Wood Rat
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1924, 1984, 2044
Animal 1 of 12 · Water · Yang
The Rat
Quick wit, resourcefulness and an eye for opportunity.
Position in cycle1 of 12
Fixed elementWater
Yin or yangYang
Hours governed23:00–01:00
SeasonWinter
Lucky numbers2, 3
Lucky coloursblue, gold, green
Strength. Spots an opening before anyone else and moves on it. Rarely caught unprepared.
Friction. Hoards — money, information, contacts — and can be quietly opportunistic about people.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Rat holds 23:00–01:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Rat as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Adaptable
Shrewd
Charming
Restless
Acquisitive
Rat years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Fire Rat | 24 January |
| 1948 | Earth Rat | 10 February |
| 1960 | Metal Rat | 28 January |
| 1972 | Water Rat | 15 February |
| 1984 | Wood Rat | 2 February |
| 1996 | Fire Rat | 19 February |
| 2008 | Earth Rat | 7 February |
| 2020 | Metal Rat | 25 January |
| 2032 | Water Rat | 11 February |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Rats
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Rat and a Fire Rat are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Fire Rat
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1936, 1996
Earth Rat
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1948, 2008
Metal Rat
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1960, 2020
Water Rat
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1972, 2032
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Rat recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Rat year is 2032.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Rat compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Monkey | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Ox | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Tiger | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Dog | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Rat | Same sign | 72% |
| Snake | Neutral | 68% |
| Goat | Neutral | 68% |
| Pig | Neutral | 68% |
| Rabbit | Square — friction | 60% |
| Rooster | Square — friction | 60% |
| Horse | Traditional clash | 45% |