Year of the Rat
The Rat is sign number 1 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Rat year are traditionally described as resourceful, quick-witted, adaptable and sociable. Its fixed element is Water, and each Rat year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Rat
| Lucky numbers | 2, 3 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Blue, Gold, Green |
| Lucky directions | West, Northwest, Southwest |
| Less favourable numbers | 5, 9 |
| Less favourable colors | Yellow, Brown |
| Less favourable directions | South, Southeast |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Dragon, Monkey |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Ox |
| Clash (六冲) | Horse |
| Harm (六害) | Goat |
| Punishment (刑) | Rabbit |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Rat years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | Water Rat | Feb 18, 1912 – Feb 5, 1913 |
| 1924 | Wood Rat | Feb 5, 1924 – Jan 23, 1925 |
| 1936 | Fire Rat | Jan 24, 1936 – Feb 10, 1937 |
| 1948 | Earth Rat | Feb 10, 1948 – Jan 28, 1949 |
| 1960 | Metal Rat | Jan 28, 1960 – Feb 14, 1961 |
| 1972 | Water Rat | Feb 15, 1972 – Feb 2, 1973 |
| 1984 | Wood Rat | Feb 2, 1984 – Feb 19, 1985 |
| 1996 | Fire Rat | Feb 19, 1996 – Feb 6, 1997 |
| 2008 | Earth Rat | Feb 7, 2008 – Jan 25, 2009 |
| 2020 | Metal Rat | Jan 25, 2020 – Feb 11, 2021 |
| 2032 | Water Rat | Feb 11, 2032 – Jan 30, 2033 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Rat?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Rat the lucky numbers 2, 3 and the less favourable numbers 5, 9.
What colors are lucky for the Rat?
Lucky colors for the Rat are Blue, Gold, Green; less favourable colors are Yellow, Brown.
Which signs are most compatible with the Rat?
The Rat forms a harmonious trine with the Dragon, Monkey and a “secret friend” pair with the Ox. Its classical clash is with the Horse.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.