Chinese zodiac · 1 of 12
子 The Rat
The Rat opens the zodiac. In the old story of the Great Race it rode on the Ox's back and leapt ahead at the finish line, and that tale sums up the sign: quick, resourceful and always noticing an opening that others miss. The Rat's branch, 子 (Zǐ), marks midnight, midwinter and due North, the point where yin reaches its peak and yang begins to return.
- Branch
- 子 Zǐ
- Fixed element
- Water
- Polarity
- Yang
- Direction
- North (N)
- Hours
- 11 pm – 1 am
- Solar month starts
- about 7 Dec (Major Snow)
Rat years and their elements
Each Rat year also carries one of the five elements, so a Rat born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | 甲子 Yang Wood Rat | 5 Feb 1924 | 4 Feb 1925 |
| 1936 | 丙子 Yang Fire Rat | 5 Feb 1936 | 4 Feb 1937 |
| 1948 | 戊子 Yang Earth Rat | 5 Feb 1948 | 4 Feb 1949 |
| 1960 | 庚子 Yang Metal Rat | 5 Feb 1960 | 4 Feb 1961 |
| 1972 | 壬子 Yang Water Rat | 5 Feb 1972 | 4 Feb 1973 |
| 1984 | 甲子 Yang Wood Rat | 4 Feb 1984 | 4 Feb 1985 |
| 1996 | 丙子 Yang Fire Rat | 4 Feb 1996 | 4 Feb 1997 |
| 2008 | 戊子 Yang Earth Rat | 4 Feb 2008 | 4 Feb 2009 |
| 2020 | 庚子 Yang Metal Rat | 4 Feb 2020 | 3 Feb 2021 |
Rat personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Rat. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Sharp, observant and quick to learn
- Thrifty and good at building reserves
- Charming in small groups, loyal to family
- Adapts fast when plans change
Watch out for: Rats can overthink and worry about scarcity, even in good times. Their thriftiness can tip into holding back, and their quick tongue can wound without meaning to.
Rat at work
Rats traditionally do well in roles that reward quick thinking and careful money management: research, trading, writing and running a small business. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Rat compatibility
Traditional pairings favour the Ox (six harmony), and the Dragon and Monkey (three harmony). The Horse sits directly opposite, so Rat–Horse partnerships need more patience and clear communication.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Ox | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Dragon and Monkey | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Horse | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Goat | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Rat
With a Water branch, the Rat is supported by Metal and grounded by gentle Earth. Keep the North of a room tidy and calm; it is the Rat's home direction. A small metal bowl, a round mirror or a water feature in the North suits the sign. A Rat's desk works well with a solid wall behind it and a clear view of the door, which answers its need to feel secure.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Rat in 2026 and 2027
2026 is a Fire Horse year, and the Horse is the Rat's opposite. Tradition calls this 冲太岁, clashing with the year. It is a year for steady routines rather than big leaps: check contracts twice, keep savings intact and avoid rushing house moves.
In 2027 (Fire Goat) your sign meets the year in a harm pairing; communicate carefully.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.