Year of the Rat

As the first in the cycle of 12 Chinese zodiac signs, people born in the Year of the Rat are natural leaders with a strong drive for success. According to legend, the order of the cycle was decided by all animals racing across a river to the Jade Emperor. Seeking a faster route, the Rat and the Cat snuck onto the back of the Ox. Wanting to avoid competition, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water during the crossing, causing it to lose its place in the cycle and making them sworn enemies ever since. When approaching the bank, the Rat jumped from the back of the Ox, winning the race and its place as first sign of the zodiac cycle.

Rats are charming and hard working perfectionists. They are motivated by a desire for material success, making them thrifty but usually very successful. Rats are one of the most intelligent of the zodiac signs, with a strong sense of curiosity and a powerful imagination. They enjoy taking on responsibility, but can take on more than they can handle as they push towards success.

2008 is the Year of the Earth Rat. Earth Rats are very stable, establishing solid roots early in their lives as a strong basis for their future successes. They take a slow and steady approach to acquiring wealth and influence, avoiding risks which could compromise their achievements.

Rats make good politicians, lawyers, detectives, engineers and authors.

What sign in the Chinese Zodiac are you?

Rat 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008
Ox 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009
Tiger 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010
Rabbit 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011
Dragon 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Snake 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Horse 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014
Goat 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015
Monkey 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004
Rooster 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005
Dog 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006
Pig 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007

 

People born in the Year of the Rat include:

  • Louis Armstrong (1900)
  • Gene Kelly (1912)
  • Marlon Brando (1924)
  • Doris Day (1924)
  • Burt Reynolds (1936)
  • Shirley Bassey (1937)
  • Olivia Newton-John (1948)
  • Donna Summer (1948)
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948)
  • Hugh Grant (1960)
  • Kim Wilde (1960)
  • Sean Penn (1960)
  • Wakin Chau 周華健 (1960)
  • Sammi Cheng Sau-Man 鄭秀文 (1972)
  • Jude Law (1972)
  • Eminem (1972)
  • Will Liu 劉畊宏 (1972)
  • Leo Ku Kui-Kei 古巨基 (1972)
  • A-Mei 張惠妹 (1972)
  • Ashlee Simpson (1984)
  • The Veronicas (1984)
  • Stephanie Cheng 鄭融 (1984)

 

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