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Year of the Rat

2020 is the Year of the Rat according to Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Metal Rat, starting from the 2020 Chinese New Year on Jan. 25 and lasting to 2021 Lunar New Year’s Eve on Feb. 11. Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Rat include 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032...

An interesting Chinese legend about the ranking of the Rat goes that the Chinese supreme deity Jade Emperor held a birthday party and would decide the order of the zodiac animals according to their arrival times. Originally, the hardworking Ox departed early and should be the first one to reach. However, the Rat hid in the Ox’s ear and jumped down when arriving, occupying the first place. Thus the Rat had since been the No. 1 in the 12-year cycle and represents spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, and flexibility.

What’s more, the vitality of the Rat including the high fertility and high survival rate also makes it a lucky sign for couples hoping to conceive.

Earthly Branch of Birth Year: Zi
Wu Xing (The Five Elements): Shui (Water)
Yin Yang: Yang

Years of the Rat

The following chart will tell you if you were born the Year of the Rat and people should pay attention to the start and end dates as the Chinese zodiac is based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

A more simple way is to fill in your birthday in “Find your Chinese Zodiac” to get a quick and accurate answer.

Rat Year	Start	End	Element
1924	Feb.5,1924	Jan.23,1925	Wood
1936	Jan.24,1936	Feb.10,1937	Fire
1948	Feb.10,1948	Jan.28,1949	Earth
1960	Jan.28,1960	Feb.14,1961	Metal
1972	Feb.15,1972	Feb.2,1973	Water
1984	Feb.2,1984	Feb.19,1985	Wood
1996	Feb.19,1996	Feb.6,1997	Fire
2008	Feb.6,2008	Jan.25,2009	Earth
2020	Jan.25,2020	Feb.11,2021	Metal
2032	Feb.11,2032	Jan.30,2033	Water

Lucky Signs for People Born in Rat Year

Lucky Things for Rats:

Lucky Numbers: 2, 3 Lucky Colors: gold, blue, green Lucky Flowers: lily, African violet, lily of the valley Lucky Directions: southeast, northeast

Things Should be Avoided:

Unlucky Numbers: 5, 9 Unlucky Colors: yellow, brown Unlucky Direction: west

Personality: Rats are smart, quick-witted, strong-willed, and ambitious.

People who were born in the Year of the Rat are always called Rats whose characteristics tend to be more quick-witted with a keen observation and foresight. Rats also have a bright and optimistic personality which makes them adapt to changes in any environment and easily get help from others. However, though Rats are ambitious in career, they may not be qualified to become great leaders due to the stubbornness and the lack of empathy and humility.

Strengths
Savvy, quick-witted, positive, intelligent, bright, versatile
Weaknesses
Lack of courage, captious, undetermined, stubborn
Rat Men: Rat men can think quickly and have a good memory. They are curious about everything, get to the bottom of things, and have a strong thirst for knowledge. Meanwhile, they hold on to their own views but seldom have the courage to take action. Men with Chinese zodiac Rat sign also attach importance to the family.
Rat Women: Rat women are smart and sensible in the life, taking a cue from somebody’s words or facial expressions. They also take a good advantage of their strengths and avoid showing weaknesses. All of those make them considerate and their families could be taken care of. However, they may lack the ability to cope with stress.
Personality by Five Elements: Which Type of 'Rat' Are You?
People born in different years of Rat show varied personal characters because the traditional Chinese Five Elements (Wu Xing) will affect the personality.

Types	Years of Birth	Personality Traits
Wood Rat	1924, 1984	Independent, traditional, enjoying great popularity but a bit pessimistic.
Fire Rat	1936, 1996	Energetic, brave, self-disciplined, sometimes sharp and harsh.
Earth Rat	1948, 2008	Honest, hardworking, having strong adaptability, of high self-esteem.
Metal Rat	1960, 2020	Persuasive, irritable, sensitive with strong self-awareness, like to be the center of attention.
Water Rat	1912, 1972	Alert, intelligent with good thinking, but conservative in practice.

Rat’s Personality by Blood Types
• Blood Type O: With outgoing and optimistic character, they are extroverts ready to help others. Good communication skills make them have fewer conflicts with others and popular among friends.
• Blood Type A: They are typical submissive people, always keeping themselves in the second place but putting others first. They are empathetic, perceptive, and quick-witted but not assertive enough to capture opportunities.
• Blood Type B: Having an unsociable personality, they are straightforward in expression and tired of using a euphemism. However, they are easy to trust others so that they suffer losses.
• Blood Type AB: Rats with blood type AB look gentle and generous outwardly but sometimes they are arbitrary and indifferent. The high efficiency at work makes them deeply valued by bosses.

Love Compatibility of the Rat

Want to know the love compatibility between you and your partner quickly? Just check it on the “Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Test” according to the names and dates of birth.

Best Matches: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Ox is the most faithful partner for the Rat and they can build a romantic relationship together. Rat’ straightforwardness and confidence will attract Dragons and they can find more fun in life and help each other at work. Monkey will also be a great partner and the couple of Rat and Monkey can not only support each other but also be tolerant of each other’s shortcomings.
Bad Matches: Horse, Rooster
Both the Rat and the Horse are independent and proactive but it is hard for them to understand and communicate with each other. The Rat people cannot stand the picky from a Rooster partner and they may have a lot of conflicts.
How to Get along with Rats

People with Chinese zodiac Rat sign are emulative in a relationship and they want to find a capable and excellent partner, especially in the career. If you think they are money-oriented, then you are wrong. They don’t care too much about money or outward appearance. What matters for them is about inner feelings and the chemistry. Though Rats look flirtatious, they are honest and faithful once they choose to build a relationship and hope so are their partners.

Jobs & Careers for Rats

Best Jobs: Artist, musician, cafe owner, actor, author, photographer, doctor, teacher...

Rats are active and independent. Unrestricted work and freelance work are more suitable for them, instead of being a staff of a large company. They also prefer individual work with innovation to the cooperative work, enabling them to become a good café owner, an author, or a doctor. What’s more, most people born in the Rat Year are intuitive-sensitive with a talent in art and have a profound understanding of life. So the artist, musician, photographer, and actor all are listed on their best jobs.

Health & Fitness Advice

People born in the Year of the Rat always have a lower immunity since childhood as the immune system isn't up to par. They often catch colds and suffer some small diseases, but luckily, no big illnesses need to be worried. They are also sensitive about climate change as the higher or lower temperature will make them sick, thus the Rats should keep an eye on the weather and temperature, change garments according to the season. It is also suggested that they quit smoking and drinking alcohol.

Rat's Fortune in 2020

The year 2020 is exactly the Chinese Zodiac Birth Year (Ben Ming Nian) of the Rats, which represents the Rats are facing a lot of changes and fluctuations in the fortune of 2020. It doesn’t mean bad luck or something like that, however, they should make a full preparation to face these changes. Good luck may occur when the Rats take initiative to make big changes, such as purchasing a house, getting married, having a baby or changing a job. If they want to start up a business, this year may not be a good time and savings are more secure than other investments.

Career: This year may not be very smooth for the Rats in career. They may feel tired at work and face difficult tasks. Some chances of changing jobs may occur in the second-half year but avoid excessive expectations.
Wealth: As the wealth fortune becomes fluctuated, they should make savings this year. Try to avoid deficit spending and create a budget plan. Do not make any high-risk investments but it is available to purchase some low-risk funds.
Relationships: The chances for single Rats to find a partner are slim as they devote themselves to the work this year. However, Rats men may have romantic affairs but that may trigger some troubles.
Education: Progress in the Rats’ studies is not obvious in this year and the hard tasks may bring the school-weariness. Parents should offer more encouragement and the Rats could take part in various outdoor activities to relieve stress.
Health: Their health fortune is not so positive in 2020. Pay attention to the accidental injuries or bloodshed. Try to keep a peaceful mind and avoid fighting with others. Also, take care of themselves in case of catching colds or fevers.

Rat Zodiac Eminent Personalities

George H. W. Bush (41st US President): June 12, 1924, Wood Rat
Prince Charles (Prince of Wales): November 14, 1948, Earth Rat
Eminem (Rapper): October 17, 1972, Water Rat
Katy Perry (Pop Star): October 25, 1984, Wood Rat
Cristiano Ronaldo (Football Star): February 5, 1985, Wood Rat
Tom Holland (Actor): June 1, 1996, Fire Rat

Check 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals

Rat

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Sheep

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

- Last modified on Aug. 03, 2020 -

Questions & Answers on Year of the Rat

Asked by VIDUSHI CHAUDHARY from INDIA | Jul. 15, 2020 00:51

I completed M.Sc. in 2019 & gave exam gor m.tech &, PhD,but still could not get admission..

My date of birth is 8 April 1996.When will I get success in my career?

Answers (1)

Answered by Jeremiah from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 20, 2020 02:26

You should keep the positive attitude. The prediction indicates that you may achieve some successes at the end of 2020 or early 2021. You shouldn't give up.

Asked by APARNA04 | Jul. 02, 2020 14:17

Success in career

My daughter Radhika has just completed college degree in 2019 and is currently working as research assistant here in US. She wants to become a medical doctor.
She recently took medical college entrance exam (MCAT) on March 14, 2020 and did not do very well so she took the same exam (MCAT) again on June 20, 2020.

Will my daughter be successful and be able to get admission to a medical college to study and become a medical doctor?

Regards

Answers (1)

Answered by Brooke from DENMARK | Jul. 06, 2020 00:35

According to the prediction, she need to study hard and prepare for exam very well. In this way, she may have a possibility to pass the exam.

Asked by APARNA04 | Jun. 26, 2020 14:18

Marriage prospects

I am asking for my daughter Radhika Srivastava born November 1, 1996 at 10.56AM in Baltimore Maryland USA.
She has had some serious liking for some colleagues boys during her college years. she just graduated from college and studying higher.
She does not have a boyfriend at this time as much as i know

i would like to know what are her chances of marriage and when? will it be a love marriage of her choice or arranged marriage and will it be successful?
Regards and thanks

Answers (1)

Answered by Gavin from CANADA | Jun. 29, 2020 01:13

According to the prediction, she would have a high possibility to find soul mate next year. Maybe she need to have more time to join in social activities and make more friends. In this way, she may find the right person much easier.

Asked by Vishal from INDIA | May. 26, 2020 00:42

Will be switching my Job, infact planning to move to a new role altogether

Hi,
My DOB is 24th July 1984 . I am a software Engineer with 11 years of experience, and planning to move to a new Role in a new company this year, though in the Software field only. I am highly stressed as this Role is totally new , and I won't be having any experience in this , though I have started studying for it. How are the prospects for me to switch to a new company. And also how will that new Role and new Organisation, will be for me.

Answers (1)

Answered by Caleb from FRANCE | Jun. 08, 2020 01:00

Hi, you should have more confidence about yourself. Actually, you will adapt for the new work environment as soon as possible. And you will make some breakthroughs. Generally speaking, you can handle this.