鼠Chinese zodiac · 1st sign
Year of the Rat 鼠 (shǔ) · Clever, resourceful and first across the line
The Rat opens the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Rat year are known for sharp minds, quick reactions and a knack for spotting opportunity before anyone else does.
- Yang sign
- Fixed element: Water
- Hours: 11pm–1am
- Branch: 子 zǐ
Recent years
1996 · 2008 · 2020
Lucky numbers
2, 3, 6
Lucky colors
Blue, gold, green
Lucky flowers
Lily, African violet
Best matches
Dragon, Monkey, Ox
Challenging matches
Horse, Goat
Year of the Rat dates
The Year of the Rat comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Wood Rat is not quite the same as a Fire Rat.
| 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.
Rat personality
Rats are observant and adaptable. They read a room quickly, save for a rainy day and rarely walk into a situation without a plan B. Sociable on the surface, they keep their real circle small and are fiercely protective of it.
Strengths
- Sharp, strategic thinking
- Thrifty and good with money
- Charming and persuasive
- Adaptable under pressure
Weaknesses
- Can be over-cautious or anxious
- Prone to penny-pinching
- Critical when stressed
- Finds it hard to switch off
The five types of Rat
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Rat’s own fixed element is Water, and each Rat year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Rat love and compatibility
In love the Rat is devoted but slow to trust. Once committed they are attentive, generous partners who remember the small things, and they need a partner who offers security and lets them worry out loud.
In Chinese astrology the Rat gets on best with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox. The Horse is the Rat’s opposite sign, and the Goat can also be a testing match.
Rat career and wellbeing
Career and money
Rats do well wherever quick thinking and attention to detail pay off. They are natural planners, negotiators and problem-solvers, and tend to build wealth steadily rather than spectacularly.
- Finance and accounting
- Research and analysis
- Writing and editing
- Business and entrepreneurship
Health and wellbeing
Rats run on nervous energy. Regular sleep, time away from screens and a hobby that has nothing to do with work help keep stress in check.
Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 6. Lucky colors: blue, gold, green. Lucky flowers: Lily, African violet.
The Rat in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
The Horse sits directly opposite the Rat on the zodiac wheel, so 2026 can feel unsettled. It is a year to stay flexible, avoid big gambles and look after your health.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
The Rat and the Goat do not sit easily together. Expect a few misunderstandings in 2027, and take extra care with paperwork and promises.
The Rat in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Rat hitched a ride on the Ox’s back and leapt off at the finish line to claim first place.
The Rat is the 1st sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 子 (zǐ), the hours 11pm–1am and Yang energy.
Rat questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Rat?
Recent Years of the Rat are 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Rat’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Rat are traditionally quick-witted, resourceful and charming. Rats are observant and adaptable.
Who is the Rat most compatible with?
The Rat is most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox. The most challenging matches are the Horse and Goat.
What are the Rat’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Rat’s lucky numbers are 2, 3, 6 and its lucky colors are blue, gold, green. Numbers traditionally avoided are 5, 9, and colors to avoid are yellow, brown.
What element is the Rat?
The Rat’s fixed element is Water. In addition, every Rat year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Rat, Fire Rat, Earth Rat, Metal Rat and Water Rat.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.