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The Rat (Chinese:鼠) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and
bringer of material prosperity. It is the first of the 12-year cycle
of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese
calendar. Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order,
yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and
atrocities. The Year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch
symbol 子.

In Chinese, the word 鼠 may refer to either the rat or the mouse.
Therefore, in this context, Year of the Mouse and Year of the Rat are
interchangeable terms.

Years and the Five Elements

The Rat portrayed in the Zodiac Fountain in Almaty
The Rat statue portrayed in the Kowloon Walled City Park in Hong
KongPersons born within these date ranges can be said to have been
born in the "year of the Rat," while also bearing the following
elemental sign:

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are most leaders,
pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic,
practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great
leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and
systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same
time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen
and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include
money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find
their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily.
A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend
for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective
when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends
whom they trust.

Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and
controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the
cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions,
which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both
emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be
very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises.
Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about
exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to
learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail,
intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid
forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and
expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if
they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused.
Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to
their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will
become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense
of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well,
Rats can find true happiness.

According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point
in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt.
Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything
they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is
said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night.
Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships
and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves
against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling,
alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.

Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing,
politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work, acting, and
pathology.

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2 February 1984 - 19 February 1985: Wood Rat

In traditional Chinese philosophy, Wood is classified as one of the Wu
xing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng), or the Five Elements, also
translated as five phases, five movements or five steps, by which all
natural phenomena can be explained. The system of five elements was
used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena.
It was employed in many fields of early Chinese thought, including
seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy and Feng shui, astrology,
traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese alchemy, music, military
strategy and martial arts. The original foundation for the idea is
based on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.

Wood is yang or masculine in character, it is associated with
springtime, the east, the planet Jupiter, the colors brown or green,
and with windy conditions. Its Primal Spirit is represented by a Green
Dragon.

Attributes
In Chinese thought, Wood attributes are considered to be strength and
flexibility, as with bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of
warmth, generosity, co-operation and idealism. The Wood person will be
expansive, outgoing and socially conscious. The wood element is one
that seeks always to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of
life, springtime and buds, sensuality and fecundity. Wood needs
moisture to thrive.

In Chinese medicine, wood is associated with negative feelings of
anger or depression, and positive feelings of patience and altruism.
Organs associated with this element are the liver (yin) and the gall
bladder (yang), the eyes and the tendons.

In Chinese astrology wood is included in the 10 heavenly stems (the
five elements in their yin and yang forms), which combine with the 12
earthly branches (or Chinese signs of the zodiac), to form the 60 year
cycle. Yang wood years end in 4 (eg 1974), while Yin years end in 5
(eg 1975). Wood governs the Chinese zodiac signs Tiger, Rabbit and
Dragon.

Although it traditionally is not included in the Western scheme of
elements, some western astrologers have suggested that wood should be
recognised as a 'combined element' or 'material' derived from Fire and
Water; just as Jupiter rules the Fire sign of Sagittarius and the
Water sign of Pisces.


Cycle of the elements
In the regenerative cycle of the elements, Water engenders Wood, as
rain or dew makes plant life flourish; and Wood begets Fire as fire is
generated by rubbing together two pieces of wood. In the conquest
cycle, Wood overcomes Earth by binding it together with the roots of
trees; and Metal overcomes Wood, as the metal ax can fell even the
largest tree.

---
In traditional Chinese philosophy, Water is classified as one of the
Wu xing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng), or the Five Elements, also
translated as five phases, five movements or five steps, by which all
natural phenomena can be explained. The system of five elements was
used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena.
It was employed in many fields of early Chinese thought, including
seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy and Feng shui, astrology,
traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese alchemy, music, military
strategy and martial arts. The original foundation for the idea is
based on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.

Water is yin or feminine in character, its energy is downward and its
motion is stillness and conserving. It is associated with the planet
Mercury, the north, winter and cold, darkness, night and the colour
black. It is also associated with the moon, which was believed to
cause the dew to fall at night. It is also believed to govern the
kidneys, ears and bones. The negative emotion associated with water is
fear, while the positive emotion is calmness. Its Primal Spirit is
represented by the Black Tortoise.

In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and
wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy; however, an over-abundance
of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and
sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can
also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land. In the
birth and nurturing cycle, water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal.
In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome
by earth.

Water also plays an important role in Chinese Astrology. In Chinese
astrology water is included in the 10 heavenly stems (the five
elements in their yin and yang forms), which combine with the 12
earthly branches (or Chinese signs of the zodiac), to form the 60 year
cycle. Yang water years end in 2 (eg 1992), while Yin years end in 3
(eg 1993). Water governs the Chinese zodiac signs Pig, Rat and Ox.