Monday Mar 23, 2026
Bing Wu Year, Xin Mao Month, Bing Shen Day

Year of the Rat

鼠 (Shǔ)
year of the rat

Rat is a cheerful, sociable and humorous sign with a special sensitivity and a keen observation. People of Rat sign are conceited yet mostly versatile and refrained in expressing feelings. They practice thrift and are less liberal of their money. Rat people usually meet dangers calmly and have a superior ability to defeat opponents. However, they can misjudge due to temptation and fall into someone else's trap; as long as they are not greedy, life can be promising for them. Weaknesses: a little timid, suspicious and conservative, shortsighted and less insightful on some issues.

  • 鼠 (Shǔ)
  • Zi (子)
  • Yang
  • Water (Shui)
  • Avalokiteshvara, The Buddha of Compassion
  • Southeast
  • West
  • East

Things that will bring rat luck:

  • 2, 3
  • Blue, Golden, Green
  • Southeast, Northeast
  • Lily, African violet, Lily of the valley
  • Garnet

Things that rat should avoid:

  • 5, 9
  • Yellow, Brown
  • West

Rat Years

Year When Stem-Branch Element Yin Yang
1924 Feb.5, 1924 – Jan.23, 1925 Jia Zi Wood Yang
1936 Jan.24, 1936 – Feb.10, 1937 Bing Zi Fire Yang
1948 Feb.10, 1948 – Jan.28, 1949 Wu Zi Earth Yang
1960 Jan.28, 1960 – Feb.14, 1961 Geng Zi Metal Yang
1972 Feb.15, 1972 – Feb.2, 1973 Ren Zi Water Yang
1984 Feb.2, 1984 – Feb.19, 1985 Jia Zi Wood Yang
1996 Feb.19, 1996 – Feb.6, 1997 Bing Zi Fire Yang
2008 Feb.7, 2008 – Jan.25, 2009 Wu Zi Earth Yang
2020 Jan.25, 2020 – Feb.11, 2021 Geng Zi Metal Yang

Rat Love Compatibility

Love relationship tends to be less satisfactory for people of Rat sign. Despite the good luck with the opposite sex which brings them many friends of the opposite sex, Rats often take an indulgent and negative attitude in love and tell tales. They are so jealous that they may do something bad because of jealousy and ruin their own reputation. Hence, the Rat sign is suggested to control themselves in love relationship.
  • Ox, Dragon, Rabbit
  • Horse, Rooster

Rat Horoscope in 2026

2026 for the Rat - Year of Clashing with Tai Sui, Seek Stability Amid Change
In 2026, those born in the Year of the Rat will face the challenge of "clashing with Tai Sui," resulting in noticeable fluctuations in fortune. Career-wise, changes are likely, such as position adjustments, team restructuring, or environmental shifts. Maintaining flexibility and carefully considering important decisions is advised. Finances may be volatile; while regular income remains relatively stable, extreme caution is needed in investments, avoiding high-risk ventures. In relationships, singles might encounter short-lived romances, and married couples should beware of quarrels over trivial matters—communication is key to resolving conflicts. Health-wise, pay special attention to cardiovascular issues and accidental injuries. Regular health check-ups and caution during travel are recommended. 

The Fate Code of Rats Born in Different Years

Not all Rat years are the same. According to the Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and the "Nayin" Five Elements, each Rat year, occurring every 12 years, has its unique "destiny." Do you want to know which kind of Rat you or someone around you is? Check out their fate code below!
 
1948 (Wu Zi Year): The Rat in the Granary 
Nayin Five Elements: Thunder Fire
 
Personality & Fate: Intelligent and clever by nature, destined for wealth. Husband and wife live in harmony, with great prosperity in later years. Women of this sign are virtuous and capable, destined for success.
 
1960 (Geng Zi Year): The Rat on the Beam
Nayin Five Elements: Wall Earth
 
Personality & Fate: Steady and capable by nature, possessing dignity and authority. Suitable for starting a business in a foreign land, capable of building a career from scratch. Spouses can support each other, with great potential in later years.
 
1972 (Ren Zi Year): The Rat on the Mountain
Nayin Five Elements: Mulberry Wood
 
Personality & Fate: Kind-hearted and compassionate by nature, but often toils inwardly. Encounters minor setbacks in early years, but enjoys adequate food and clothing in middle age. Prefers to do things themselves, can gain a capable spouse, but has a distant relationship with siblings and relatives.
 
1984 (Jia Zi Year): The Rat on the Roof
Nayin Five Elements: Sea Metal
 
Personality Traits: Intelligent and clever, of good character, learns quickly, but sometimes lacks persistence, leading to learning many things without mastering any.
 
Life Destiny: May suffer from minor illnesses and misfortunes in early years, with a shallow connection to family, but enjoys good friendships outside. They possess both strategy and empathy, suitable for careers in creativity, business, or technology. If they can be steady and methodical, middle age (after 40) will be their golden period for career. In marriage, spouses know how to respect and tolerate each other, making a well-matched couple.
 
1996 (Bing Zi Year): The Rat in the Field
Nayin Five Elements: Ravine Water
 
Personality Traits: Bold and meticulous, with leadership skills and strategy, but sometimes impatient, yet kind at heart. They appear cheerful and enthusiastic on the surface but are sensitive and profound inside, good at observing and calculating.
 
Life Destiny: Luck is mediocre in early years, requiring hard work; after middle age, they gradually achieve success, with great luck in later years. However, they must remember that "loose lips sink ships" and that staying content with their lot is key to happiness.
 
Special Note: Men are relatively gentle in personality, while women may be more capable and forthright.
 
2008 (Wu Zi Year): The Rat in the Granary
Nayin Five Elements: Thunder Fire
 
Personality Traits: Calculating and intelligent by nature, proficient in both civil and martial arts, capable of both kindness and assertiveness, with great schemes. Steady and upright in personality, strong adaptability, tactful in dealing with people.
 
Life Destiny: Although talented, they receive little help from family and need to rely on their own will to build a career. Career development will be relatively smooth, with prosperous wealth, but attention should be paid to the health of the spleen and stomach system. Spouses are affectionate, and later years are greatly prosperous—a destiny for success.
 
2020 (Geng Zi Year): The Rat on the Beam
Nayin Five Elements: Wall Earth
 
Personality & Fate: Respectful and stable by nature, lacking nothing in food and clothing throughout life. They finish what they start, can turn misfortune into good luck, and often receive help from benefactors. Good at managing the household, capable of prospering the family.