Year of the Rat
Rat ranks the first of 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Explore more about Chinese horoscope for year of the Rat. Rat people are expected to have good fortune in 2025.
Chinese zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao (生肖) or Shu Xiang (属相), is a big part of traditional Chinese culture, which recurs every 12 years. There are 12 zodiac signs in total, forming a 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. They are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, aligned in sequential order.
Chinese zodiac years start from the lunar Chinese New Year, which usually falls in late January or early February, and end in the middle or the end of February. The Chinese zodiac calendar is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is grounded in the cycles of the moon.
The 2025 year of the Snake begins on January 29th and ends on February 16th, 2026. It is believed by Chinese people that the horoscope, traits, and love compatibility have particular relevance to their Chinese zodiac animal on the basis of the birth year.
Scroll down and check out your Chinese zodiac sign, love compatibility, and 2025 horoscope predictions.
Then what is the next zodiac year? Chinese zodiac 2025 turns to the Snake sign, the fifth zodiac animal. The Chinese zodiac year is the year of the Snake, lasting from January 29th, 2025, to February 16th, 2026.
2026 will be the year of the Horse.
As mentioned before, there are 12 Chinese zodiac years in total, which depend on your birth year. A Chinese zodiac year stands for an animal. For example, 2000 is the year of the Dragon, and if you were born in 2000, then you are known as the Dragon sign, which works for most people. The Chinese zodiac chart could be your reference. But if you were in late January, you should switch the calendar to the Chinese lunar calendar to double-check.
The Chinese zodiac years chart below, numerating the most recent Chinese zodiac years, can help you confirm your zodiac sign as soon as possible without using any Chinese zodiac calculators.
| Chinese Zodiac Signs | Years |
|---|---|
| Rat | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1957, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Goat | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| Monkey | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| Rooster | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| Dog | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| Pig | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
2025 is coming towards us. This new year is full of challenges and opportunities for every zodiac sign. But there are still 5 lucky Chinese zodiac signs in 2025, including Dragon, Rabbit, Rooster, Monkey, and Horse. These animals will enter a relatively stable and smooth year. You may wonder what is my Chinese zodiac horoscope. The content below can help you learn more about the year of the Snake horoscope.
Baobai star will bring some negative effects on wealth. Besides, Rat people may ignore interpersonal relationships and feelings to focus on careers, which will reach a new level. And you will make the right decisions this year.
It will be a fruitful year because Ox people are expected to achieve accomplishments in careers, finance, and relationships. Your horoscope will run smoothly in general.
Tigers, you should get ready to embrace your challenges in 2025. But you do not need to worry a lot. You are blessed with the auspicious star and can fix those problems and achieve personal growth with hard work and positivity.
For the Zodiac Rabbit, your previous effort has laid a solid foundation for your future achievements. Especially in the financial aspect, your good spending habits lead to stable development. Horoscope in every respect will show an upward trend.
Dragon people may embrace great success in the 2025 year of the Snake. Good luck shows up in your career and relationships. Hard work will contribute to your fruits in this fulfilling year. Married Dragons will prioritize family responsibility.
The year 2025 will be the Chinese zodiac birth year (Ben Ming Nian) for the Snake sign. Snakes may face challenges and obstacles in health, career, and relationships. But keeping resilient and holding a positive attitude can help you go through this year more successfully and achieve more success. Besides, it is necessary to pay more attention to your health.
It is generally stable and smooth in 2025 for people under the zodiac Horse. Get ready to embrace your good luck, which will show up in your career development and social relationships.
Goats will reap a lot in wealth and gain recognition in professional areas, in which you can perform energetically and improve your capabilities.
For Monkey people, it will be a complicated year. You may face a few bumps. In a career, Goats are expected to get nobles’ help. The fortune of wealth will run well. But it is likely to experience ups and downs in terms of relationships.
Roosters will gain a lot of opportunities and get promotions and pay raises. You’d better keep away from competition in the workplace. Besides, good luck mainly shows up in love affairs, therefore, single Roosters can be in love.
Dogs will carry a good fortune in wealth and love to enter 2025, but still need to be cautious in managing money. Regular income tends to be stable. In relationships, Single Dogs are expected to fall in love, and married Dogs will remain harmonious in the family.
The general condition in 2025 may be a bit tough for Pig natives. Although gaining promotions, you are still faced with competitive pressure. And be cautious of petty people in workplaces. It is hard to get into a relationship, because you may feel disappointed in affection.
Chinese zodiac love compatibility between zodiac love matches is derived from San He (Three Harmonies) and Liu He (Six Harmonies), a big part of Chinese astrology. Both groups are positive and compatible, but the former, Three Harmonies, is better than the latter, Six Harmonies.
The Chinese zodiac compatibility chart below can be your reference to check out who is your Mr./ Ms. Right in love, friendship, and career.
Chinese zodiac signs are categorized into 4 groups, called the Three Harmonies (San He), which are also recognized as the best compatibility compared with other zodiac animals. They can improve each other and make things better, bringing positive effects and good luck to the opposite side.
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | San He (Best Compatibility) |
|---|---|
| Rat | Dragon, Monkey |
| Ox | Snake, Rooster |
| Tiger | Horse, Dog |
| Rabbit | Goat, Pig |
| Dragon | Rat, Monkey |
| Snake | Ox, Rooster |
| Horse | Tiger, Dog |
| Goat | Rabbit, Pig |
| Monkey | Rat, Dragon |
| Rooster | Ox, Snake |
| Dog | Tiger, Horse |
| Pig | Rabbit, Goat |
Chinese zodiac signs are paired with each other two by two, which is called the Six Harmonies group (Liu He), and is considered the second-best compatibility. Zodiac signs in the Liu He group are complementary to one another in personality and fortune.
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Liu He (Second Best Compatibility) |
|---|---|
| Rat | Ox |
| Ox | Rat |
| Tiger | Pig |
| Rabbit | Dog |
| Dragon | Rooster |
| Snake | Monkey |
| Horse | Tiger, |
| Goat | Rabbit, Pig |
| Monkey | Snake |
| Rooster | Dragon |
| Dog | Rabbit |
| Pig | Tiger |
It is believed in Chinese astrology that the world is related to the Five Elements, composed of Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, and Water. And Chinese zodiac elements differ from each other.
| Five Elements | Chinese Zodiac Signs |
|---|---|
| Wood | Tiger, Rabbit |
| Fire | Snake, Horse |
| Earth | Ox, Dragon, Goat, Dog |
| Gold | Monkey, Rooster |
| Water | Rat, Pig |
The zodiac sign in Chinese astrology plays an important role in traditional Chinese culture. It is believed that people carry the same characteristics as their corresponding animals in their birth years. Each zodiac sign has different traits from the other.
Rat Personality: Agile, resourceful, prudent, and diligent could usually be used to describe Rat people. The Rat is thrifty and adept at managing money. They are also versatile and observant, which offers you an edge to slide all kinds of social situations.
Ox Personality: Oxen's traits are steady, hardworking, and patient. They are down-to-earth and responsible, so they prefer a stable life and are extremely loyal to family and friends.
Tiger Personality: Tigers are passionate, ambitious, and with a strong sense of responsibility, they will always go all out to work. At the same time, they treat friends sincerely and are warm-hearted.
Rabbit Personality: Rabbits are popular with friends. They are compassionate and sincere. Indulging in comfort, they tend to avoid conflict.
Dragon Personality: With natural leadership and charisma, Dragons are witty and have flexible minds, strong learning abilities, and have high acceptance of new things.
Snake Personality: Snakes tend to be wise, elusive, charming, flexible, and gregarious. They are intuitive enough to see through others.
Horse Personality: Horse people are sociable, eloquent, generous to others, and have a big heart, which helps them make friends easily.
Goat Personality: Goats treat friends amicably. They are good listeners, excelling at listening to others and minding their feelings. But they are insecure sometimes.
Monkey Personality: Monkey is sharp and smart. They are energetic and willing to please others.
Rooster Personality: Roosters are diligent and ambitious, not satisfied with the current situation. And they are insightful enough to observe every detail.
Dog Personality: People under the zodiac Dog are faithful and loyal, but not good at finding partners. Sensitive and their mood swing sometimes.
Pig Personality: Pigs are empathetic and helpful. They will offer help when others are stuck in tough situations. Seeing problems from a positive angle. It is believed that the dilemma is temporary and can be fixed.
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Lucky Numbers | Lucky Colors | Lucky Flowers | Lucky Months | Lucky Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1, 4, 6 | gold, white, blue, and green | lily and african violet | the 1st, 3rd, and 12th Chinese lunar months | west, northeast, and southeast |
| Ox | 1, 4, 7, 9 | white and yellow | waterlily, morning glory, tulip, and peach blossom | the 2nd, 3rd, and 10th Chinese lunar month | south and north |
| Tiger | 1, 3, 4 | yellow, red, gold, and green | cineraria, and yellow lily | the 1st, 3rd, 10th and 11th Chinese lunar months | east, north, and south |
| Rabbit | 3, 4, 6 | blue, yellow, red, pink, and purple | jasmine, plantain lily, and cyclamen | the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 11th Chinese lunar months | east and south |
| Dragon | 1, 6, 7 | gold, silver, red, and hoary | daisy, violet, hyacinth, and cactus | the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Chinese lunar months | east, north, and northeast |
| Snake | 2, 8, 9 | black, red, and yellow | orchid and cactus | the 1st, 8th and 11th Chinese lunar months | west, southwest, and south |
| Horse | 2, 3, 7 | red, green, and yellow | jasmine, and calla lily | the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Chinese lunar months | east, west, and southwest |
| Goat | 2, 7 | brown, purple, pink, and red | carnations, promises, and alice flowers | the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th Chinese lunar months | east, south, and southeast |
| Monkey | 6, 7, 8 | white, blue, and gold | chrysanthemum and crape myrtle | the 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th Chinese lunar months | north, west, and northwest |
| Rooster | 5, 7, 8 | brown, gold, and yellow | cockscomb and gladiola | the 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 10th Chinese lunar months | west, southwest, and northeast |
| Dog | 3, 4, 9 | red, green, and purple | rose, cymbidium, and orchids | the 6th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months | east, south, and northeast |
| Pig | 2, 5, 8 | yellow, brown, gold, and gray | hydrangea, daisy, and pitcher plant | the 1st, 2nd, and 6th Chinese lunar months | south, southeast, and southwest |
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Unlucky Numbers | Unlucky Colors | Unlucky Months | Unlucky Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 0, 5, 9 | brown and yellow | the 6th and 10th Chinese lunar months | south and east |
| Ox | 3, 6, 5 | brown, green, red, and white | the 1st and 3rd Chinese lunar months | southwest |
| Tiger | 6, 7, 8 | brown and silver | the 7th and 8th Chinese lunar months | northwest and southwest |
| Rabbit | 1, 7, 8 | dark, brown, and white | the 9th and 10th Chinese lunar months | west, north, and southwest |
| Dragon | 3, 8, 9 | green and black | the 1st and 6th Chinese lunar months | west and northwest |
| Snake | 1, 6, 7 | brown, gold, and white | the 1st and 5th Chinese lunar months | northeast and northwest |
| Horse | 1, 5, 6 | blue, white, and black | the 10th and 11th Chinese lunar months | north and northwest |
| Goat | 4, 9 | blue, black, and gold | the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th Chinese lunar months | west and southwest |
| Monkey | 2, 5, 9 | red, pink, and black | the 4th, and 5th Chinese lunar months | south and southeast |
| Rooster | 1, 3, 9 | red and white | the 7th and 9th Chinese lunar months | south, north, and east |
| Dog | 1, 6, 7 | blue, white, and gold | the 5th and 8th Chinese lunar months | southeast |
| Pig | 1, 3, 4 | red, blue, and green | the 5th and 12th Chinese lunar months | northeast |
In Chinese culture, people believe that the Dragon, Pig, and Rat are the top 3 luckiest zodiac animals.
In ancient times, the Dragon was considered the symbol of nobility and good luck. People born in the year of the Dragon are usually confident, with inborn leadership and ambition, which puts them into the limelight. And they excel at achieving goals with their capability.
As the previous sign of luck, Pig natives are blessed. They are naturally positive and easily satisfied, which helps them handle troubles lightly. Pig people tend to live in a comfortable way, so they are seldom concerned about trivial things. Sincerity and goodness help them easily gain help and support from others.
Rat is also one of the most popular zodiac signs. People with the Rat sign are usually astute, insightful, and resilient. No matter where they are, they can find opportunities to survive and develop, and at the same time, their wit allows them to harvest a lot in their career and wealth.
The short answer is the Goat. There is a traditional saying going like “Nine out of ten people born in the year of the Goat have an unlucky life.” (十羊九不全), which is widely spread. It is said that in the late Qing Dynasty (1840-1912), those in power, like Empress Dowager Cixi, were Goats, who were seen as the ones leading to the country’s decay. It is an outdated point of view, but it reflects the social reality of that time. The Goat sign historically carried good meaning, the symbol of kindness, wealth, and filial piety.
There is a great race story of the Chinese zodiac circulated among folks. Jade Emperor (Yu-huang-ti) wanted to hold a competition to choose guards. According to the sequence of arrival, the first 12 contestants will be selected. After the news spread, all kinds of creatures came to participate in the competition to strive for the first twelve ones passing through the Heavenly Gate.
Both Ox and Rat get up early and are the first animals to start the journey. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped on Ox’s back to cross the river. When getting close to the Gate, Rat jumped off its back and rushed up to the Jade Emperor. That’s why the Rat ranks first place, and the Ox ranks second. The Pig was naturally casual and slightly lazy, therefore, he was the last one to arrive.
This Chinese zodiac origin story was widely spread in China. Although lacking evidence, it will be fun to tell your family and friends.
After learning the story, you may wonder why the Cat does not exist in the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. It is said that the Cat has made a deal with the Rat that they will participate in the race competition together. But the Rat wanted to possess the position, but he did not wake the Cat up, so the Cat missed the match, and could not get a ranking. And the Rat won first place. After that, the Cat holds grudges against the Rat. Once he sees the Rat, he will chase and bite. The Rat runs anywhere when the Cat shows up.
Chinese culture, especially the Chinese zodiac signs, has a significant impact on other Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Cambodia, and Mongolia. Some of those countries have the same sequence as the Chinese ones, while several countries are different from others.
The Chinese zodiac signs in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. South Korea, North Korea, and Cambodia keep the ranking in the same way. Japanese zodiac signs are also arranged in the same sequence.
Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. In Vietnam, the Rabbit was replaced with the Cat, and the Buffalo replaced the Ox. People in Vietnam believe that Cats are naturally calm and positive, which can drive bad luck away.
Indian zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Lion, Rabbit, Mahoraga (Boa Constrictor), Naja (Cobra), Horse, Goat, Monkey, Redpoll, Dog, and Pig. In India, their zodiac signs are associated with religion, stemming from 12 mythical creatures.
Cambodian zodiac signs in order are: Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, and Rat, which have the same ranking, but the Rat ranks last.
When it comes to the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, most people also think of the Star zodiac signs in Western astrology. The similarity between them is that they are set by the birthday. And 12 symbols have relevance to people’s fortunes and traits.
But they stem from totally different astrological theories. Chinese zodiac signs are derived from China and are based on animals, which are closely related to an agricultural society and play an important role in Chinese culture. The race story was popularly circulated in China and considered the reason for the Chinese zodiac animals’ ranking.
Western astrology is set by relations between constellation positions and the Earth, which originated from Greek mythology. It later developed into an astrological theory based on people’s birthdays.
Although the two systems symbolize different characteristics and fortunes, the Chinese zodiac signs are generalized and used to infer one’s personality and fortune. And it is calculated by birth years. However, the Western zodiac emphasizes individual mentality and behavior, which is based on birth months.
Rat ranks the first of 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Explore more about Chinese horoscope for year of the Rat. Rat people are expected to have good fortune in 2025.
1973, 1985, 1997 are the Ox Years, which ranks 2nd in 12 zodiac years. Good luck will show up in many aspects. Check out Ox horoscope for 2025.
Chinese zodiac Tiger stands for courage and could drive evils away. Want to know more about zodiac Tiger traits or horoscope? Click and check out.
Chinese zodiac year 2023 is one of the years of Rabbit (1987, 1999, 2011...). And the Rabbit is expected to have good luck in 2025.
Year of the Dragon 2024 has passed. 2025 has come up to us, holding good luck for the Dragon. Recent Dragon years also include 1988, 2000, 2012.
Year 2025 is Year of the Snake. Explore more about the Chinese zodiac snake and your horoscope for next year? Check out the following Chinese horoscope for you.
The next Chinese year of the Horse will be 2026, ranking the 7th of all zodiac years. Click and learn more about the Chinese horoscope for the Horse.
Years of the Goat include 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979. Chinese zodiac Goat is often tied to amicable, stable, compassionate, and introverted.
Chinese zodiac year of the Monkey (1980, 1992, 2004, 2016) is number nine in all zodiac signs. Zodiac Monkey symbolizes smart, eloquent, but capricious.
Chinese zodiac Rooster: Learn more about Rooster Chinese zodiac, Chinese horoscope, traits, love compatibility, career, and images in Chinese culture.
Chinese zodiac years of the Dog include 1982, 1994, and 2006. Dog Chinese zodiac in 2025 will be lucky. Check out the Chinese horoscope for zodiac Dog.
Chinese Year of the Pig including 2019, 2007, 1995, and 1983, is the last zodiac year. Pigs should pay more attention to your horoscope in 2025.