Year of the Rat

Rat is the 1st animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, coming after the Pig and before the Ox. Recent years of the Rat include 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, and 1948, with the next Rat year in 2032 (Year of the Water Rat). It corresponds with the first branch of the earthly branch symbol zi.

Rats are cheerful, sociable, and tenacious people, who thrive as part of a group. This intuitive, versatile, and quick-witted zodiac values security in all areas of life, which affects their choices in love and career.

Chinese Zodiac Years for Rat

Derived from the Chinese lunar calendar (like many things in Chinese culture), the Chinese zodiac cycle corresponds more with China’s lunar New Year than with the Gregorian calendar.

When determining your zodiac animal sign, pay attention to the start of the Chinese New Year on the Chinese calendar. This is especially necessary if you were born in the lunar months of January or February, as you might be the animal from the previous year (see the chart below).

Chart of Years, Dates, and Elements for Rat Zodiac Signs

Personality Traits of Rat Signs

In Chinese astrology, people born in the years of the Rat are well-behaved by nature and have fun and quirky personalities. They exude superb energy in life and do what they can to garner approval from others—even if misplaced.

Rat personalities also tend to exude a sense of mystery, hoarding their own secrets while observing others and adjusting how they behave. Their mystery is strategic, not selfish, so they would make great team players.

Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life.

In terms of social personality traits, Rats love being in a group and may feel lonely when they’re on their own. They are friendly and easy-going, finding it easy to make friends despite a slight inclination to secrecy and introversion.

In terms of lifestyle, Rats are frugal with a tendency to save—even to hoard. As long as they learn to withstand temptations in this area, their life will turn out quite steady and prosperous.

Rat Strengths

In general, Rats are alert and sharp observers. They are especially great at being aware of their situations in life, always on the lookout for any opportunities that may not be readily visible to others.

They are naturally cautious, moving tentatively and ready to retreat at any sign of danger. Being risk-averse, as well as being conscientious at work, lead Rats to success, even if they come from humble beginnings.

Rat Weaknesses

In terms of weaknesses, the Rat can be timid and suspicious. They’re prone to short-sightedness for this reason and may lack a high-level understanding of a given situation, often missing the forest for the trees.

Rats are kind by nature but may come off as selfish when they feel insecure about their station in life. They’re advised to concentrate on improving their own lot instead of comparing themselves to others.

Rat Zodiacs and the Five Elements Theory

The Chinese Five Elements Theory assigns one of the five elements—Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth—to each year, in addition to the zodiacs. So Rats born in different years will have different personalities.

Lucky (and Unlucky) Things for Rats

The colors blue and gold, the numbers 2 and 3, and the direction east are auspicious and bring good luck for Rats. Yellow, brown, 5, 9, and cats are inauspicious and should be avoided if possible.

Your Ben Ming Nian, or Chinese zodiac birth year, is considered unlucky as well, so be prepared to wear the color red throughout the Year of the Rat to help ward off the possible bad fortune (the next Rat year isn’t until 2032).

Lucky Things

• Lucky numbers: 2, 3

• Lucky colors: Blue, Gold

• Lucky directions: East

• Lucky flowers: Lily, African Violet, Orchid

Unlucky Things

• Unlucky numbers: 5, 9

• Unlucky colors: Yellow, Brown

• Unlucky directions: West, Southwest

Love and Compatibility for Rats

In matters of the heart, Rats are soft-spoken, frank, and intuitive. They are eager and capable partners, although they can be very vain at times—thankfully, a rare occurrence that doesn’t spoil the total package.

They’re attentive to the object of their desire and will show intense interest in getting to know the other person. Being in a relationship with them is never boring and will likely involve mutual affection, even for less traditionally compatible animals like the Rooster or Snake.

❤️ Best Match: Rat and Dragon

Rat and Dragon may appear diametrically opposed to some, with the Rat being a careful workhorse and the Dragon, a magnanimous leader. But, in fact, those are the very traits that make them complement each other, leading to a surprisingly good relationship.

This love compatibility is at its best when the Dragon leads at a high level, making the bigger decisions the Rat struggles with, while the Rat takes care of the details that the Dragon will likely overlook.

❤️ Best Match: Rat and Monkey

This is a relationship based on mutual admiration and a craving for the same type of lifestyle. Both zodiacs value a quick wit and a propensity to abundance, which they’ll find in spades in their partner.

On top of that, the Rat will appreciate the Monkey’s extra logical mind, which they lack themselves, while the Rat seems the one capable of inspiring the usually self-centered Monkey to be a team player.

❤️ Best Match: Rat and Ox

The Rat and the Ox are neighbors on the list of zodiacs, and they are more similar than different. Both are risk-averse and don’t mind toiling away for years to build the life they want.

Now that tenacity will be more than doubled. As neither will say, “I did the dishes last night; it’s your turn,” this giving quality will only encourage their partner to contribute even more love.

Worst Matches: Horse, Goat

Rat and Horse: These two Chinese zodiac signs clash naturally because Rats absolutely need to plan for the future, while Horses are passionate and impulsive. The way each thinks and behaves is very different.

When two people with such divergent personalities come together in a relationship, the result can be disastrous since they’ll rarely see eye to eye, making each other’s life rather difficult until they split.

Rat and Goat: The Rat is suspicious, while the Goat can be jealous. Rather than making each partner want to give the other more reassurance, these traits seem to only lead to clashes.

When together, this partnership is characterized by complaints from the Goat and a list of resentments from the Rat, neither of which spell marital bliss for the couple!

Careers fit for the Chinese Zodiac Rat

People born in the years of the Rat prefer to have a certain degree of freedom at work. Independent careers will be more suitable, but even then, Rats will need to learn to adapt to others.

As keen observers, Rats may enjoy creative disciplines like writing, photography, or anything that showcases their unique understanding of life, which will allow them to put forth their ideas in a systematic way.

Although many public figures were born in years of the Rat, this group is extremely unsuited for a career in politics or the military, as they’ll find these career paths too hierarchical for their liking.

Best Careers for Rats

• Academic researcher

• Healthcare professional

• Writer

• Accountant

• Photographer

Worst Careers for Rats

• Politician

• Corporate analyst

• Military

• Police

• Lawyer

Health and Lifestyle Advice for Rats

Rats can look forward to a long life despite their propensity to be tired—owing to their hardworking nature—and to experience minor ailments, in particular problems with their digestion and seasonal discomfort. Rats also tend to be more prone to catching colds.

With that in mind, Rats are advised to be somewhat “precious” with their health, which includes but isn’t limited to dressing appropriately for the weather and keeping a regular sleep schedule and a healthy diet.

Rat and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)

In the zodiac’s origin story, the Rat won a race across the celestial river with its quick thinking and likeability. It managed to come in first place, beating out all competitors, and became forever honored as the first zodiac.

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor organized a race to decide which animals should be honored as the zodiacs. Before the race, the Rat convinced the Ox to carry it across the river.

The Ox never suspected the Rat, who offered to “keep a lookout” in exchange. Just as the Ox was nearing the finish line, however, the Rat leaped down from its back and became the first zodiac (followed closely by Ox, Tiger, Rabbit and the rest of the animals)!

Famous People Born in the Year of the Rat

Many celebrities are your fellow Rat natives, who’re often likable and possess a quirky, off-beat charm.

• Hugh Grant: September 9, 1960, Metal Rat

• Scarlett Johansson: November 22, 1984, Wood Rat

• Eminem: October 17, 1972, Water Rat

• Zendaya: September 1, 1996, Fire Rat

• Prince Charles: November 14, 1948, Earth Rat

• Katy Perry: October 25, 1984, Wood Rat

• Dwayne Johnson: May 2, 1972, Water Rat

• Ru Paul: November 17, 1960, Metal Rat

Rat’s Horoscope for 2024 (Year of the Dragon)

The Rat is always hard-working and tenacious, no matter what circumstances they face. In the Year of the Dragon, which is harmonious with the Rat zodiac, those precious tendencies will be amplified and abundantly rewarded.

This year’s conditions are favorable for anything that you’d want to achieve—work, love, health, or wealth; you name it! Seize this tide of fortune, Rat; your life will be unrecognizable by the end of 2024.

Rat’s 2024 Love and Relationships Forecast

The Rat’s love life in 2024 will be more of a matter of discernment and knowing when to say no, as opportunities will be overly abundant and rather confusing if you’re not careful. Enviable problem!

Single Rats will almost surely be paired off by the end of 2024. Review your must-haves and nice-to-haves, which is necessary for knowing exactly who to reject or advance to the next round of courtship.

Meanwhile, Rats in a stable relationship may well see a ring on it before the year’s out. Both lovers and blissfully marrieds will enjoy a year of harmony, affection, and plenty of memories together.

Career Prospects for Rat in 2024

Career for the Rat in 2024 comes down to two simple words: be yourself. Be the dependable and hard-working team player that you have always been, and you’ll see your hard work appreciated and rewarded.

Rats who are looking for their opportunities will soon receive an offer they wouldn’t have dared dream of last year and settle into their new office environment. Now then, show them what you can do!

Those who’re already in their dream job will dazzle their co-workers and employers, making a name for themselves as the can-do problem solver. Needless to say, recognition, promotion, and big bonuses are not far off, either.

Rat’s Wealth and Finance in 2024

Owing to the harmony between the Rat and the Year of the Dragon, Rats can look forward to a year of steady increases in their finances, with even a somewhat sizeable chance of striking gold.

Again, just doing the good work that you usually do is already enough to bump your wealth up by a few decimal points since raises and bonuses are all but assured for you in 2024.

We know you’ll put most of that away in savings. But you may also stand to gain one big payout in the form of a signing bonus, an inheritance, or, heck, even winning the lottery!

Health Predictions for Rats in 2024

Rats tend to have delicate constitutions, and to some extent, even under the auspicious stars of 2024, minor discomfort may still be part of their lives, but none will evolve into a major complaint.

Thankfully, digestion, which is usually one of the Rat’s thorny spots, is greatly enhanced this year. Eat well and nutritiously, and you may never have to worry about heartburn ever again.

Rats like the comfort of home. But try to go out into nature more in 2024, which will boost body, spirit, and soul. Like all other aspects, exercise and be amazed by your own progress!