The twelve Chinese zodiac signs are the twelve animals in China that match the twelve Earthly Branches with the year of a person’s birth, including the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. For over 1000 years, the Chinese Zodiac has been used to interpret personality traits, and horoscope of wealth, relationship and health.
What does the Rat mean in Chinese zodiac? The first of the twelve zodiac signs, the rat is small, agile, energetic, flexible and charming. This article will guide you through everything about the Chinese zodiac rat, including the Chinese zodiac years of the Rat, its personality, and Rat’s horoscope in 2025. See what will happen to you this year!
Overview of the Chinese Zodiac Rat
Liu Zongyuan, a writer in the Tang Dynasty, wrote a fable about a man born in the year of the Rat, “The rat is the god of the Zi (rate) year, because he loves the rat.” Another example, similar to Liu Zongyuan’s fable, describes that “in Yancheng, there were people surnamed He who thought that they were born to be rats, so they didn’t keep cats. And when they saw rats, they often forbade others to catch them. After a long time, rats jumped in and out of the house without fear.”
The Rat is the Symbol of Spirituality, both in terms of its resourcefulness and its psychic performance
The rat has a sensitive sense of smell, is timid and suspicious, is highly vigilant, and has a very dexterous body. People in China often use the phrase “smarter than a rat” to describe someone’s shrewdness and resourcefulness.
Chinese people also believe that rats are psychic and can foretell good and bad luck and disasters. The rat reacts to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, locusts, etc.
The Rat Symbolises a Strong Life Force
On the one hand, it is highly fertile. A female rat can give birth to about 5,000 children a year, and the number of grandchildren, granddaughters, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren is too many to count.
On the other hand, rats have a high survival rate and a long lifespan. If they do not meet the attack of their natural enemy, the cat, or the large-scale extermination of human beings, most of them can enjoy their old age peacefully and have a large number of children and grandchildren, which is unattainable for other animals.
What Years Are the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac？
Recent years of Chinese zodiac Rat include 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032, 2044. To understand better the personality of the Rat, you also need to know the corresponding element of the year.
| Rat Years | Beginning and Ending Dates | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| 2032 | February 11, 2032 to January 30, 2033 | Water Rat |
| 2020 | January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021 | Metal (Gold) Rat |
| 2008 | February 7, 2008 to January 25, 2009 | Earth Rat |
| 1996 | February 19, 1996 to February 6, 1997 | Fire Rat |
| 1984 | February 2, 1984 to February 19, 1985 | Wood Rat |
| 1972 | February 15, 1972 to February 2, 1973 | Water Rat |
| 1960 | January 28, 1960 to February 14, 1961 | Metal (Gold) Rat |
| 1948 | February 10, 1948 to January 28, 1949 | Earth Rat |
| 1936 | January 24, 1936 to February. 10, 1937 | Fire Rat |
| 1924 | February 5, 1924 to January 23, 1925 | Wood Rat |
Chinese Zodiac Rat’s Personality
What is a zodiac Rat person like? It is a bit like the Western astrology, a Rat has a set of unique personality traits that make you stand out from zodiac animals. Here are some of the most prominent traits of the Chinese Zodiac – Rat:
Rats are Smart and Generous
Rat people are smart, honest and very easy to get along with, so they are very popular. Rat is one of the most popular animal of Chinese zodiac. They also work hard and live frugally, Despite that, they are generous to their family and friends.
They are Sociable with Positive Attitude
The Rat may look to be a quiet person for the first impression, but this is not true. They are actually outgoing, positive and have very good social skills. In social situations, Rat people always make the atmosphere lively and everyone happy.
Also Known as Hardworking and Adaptable
Rat people can adapt to various environments and are good at making friends from all walks of life. So even if they have to change jobs or go to unfamiliar countries or places, they can quickly adjust themselves and adapt to the new environment and new people.
They are usually hardworking, responsible for both job and family. With patience and perseverance, they are not give up easily and able to keep moving towards their goals.
They are frank, honest, gentle, but fussy.
The Rat is frank, cheerful and optimistic. No matter how dangerous the environment will not be demoralised, they always laugh and positive at the difficulties of life. Moreover, the Rat’s temperament is relatively mild and peaceful, whether to family or friends are rarely angry.
However, because of their own diligence and meticulous attitude towards things, they also often use this standard to demand others, and will become a bit critical. Overall, however, the Rat is still the best of the twelve zodiac signs to get along with.
Love and Relationships of the Rat: Which Zodiac Animals are Compatible with You?
Rat people have excellent relations with the opposite sex, but they are also prone to get into affairs as a result.
Rat males are near-perfect in their family life, and will sacrifice themselves so that they can try to be a good husband and father.
The Rat female may be capricious and likes to daydream and pursue illusory love. Remember that a relationship should be free and equal.
Rats’ Love Compatibility
Most Compatible: Ox, Monkey, Dragon
Least Compatible: Rabbit, Horse, Rooster
Chinese Zodiac Rat’s Career and Wealth
The Rat is very hard-working and has good financial luck, and rarely encounters money troubles in his life. However, due to their soft heart, they are easily cheated by bad people. In addition, they are not good at managing money. Although they are prone to wastefulness when they are young, they will get better after marriage.
It is advisable for Rat people not to partner with friends to do business or invest in their relatives’ companies. Too much money entanglements will not only damage the friendship, but also make you suffer from financial deficits.
Some of the best careers for Rats:
- Entrepreneurship
- Law
- Politics
- Finance
- Technology
Lucky and Unlucky Things for the Chinese Zodiac Rat
Things to Bring the Rat Good Luck Everyday
- Lucky colors: blue, green, and gold
- Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 6, and any numbers with 2, 3, and 6, e.g. 26.
- Lucky directions: the west, the east, and the southwest
- Lucky Flowers: lily, violet, orchid
Things to Avoid
- Unlucky color: pink, yellow, brown
- Unlucky numbers: 5 and 0
- Unlucky direction: the south and the southeast
2025 Horoscope for Chinese Zodiac Rat
The year 2025 for the zodiac Rat is relatively smooth overall, but you need to pay attention to health concerns. Especially avoid mood swings. The Rat will be able to get relatively good opportunities in terms of career. Overall financial luck is also pretty good, and you may get a promotion and a pay rise. Relationships are relatively stable overall. Single people have the opportunity to meet a good candidate. Couples in love this year may have the idea of marriage
-
Career for the Rats in 2025
The Rat’s career will progress positively in 2025. In previous years, because of the impact of the Tai Sui, you missed many good opportunities in career. But in 2025 can get the help of the auspicious stars. At the beginning of the year, you need to make preparations in advance. The outside world will be watching the rat in the management position, so be mindful of your own words and actions and refrain from bullying others in positions of authority. Maintaining a modest and low profile is advised.
-
Wealth for the Rats in 2025
The Chinese zodiac sign Rat will remain financially stable in 2025. It is recommended to set aside a large amount of money each month as a savings fund, excluding necessary and unexpected expenses. You must strive hard and upward under the auspicious skies since greater effort equals more profit.
-
Love and Relationships for the Rats in 2025
Both single and partnered Rat people have better relationships in 2025. Single Rat people are very likely to meet someone they like in 2025. Be proactive and confess your love.
Those who are in love may want to take their relationship further, possibly to get engaged or married. For married Rat people, it is advisable to inform your partner as early as possible if there is something important that you need to tell them. Don’t deliberately hide anything from your partner.
-
Health for the Rats in 2025
Rat people need to take some pre-existing health problems seriously，such as fatigue at work or insomnia at night. It is recommended that Rats follow a normal routine, eat a well-balanced diet, and stay optimistic and positive. Take time to read, walk, exercise, yoga, hike, and travel.
Why the Rat is the First Sign in Chinese Zodiac?
Legend has it that one day the Jade Emperor in heaven wanted to rank the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac and settled on Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Cat. The Jade Emperor asked them to come the next day to rank them.
At that time, the cat and the rat were good friends. The cat said to the rat, “Tomorrow you have to wake me up early, I am one of the twelve zodiac signs, and tomorrow I am going up to heaven.” The rat agreed.The next day, the rat woke up very early, but he did not wake up the cat, and went up to the sky himself. The Jade Emperor arranged the twelve Chinese zodiac signs in the order of Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Cat. The Jade Emperor asked the animals if they had any different opinions. Then the rat said, “I don’t think we should choose the cat, he doesn’t respect you at all. You see, he is still sleeping now, and he doesn’t give a damn about you wanting to arrange the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.” The Jade Emperor took a look and the cat was really sleeping! He was furious and decided that the cat would never be allowed to go up to heaven again.
In the meantime, he asked the rat to take the cat’s place. The rat spoke again, “I must come first!” “Why? Have you contributed more than the cow!” The mouse said, “People think I’m bigger than the ox.” The Jade Emperor had no choice but to let the people judge.
The people on the earth said, “Heh! What a big ox!” But, later they saw the rat standing on the ox’s head and all said, “What a big rat! It’s even bigger than the ox!” The Jade Emperor therefore had to make the rat the first sign of the Chinese zodiac.
