鼠Chinese zodiac years
Years of the Rat 1948 · 1960 · 1972 · 1984 · 1996 · 2008 · 2020
The Year of the Rat comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2032, the Year of the Water Rat, which begins on 11 Feb 2032.
- Every 12 years
- Next: 2032
- Sign: 1st of 12
Year of the Rat chart
The table shows every Year of the Rat from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | 5 Feb 1924 – 23 Jan 1925 | Wood Rat | 甲子 (jiǎ zǐ) |
| 1936 | 24 Jan 1936 – 10 Feb 1937 | Fire Rat | 丙子 (bǐng zǐ) |
| 1948 | 10 Feb 1948 – 28 Jan 1949 | Earth Rat | 戊子 (wù zǐ) |
| 1960 | 28 Jan 1960 – 14 Feb 1961 | Metal Rat | 庚子 (gēng zǐ) |
| 1972 | 15 Feb 1972 – 2 Feb 1973 | Water Rat | 壬子 (rén zǐ) |
| 1984 | 2 Feb 1984 – 19 Feb 1985 | Wood Rat | 甲子 (jiǎ zǐ) |
| 1996 | 19 Feb 1996 – 6 Feb 1997 | Fire Rat | 丙子 (bǐng zǐ) |
| 2008 | 7 Feb 2008 – 25 Jan 2009 | Earth Rat | 戊子 (wù zǐ) |
| 2020 | 25 Jan 2020 – 11 Feb 2021 | Metal Rat | 庚子 (gēng zǐ) |
| 2032 | 11 Feb 2032 – 30 Jan 2033 | Water Rat | 壬子 (rén zǐ) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
When is the next Year of the Rat?
The next Year of the Rat is 2032, the Year of the Water Rat. It runs from 11 Feb 2032 to 30 Jan 2033. After that the Rat returns in 2044.
What each element means for the Rat
Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Rat’s character.
Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián
When the Rat year comes round, everyone born under the Rat is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.
Read the full Year of the Rat guide for personality, compatibility and career.
Years of the Rat questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Rat?
The Years of the Rat are 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 and 2032. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.
When is the next Year of the Rat?
The next Year of the Rat is 2032, the Year of the Water Rat. It runs from 11 Feb 2032 to 30 Jan 2033.
Is my own zodiac year unlucky?
Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.
Years of the other signs
Find your sign from your birthday
Enter your date of birth and the calculator checks the Lunar New Year date for you.
