendaya: Sep 1, 1996 (Actress)
- Leo Tolstoy: Aug 28, 1828 (Novelist)
- TE Lawrence @ Lawrence of Arabia: Aug 16, 1888 (Archaeologist & War Hero)
- King Charles III of England: Nov 14, 1948