The Rat Sign in Chinese Astrology: Dates and Personality

    The Rat is one of the animals of the 12-year cycle of the Zodiac of Chinese Astrology. Know the dates, personality characteristics, and related to other Chinese Signs.

    The Rat sign is the first in the Chinese horoscope. Cheerful and diligent, the personality of this sign is dominated by optimism and the positive way in which it goes through life. He has a reputation for looking out for himself first and then for others, but he takes good care of his family and does not like to be away from them for a long time. The Chinese Zodiac is made up 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.

    Characteristics of the Rat Sign

    • Symbol - ?¼ 
    • Element - Water
    • Ruling Planet - Mercury
    • Hours - 23h-01h (midnight hours)
    • Month - December
    • Station - Winter
    • Color - Black, a color associated with honor, dignity, and success in the face of difficulties
    • Orientation - North, Orientation is associated with the last hours of the day and the first hours of the morning. The north is associated with the peak of winter when the Yin is at its peak.
    • Yin / Yang polarity - Yang, element that suggests extroverted, expansive, enthusiastic, expressive, and communicative behaviors
    • Attributes - Intelligent, practical, passionate, selfish, sentimental, creative, problem solver, imaginative, hyperactive worker, active, intelligent, fearless, cunning, sensitive, versatile, energetic, critical, impatient
    • Lucky Days - 4th and 13th of every Chinese lunar month
    • Lucky Months - 2nd, 5th, and 9th Chinese lunar months
    • Lucky Numbers - 2, 3 and the numbers that contain them (such as 23 and 32)
    • Wrong Luck Numbers - 5, 9
    • Highest Affinity - Rat, Ox, Dragon, Monkey, Dog, Pig
    • Lesser Affinity - Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster
    • Corresponding Western Sign - Sagittarius

    The Rat Sign in Mythology

    There are several legends and stories about the animals chosen to make up the Chinese astrological system. One of these legends refers to the intention of the Jade Emperor to know the animals that inhabited the Earth. He decided that some of them should be brought before him. To facilitate the selection, the Emperor defined two criteria: they would have to be valuable animals for Man or be one of the first to arrive at the Celestial Palace on the day of the election of the animals. The Rat was eager to enter into the initial choice of animals but was aware of their little use to man. Thus, he only had to resort to his cunning to be the first to reach the Palace. Knowing the character of the Ox, he calculated that this would be one of the first animals to arrive. Early in the morning, on the agreed day, the Rat jumped on the horns of the Ox and arrived at the Palace while the doors were still closed. When these began to open very slowly, the Rat leaped through the gap and was the first to reach the presence of the Emperor. But this feat still did not guarantee his place. Then, when all the animals were lined up, the perceptive Rat, who was afraid of being unnoticed by the others, jumped on the Ox's back and began to play the flute. The Emperor was so delighted that he gave it first place. Thanks to his boldness and ingenuity, the Rat became the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac.

    Rat Sign Dates

    The Chinese Zodiac is associated with the way that traditional Chinese culture measures time, that is, in 60-year cycles. This calendar results from the multiplication of the twelve animals and the five elements. This cycle is essential and makes each of the 60 years a special and unique period. Each animal rotates for a given year in a continuous 12-year cycle that begins 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 defining the people born during that year, the animal also influences the attributes of the year, which affects us all. The years governed by the sign of the Rat are the following:
    • January 24, 1936, to February 10, 1937 - Fire Rat
    • February 10, 1948, to January 28, 1949 - Earth Rat
    • January 28, 1960, to February 14, 1961 - Metal Rat
    • February 15, 1972, to February 2, 1973 - Water Rat
    • February 2, 1984, to February 19, 1985 - Wood Rat
    • February 19, 1996, to February 6, 1997 - Fire Rat
    • February 7, 2008, to January 25, 2009 - Earth Rat
    • January 25, 2020, to February 11, 2021 - Metal Rat

    Rat Native Personality

    INTELLIGENT AND PRACTICAL The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac and has powerful qualities related to peace and reflection. The personality of this native is creative, active, insightful, resourceful, and intelligent, but not very brave. In unexpected situations, you have the ingenuity to assess your potential and quickly put your ideas into practice. You are tenacious and ambitious, but you must be careful not to be tempted to impose your will on others. Your planning skills allow you to manage risk situations well and adapt quickly to unforeseen events. The Rat personality is ambitious, and when he gets involved and believes in the success of his ideas, it is not easy to make him give up. He works hard to achieve his plans and thinks very well about all the possibilities. Communicative and sociable, the Rat is able to identify humor in a situation and is generous with the compliments it gives to colleagues and friends. When you feel unappreciated, you can be more petty and threatening. Enjoy when you have freedom of movement and independence. It would be best if you had the autonomy to make your own decisions and follow your life purpose. In Chinese culture, Rats represent hardworkingly and fighting people. Therefore, whoever is born in a year ruled by this animal is considered rich and prosperous.

    Love and Relationships

    In love, the native of the Rat sign gives himself an open heart and is not afraid to reveal his feelings. She goes out of her way to please her partner and likes to be proactive regarding seduction. They are faithful by nature, but you have to keep them interested. They love romantic surprises and do not do well in monotonous, routine relationships. Very sensitive, this native is easily injured and can become reactive and uncooperative as a result.
    • Signs most compatible with the Rat - Rat, Ox, Dragon, Monkey, Dog, Pig
    • Signs less compatible with the Rat - Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster.

    Rat Sign Compatibilities

    The Chinese astrology understood that certain combinations of animals in the Zodiac work better than others. Some signs are naturally antagonistic and, therefore, have a discordant relationship. The compatibility between the animals of the Chinese horoscope considers the characteristics of each of the animalsჴ€”those whose characteristics match each other well and tend to have good compatibility. The opposite is equally valid.

    The Rat Sign and the Race

    The native of the Rat sign has an energetic and versatile vision of the business world. You can adapt quickly to change and manage unforeseen sensibly, helping you avoid unnecessary problems. Being cautious and meticulous, he tends to show a severe and demanding attitude towards work. This native is a great strategist and can manage information within his team efficiently to maintain everyone's confidence in his decisions. When he considers that colleagues are not trying as hard as he wants or that performance is below expectations, he does not inhibit himself from attracting attention, adopting critical and impatient behavior. Best Careers: Sales, Accounting, Small Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster, Writer, Musician, Comedian, Politician, Lawyer, Researcher and Driver, Outdoor Activities Instructor.

    The Rat Sign and Health

    In general, the natives of the Rat sign are healthy and physically resistant people. This native is very active and full of energy, which helps him maintain good physical shape and avoid diseases. His optimistic and resourceful nature allows him to handle pressure and stressful situations with relative ease. Like everyone else, you also benefit from a balanced diet and regular exercise.

    The Five Kinds of Rats

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

    Wood Rat

    Characterization - Sustainability, Creativity, Growth This is the least dynamic of the five types of rats. Although hard-working and successful, you can be indecisive and preoccupied. He has an independent, self-assured, virtuous and talented spirit. Work well as a team.

    Fire Rat

    Characterization - Passion, Intelligence, Movement This Rat has a presence of spirit and truly indulges in his passions. He has the business savvy and the energy, and the enthusiasm to fight for his goals and vision. He manages to be very strict with himself and somewhat restless, which can cause some discomfort.

    Earth rat

    Characterization - Balance, Reliability, Consolidation Flexible, cautious, and severe, this type of Rat likes practical solutions to practical problems. Despite being a successful personality and with a strong sense of self-worth, you must strive to achieve your goals. His mind is gifted for numbers and calculations, being able to excel in areas such as accounting or financial consulting.

    Metal Rat

    Characterization - Utility, Strength, Reliability This type of Rat is strong, talented, temperamental, and fixed-minded; this type of Rat makes up for his stubbornness with a vast workforce. She is ambitious, efficient, and with a great capacity to finish everything she engages in.

    Water rat

    Characterization - Communication, Sensitivity, Intuition Intuitive and adventurous, this type of Rat likes to travel, but once he reaches a safe haven, he settles in and stays there. The Water Rat is creative, diplomatic, and appreciates activities related to Letters.

    Chinese Horoscope Signs