金Chinese zodiac · Metal element
Metal Rat 1960 · 2020 · 2080 · 庚子 (gēng zǐ)
Metal Rats are quick-witted and resourceful like every Rat, with an added streak of determination and discipline. This combination comes round only once every 60 years.
- Yang Metal
- Animal: Rat
- Element: Metal 金
- Every 60 years
Year of the Metal Rat dates
| Year | Dates | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 28 Jan 1960 – 14 Feb 1961 | 庚子 (gēng zǐ) |
| 2020 | 25 Jan 2020 – 11 Feb 2021 | 庚子 (gēng zǐ) |
| 2080 | 22 Jan 2080 – 8 Feb 2081 | 庚子 (gēng 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.
What makes the Metal Rat different
At heart this is still a Rat: quick-witted, resourceful and charming. Metal is the element of strength. It brings determination, discipline and high standards, and Metal types are self-reliant and hard to sway.
Metal Rat strengths and challenges
Strengths
- Determined and resilient
- Principled and focused
- Sharp, strategic thinking
- Thrifty and good with money
Watch out for
- Rigid or unyielding
- Can be blunt
- Prone to penny-pinching
- Critical when stressed
Metal Rat in love
Metal makes the sign more intense and loyal, but also more guarded and less willing to bend. In love the Rat is devoted but slow to trust.
Metal Rat career and money
Metal favors ambition, structure and seeing a goal through to the end. Rats do well wherever quick thinking and attention to detail pay off.
- Finance and accounting
- Research and analysis
- Writing and editing
- Business and entrepreneurship
The other types of Rat
The same animal behaves differently under each element. Compare the Metal Rat with the other four types, or read the full Year of the Rat guide.
The Metal years
Each element rules two years in a row, one Yang and one Yin. The Metal Rat year is followed by the Metal Ox. Metal is linked with autumn, the color white and gold and the west. Read more about the five elements.
Metal Rat questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Metal Rat?
The Year of the Metal Rat falls in 1960, 2020 and 2080. It comes round once every 60 years. The exact dates are 28 Jan 1960 – 14 Feb 1961; 25 Jan 2020 – 11 Feb 2021; 22 Jan 2080 – 8 Feb 2081.
What is the Metal Rat personality?
Metal Rats are quick-witted and resourceful like every Rat, with an added streak of determination and discipline. It brings determination, discipline and high standards, and Metal types are self-reliant and hard to sway.
Who is the Metal Rat compatible with?
Like all Rats, the Metal Rat is most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox, and finds the Horse and Goat more challenging.
How is the Metal Rat different from other Rats?
In the five-element cycle Metal generates Water, the Rat’s own fixed element. The year element supports the sign, so Metal Rats tend to find that their natural talents come easily.
Check your exact sign
Enter your date of birth to confirm your Chinese zodiac animal and element, plus your star sign and life path number.
