Year of the Rat

According to Chinese zodiac signs, the Rat is the first animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle order. The most recent year of the Rat is 2020, and the next Rat year is 2032. People born in the Year of the Rat are considered witty, easy-going, alert, and intuitive.

If you are interested in more details of the Year of the Rat, keep reading this article to find out the Chinese Year of the Rat horoscope prediction and learn specifics about what the 2026 year of the Snake holds for you.

Table of Contents

Chinese Zodiac Rat Years

Want to find out if you are a Rat? The recent Chinese zodiac years of Rat include 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032, etc.. If you were born in one of those years, you are probably a Rat, in most cases. However, if you were born in early January in one of the above years, it's possible that you are a Pig. To be more specific, if you were born on January 6, 2020, your Chinese zodiac animal is a Pig, instead of a Rat.

Wonder why? According to Chinese tradition, the Chinese zodiac signs are set by the Chinese Lunar New Year. Chinese Lunar New Year (the Spring Festival) is the most important and ceremonious festival in Chinese culture. The Spring Festival falls on January 1 of the lunar calendar, usually between January 21 and February 20 of the Gregorian calendar. The zodiac year usually comes after the Gregorian New Year.

A Rat year will appear every 12 years. For Rat people, your Chinese zodiac year comes when you are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84…. In China, we call the zodiac year Ben Ming Nian. Ben Ming Nian refers to the years your zodiac sign belongs to. For instance, the year 2024 is the Chinese zodiac year of the Dragon as well as the Ben Ming Nian of the Dragon people. If you are a Rat, then 2020 is one of your Ben Ming Nian. Due to the zodiac cycle, your next Ben Ming Nian will be in 2032.

What are the years of the Rat? Check out the following table about Chinese zodiac Rat years and precise dates. Find out your real zodiac without using any Chinese zodiac calculators.

Years & Dates for Chinese Zodiac Rat

Zodiac Rat Horoscope 2026 (Year of the Horse)

As the 2026 year of the Snake is about to come, everyone moves toward 2026 with anticipation. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and the Rat and the Horse clash mutually; therefore, the zodiac Rat is about to enter a relatively challenging year.

The Rat clashes with the Tai Sui (Guardian God of the Year) in 2026, so the overall trend tends to be not as smooth as in 2025. Affected by Fan Tai Sui (offending Tai Sui God), the Rat needs to pay more attention to their careers. Although you can gain appreciation from leaders, you still should be cautious about disputing and managing your relations with colleagues.

Married Rats should avoid getting involved in quarrels with their partners in their relationships. In this new year, single Rats may meet some people, but most of them may be your unwanted encounters. Except for exhaustion, rats tend to get headaches or suffer from insomnia in general health. It is advisable to enjoy the outdoors and adjust your state in time.

Browse the following details about the Year of the Rat horoscope in 2026.

Love & Relationships

With the new year coming, Rat people will be lucky in love. For single people, you tend to have a big crush on someone special, and you are more likely to be together. Take the initiative and ask her/ him out to strengthen your bonds. And a positive date conversation can leave a nice impression.

But for married people, it is necessary to be alert to someone else. Stay calm and keep your nose clean. Besides, Rat people tend to be emotional in 2026; therefore, it is quite essential to be patient when communicating with your spouse. Also, keep an eye on each other’s mood situation, elevate mood, and alleviate nerves.

Career

The Rat will face both opportunities and challenges at the same time in terms of career. You may be ambitious in the new year, but being affected by Sui Po, Lan Gan, and some negative stars, it tends to be difficult to achieve goals. And the plans may get postponed, or something drops the ball in crucial moments. Therefore, it requires you to be resilient and summarize the points to adjust your state based on specific circumstances, which can help you embrace a positive turning point. In addition, be cautious of some corporations and do not get yourself involved in conflicts at the workplace.

Wealth

The general wealth horoscope does not run so smoothly as in 2025. Daily expenses can be maintained by your income. However, Rat people are easy to trust someone else and make some negative decisions, which may lead to some economic losses. Rat men should pay attention to the potential disputes caused by the deterioration of partnerships. By contrast, Rat women’s conditions tend to be steadier. Rational consumption and cautious investments should still catch your notice.

Health

Compared with the horoscope in other respects, the physical condition is relatively stable. You are not likely to face any sticky problems in health concerns. Even during the busiest period, it just makes you exhausted. After appropriate relaxation, you will refuel your strength. But you should pay more attention to your mental health and emotional steady. Do some outdoor sports to maintain a stable emotional equilibrium. When driving outside, take some security precautions in case of accidents.

Lucky Things for Rat Zodiac

Lucky Things

Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 6
Lucky Colors: gold, white, blue, and green
Lucky Flowers: lily, African violet
Lucky Directions: west, northeast, southeast

Unlucky Things

Unlucky Numbers: 0, 5, 9
Unlucky Colors: brown, yellow
Unlucky Directions: south, east

Chinese Zodiac Rat Personality Traits

In Chinese astrology, folks usually associate different types of zodiac animals with various personalities. Agile, resourceful, prudent, and diligent could be used to describe Rat people. In Chinese culture, the Rat is also recognized as thrifty and adept at managing money, so people who are born in the Rat year are expected to thrive.

Chinese zodiac Rat traits could be versatile and observant, which offers you an edge to slide through all kinds of social situations. You are gregarious enough, and that’s why the Rat could make lots of friends and enjoy getting involved with associates.

Strengths of Rats

The characteristics of Rats are intelligence, quick-wittedness, responsiveness, and high adaptability. Rats are observant enough to capture changes and rapidly adapt. You are creative and love to try new things, not being satisfied with where you are. Progress is the thing that you are always seeking. The personality of the Rat tends to be optimistic, sociable, and able to make friends with different kinds of people. You usually have a great sense of humor and are able to fix problems in an amusing way.

Weaknesses of Rats

Sometimes, Rat's personality tends to be too cautious to make decisions decisively. In addition, rat people focus too heavily on details to lose sight of the bigger picture. It seems like you are suspicious sometimes, which has an impact on relationships and cooperation. All in all, rat people are intelligent, flexible, and creative individuals, but they need to make adjustments to decision-making and trust.

Rat Man Personality

Rat men are usually considered to be intelligent, quick-witted, flexible, and creative. They are adaptable and can rapidly find the crux of problems and fix them. Rat males tend to have strong instincts and are able to foresee potential problems and prepare for them in advance. Rat men's personality is diligent, having a strong sense of responsibility to take their work seriously. Suspicion and caution sometimes make them more meticulous when handling matters. They like to socialize with people and are skilled in communicating. But they may also show some stubbornness and egoism sometimes.

Rat Woman Personality

Rat women are usually regarded as intelligent, tactful, and having remarkable insight. They are observant enough to adjust and adapt rapidly to new environments and situations. Rat women tend to be independent, and they like to cling to their goals and dreams. A careful personality allows them to nail every detail. Chasing logic and rationality lets them set a high standard in life.

The Rat females are sympathetic, helpful, and sensitive at times, preferring a harmonious environment and trying to avoid conflict. At work, the Rat women can take on responsibilities with hard work. Stubbornness could be a common problem for the Rat, embodied in various respects in different people. In terms of relationships, they are popular and can establish good relationships with people.

Chinese Zodiac Rat Traits Based on Five Elements

While Rat natives have many things in common, their personalities may vary according to the Chinese Five Elements Theory. Check out the table below and have a clearer idea of your specific Rat traits.

Chinese Zodiac Rat Compatibility

Love compatibility among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs is a part of traditional Chinese culture. According to the Five Elements, the zodiac compatibility of marriage or career is predictable. Of all matches, Ox, Dragon, and Monkey are most compatible with Rat. Check the following information and find out which one is more suitable for you.

Best Matches: Ox, Dragon, Monkey

Rat and Ox Compatibility: Rats are witty, sociable, and prize freedom. Oxen are diligent, loyal, and down-to-earth. The combination of the two sides can keep a balance. The liveliness of the zodiac Rat can close the gap between the stubbornness of the zodiac Ox. The calmness of the latter could provide a sense of security for the former. According to Chinese astrology, the elements of the two sides form a mutually beneficial relationship, which will contribute to family harmony and support each other in career and financial luck. Both sides are willing to attach importance to the family, which can maintain a stable marriage.

Rat and Dragon Compatibility: Both the Rat and the Dragon have an open attitude and are full of enthusiasm for life. They share the same resonance, to have endless topics to talk about. Dragon is generous, and Rat is meticulous, forming a complementary pattern. They can work together to overcome all difficulties and have a stable relationship. Rat people are skilled in seizing opportunities. Dragon people have talents of leadership, which offer an inspiration for each other, and they can face challenges together.

Rat and Monkey Compatibility: Zodiac Monkey also suits the Rat because the Monkey is lively, sociable, and smart, with rapid reactions. The Rat tends to be good-looking. The love between the zodiac Rat and Monkey is mutually complementary, easily contributing to a successful marriage. Besides, Rat people tend to appreciate the liveliness of the Monkey people, which is perfect for the Monkey. They also appreciate the intelligence of the Rat. Therefore, the worship of each other will push the development of relationships.

Worst Matches: Horse, Goat, Rooster

Rat and Horse Compatibility: Rat people are cautious, introverted, and inclined to be stable and regular. Instead, Horse people are enthusiastic, bold, and casual. When they get along with each other, differences in personality and lifestyle are likely to cause conflicts. Being in the natural environment, both Horses and Rats need to search for food and water. When resources are limited, they will fiercely compete with each other, also affecting work, business, and relationships.

Rat and Goat Compatibility: People born in the Year of the Rat are brilliant and adaptable, focusing on interests and careers, while those who are born in the Year of the Goat are gentle and kind, keeping focus on emotions and interpersonal relationships. Therefore, huge differences will lead to friction. When Rat and Goat meet in the workplace, they tend to become competitors. Competitive pressure in nature between them will lead them to hurt each other.

Rat and Rooster Compatibility: A Rat clashes easily with a Rooster. Because the Rat is innocent, paying attention to the taste, while the Rooster is fastidious, focusing on reality and money. Rather different requirements for feelings and life are likely to cause disagreements and conflicts. Rooster people are considered so straightforward that Rat people's feelings may get hurt. Likewise, the subtlety of Rat will also make Rooster feel irritated, owing to poor communication and misunderstandings.

Career Guide for Rat People

1. Technology Research
The Chinese zodiac Rat is skilled in improving their learning and comprehension abilities in favor of rapidly grasping new knowledge in the field of technology research. Applying the new knowledge to practical work and expressing unique ideas could help them win appreciation from leaders and colleagues.

2. Management Work
Increased rights for the Rat people, who are in the management field, could bring good luck. Those who are smart and talented enough are likely to get promotions in their fields, so as to make full use of their talents and accomplish goals.

3. Sales Work
It's suitable for Rat people working in sales or the business field. Strong communicative ability could help Rats build more relationships in favor of getting promotions in business running and raising income.

4. Creative Work
Rat is skilled both in research and innovation aspects, which is suitable for innovation fields, like advertising, design, media, and so on. They could seize the chance and take advantage of innovative talents to gain some achievements in the workplace.

Rat in Chinese Culture

Rat ranks first of 12 Chinese zodiac animals; however, its image is prone to being negative. Because rats usually steal food, eat clothes, spread illnesses, etc.. In most idioms, history, and folktales, the Rat is prone to being ugly, cowardly, and short-sighted. But they still have positive sides in some ancient folktales.

1. Symbol of Intelligence
In Chinese traditional culture, the zodiac sign Rat was recognized as witty, flexible, and intelligent. The Rat is also seen as the symbol of astuteness. They are observant enough to quickly capture and adapt to changes in new environments. In some ancient stories, the image of the Rat also symbolizes intelligence because they could beat other animals wisely.

2. Symbol of Wealth
Rat in Chinese shares the same pronunciation as rich, so it is often regarded as a symbol of wealth in traditional Chinese culture. People believed that longevity rats imply longevity and good fortune.

3. Symbol of Creativity
It's said that when the universe was in chaos, the world was dark and lacking fresh air. At this moment, a brave mouse came out at midnight and bit the chaotic world, allowing the air to flow freely. Since then, the universe got its start. This legend first appeared in Chinese literature, Guangyangzaji (Miscellaneous Records of Guang Yang) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which symbolized that the mouse has the ability to create the world.

4. Symbol of Vitality
In ancient China, the Rat was also recognized as the Sub-God. Due to its high fertility, the Rat is also a spiritual sustenance for the ancient folks, who have the concept of More Children and more Happiness. Therefore, in Chinese folklore, a female having a high fertility rate is called Rat Fetus or Rat Belly.

Why the Rat Ranks First in Chinese Zodiac

In Chinese culture, the Chinese zodiac signs are divided into 12 animals, ranking in a fixed sequence and having different personalities. It’s said that the reason why the Rat would rank first in the 12 zodiac animals is that the Jade Emperor wanted to choose guards from 12 animals. All kinds of creatures participated in the competition to strive to be among the first to pass through the Heavenly Gate.

Both Ox and Rat got up early, and they were the first ones 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 (Yu Huang Shang Ti), and that's why it won first place.

Of all the luckiest zodiac animals, the Rat must rank first, too. They are constantly associated with being astute and tactful. Although small, they could land on their feet.

Famous People Born in the Year of the Rat

Chinese Zodiac Rat Vocabulary & Idioms