Year of the Rat

Rat personality

The Rat opens the twelve-year cycle. People born in Rat years are traditionally seen as quick-witted, resourceful and observant — sharp with money and detail, and quick to spot an opportunity others miss. Sociable on the surface but private about their plans, Rats are natural savers who dislike waste. That same appetite for security can tip into worry or over-caution.

The Rat and the five elements

Each Year of the Rat carries a different heavenly-stem element, so no two Rats are quite alike. The current cycle’s 2032 is the Water Rat.

• Wood Ratgrowth-minded, generous and cooperative, taking the long view
• Fire Ratdynamic, passionate and bold, quick to lead
• Earth Ratgrounded, patient and dependable, building to last
• Metal Ratdisciplined, determined and principled, holding a firm line
• Water Ratintuitive, adaptable and persuasive, reading people well

Rat birth years and ages

Each zodiac year recurs every 12 years, with a different heavenly-stem element each time. Ages are the age reached during the year.

Rat compatibility

Traditional matches follow the trine (San He), the secret-friend pair (Liu He) and the clash (Liu Chong), all set by the Rat’s place in the twelve-year cycle.

Trine — natural allies

Dragon and Monkey. Signs four places apart share the Rat’s pace and outlook, and tend to understand each other quickly.

Secret friend

Ox. The single strongest one-to-one bond — supportive even when the two are not in the same trine.

Clash — most tension

Horse. The opposite sign, six places away — not doomed, but the pairing that asks for the most communication and patience.

The Rat in Singapore

In Singapore, a Rat year opens with the Chinatown street light-up along Eu Tong Sen and New Bridge Road themed to the Rat, and the animal appears on ang bao packets, bak kwa tins and mandarin-orange gift boxes. Chinese New Year itself is a two-day public holiday here.