Year of the Rat 鼠

The Rat is sign 1 of the twelve-animal Chinese zodiac cycle. Recent and upcoming Rat years include 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 — but remember the animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1, so January and early-February birthdays may belong to the previous sign.

Rat years

Between 1940 and 2035 the Year of the Rat falls in: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032. Each of those years also carries an element from the ten-year Heavenly Stem cycle, so no two Rat years in a row are quite the same flavour — a full animal-and-element combination repeats only every 60 years. Check any single year, for example born in 2020, for its exact pairing.

Rat personality

Quick-witted, resourceful and observant, the Rat is the sign that spots the open door while everyone else is still reading the map. Rats are natural savers and planners who charm easily, though they can overthink a simple decision.

Lucky numbers and colours

In the tradition this site follows, the Rat's lucky numbers are 2 and 3 and its lucky colours are blue, gold, green. Treat these as the fun part of the reading — a nudge for a jersey number or a notebook colour, not a strategy.

Rat compatibility

Traditionally easy-going with Dragon and Monkey, who share the Rat's energy, and steady with Ox. Horse, opposite on the wheel, can feel like a tug-of-war. You can test any pairing on the 12×12 compatibility matrix.

Famous Rats

Well-known people born in a Year of the Rat include Eminem (born 1972) and Scarlett Johansson (born 1984) — listed by birth year only, which is all the zodiac claims about them.

Not sure if you're a Rat?

Birthdays near Lunar New Year are the classic trap. Use the finder on the homepage with your exact birth date, or check the New Year dates table for your year.

Explore the other animals

Zodiac Sign Finder is for entertainment. Astrology is a tradition of stories and symbols, not a science — enjoy your reading the way you'd enjoy a fortune cookie: lightly.