Chinese Zodiac : Rat Sign

Origin of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac

The twelve animals in the cycle derive from a legend about Buddha who invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year's Day. Only twelve animals went to see Buddha. As a reward he promised to name a year for each one in order of their arrival, these were the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog and boar.

Actually the ox would have been the first to arrive but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived and therefore was first. This also explains why e.g. the dragon appears only in the fifth place. Another legend has it that Buddha invited the animals on the day he was to leave the earth and only 12 animals showed up.

The doctrine of the twelve signs of the zodiac emerged during the Han dynasty which makes it more than 2000 years old. The signs of the zodiac in China are also widespread in China's neighbouring countries.

Rat zodiac

Born in the year
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

In general
Creative, problem solver, imaginative, hyperactive worker and respected for its resourcefulness.

Intuitive with ability in acquiring and holding on to things it values. Outward personality is certainly appealing, but below the surface there often abides a crafty and opportunist character.

In financial matters, they are erratic, scrimping, cutting corners and budgeting carefully when money is scarce, but spending lavishly instead of saving in time of plenty.

Chinese five element rat types
- Metal (1960) : Self-confident, hardworking, helpful, problem solver, prefer to work alone, and difficult to express their good points.

- Wood (1924) / (1984) : Freedom lover, imaginative, highly principled and not many close friends.

- Water (1912) / (1972) : Introvert, creative, adventurous until a safe haven found, systematic and believes in justice.

- Fire (1936) / (1996) : Warm-hearted, aggressive, without caring about the consequences to follow after bad-tempered action. "Control" will gain more friends.

- Earth (1948) / (2008) : Materialistic, hard-worker and hates the routine life. Not giving up when facing defeat will lead to success.