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Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 1

Rat

Rat · 鼠 shǔ

The Rat (鼠 shǔ), sign 1 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Zi 子, fixed element water, yang.

The Rat comes first in the cycle, and in the familiar story it won the Jade Emperor's race by riding on the Ox and jumping ahead at the finish. Traditionally the Rat stands for resourcefulness, intelligence and thrift; Rat years are associated with new beginnings.

In Chinese astrology the year animal is only one part of a horoscope: the element of the year's heavenly stem, the month, day and hour of birth (the Four Pillars) and their interactions are read together. The traditional characterisations of each animal belong to folk belief and popular almanacs rather than to a single authoritative text.

Personality

resourceful · quick-witted · thrifty · sociable · adaptable · ambitious · cautious

In Chinese popular astrology the Rat is described as clever, resourceful and quick to seize an opportunity, as befits the animal that won the Jade Emperor's race by riding on the Ox and leaping ahead at the finish. First of the twelve animals, linked with the earthly branch Zi, yang and the element water, it stands for beginnings and for the ability to thrive where others struggle.

Almanac portraits credit Rat-born people with sharp intelligence, charm in company, good judgement with money and an instinct for planning ahead, storing up for lean times. They are said to be good friends who remember kindnesses. The weaknesses traditionally named are anxiety about security, a calculating or opportunistic streak, a tendency to gossip and impatience with those who are slower to act.

In love the Rat is portrayed as affectionate and loyal, generous to those inside its circle; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Dragon and the Monkey. At work it is linked with business, trade, writing, research and any field that rewards quick thinking and good timing. As Chinese astrologers emphasise, the year animal is only one part of a person's Four Pillars, and the element of the birth year, as well as the month, day and hour, colours the portrait.

Sources and further reading