RAT
Rat keywords: Quick mind, good bargainer, and a natural charmer.
Rat correlates to the western sign Sagittarius.

Rat Lunar Calendar:

1900 - January 31 to February 18, 1901 White Rat
1912 - February 18 to February 5, 1913 Black Rat
1924 - February 5 to January 24, 1925 Green Rat
1936 - January 24 to February 10, 1937 Red Rat
1948 - February 10 to January 28, 1949 Yellow Rat
1960 - January 28 to February 14, 1961 White Rat
1972 - February 15 to February 1, 1973 Black Rat
1984 - February 2 to February 18, 1985 Green Rat
1996 - February 19 to February 5, 1997 Red Rat
2008 - February 6 to January 25, 2009 Yellow Rat
2020 - January 25 to February 11, 2021 White Rat

Rat in Rat Year 2008:

Enjoy a great year and a new life cycle of opportunities! This cycle brings good fortune, abundance, and luck. Financial gain is foreseen, happiness and contentment can be found, relationships prosper, and creativity is stimulated. Rats are empowered by experiencing the chi of their own year.

Rat Personality:

Clever, magnificent Rat is honored in Asian culture, unlike the western stereotype of Rat as a plague-carrying vermin to be exterminated. In Japanese lore, a white (metal) Rat is the symbol of Daikoku, the god of wealth and prosperity. Therefore, Rat has the natural ability to be successful. Although some translations refer to Rat as mouse, this is misleading because Rat's personality is rarely meek and mousy. The most significant Rat character trait is her/his cleverness. A Taoist folk tale recalls how Rat conquered Ox and became the first animal of the Taoist zodiac:
There was a contest in a Chinese village to select the twelve animals of the horoscope. Ox was working on a farm when Rat came to see him. Rat told Ox about the contest because he wanted to ride on Ox's back to get to the village.

Ox trudged for miles over difficult terrain with Rat on his back. Ox struggled as he swam across a mighty river with Rat on his back. When Ox and Rat finally arrived at the village, people saw Rat riding on the back of Ox. They were so impressed that they made Rat number one in the sequence of the twelve animals.

In a Buddhist version of this Taoist folk tale, the first animal to the bedside of the dying Buddha would be made the first animal of the zodiac. Rat rode on Ox's back. Then, as Ox approached the bedside, Rat jumped off and got there first. Rat has been the first animal ever since.

The year of the Rat is a time of plenty, bringing abundance and good fortune. In this auspicious year, some of Rat's prosperity can influence everyone, regardless of one's birth animal. Expect a powerful year when people are firm about their goals, passions, and aspirations. Although there may be fluctuation in world economies, it is an excellent time to start a business, buy property, invest in long-term plans, or accumulate wealth. All ventures begun in Rat year will prosper if well prepared. But it is not a time for foolish risks. Save those for Tiger and Monkey years. Rat loves the pack, so it is also a time for socializing, entertaining, and enjoying ourselves.

Learn more!
To learn more about the Rat personality, Rat relationships, Rat child and parent, Rat's fortunes in the twelve-year cycle, and details of the red fire Rat, yellow earth Rat, white metal Rat, black water Rat, and green  wood Rat, read Taoist Astrology: A Handbook of the Authentic Chinese Tradition by Susan Levitt with Jean Tang (published by Destiny Books 1997).

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