🐀 Year of the Rat
The Rat is the first animal of the Chinese zodiac. Recent Rat years are 1996, 2008, 2020, and the next Year of the Rat is 2032.
Rat personality traits
The Rat is the first animal of the Chinese zodiac. People born in Rat years are traditionally described as clever, resourceful and quick to spot an opportunity, with a knack for making the most of what they have.
Strengths
- Sharp mind
- Good with money
- Sociable
- Alert to opportunity
Challenges
- Restless
- Can be calculating
- Overcautious
Legend: In the best-known legend of the Great Race, the Rat rode on the Ox's back and leapt ahead at the finish line to take first place.
Best matches for the Rat
Rat years and elements
Each zodiac year starts on Chinese New Year, so people born in January or early February belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Element | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 💧 Water Rat | February 18, 1912 – February 5, 1913 |
| 1924 | 🌳 Wood Rat | February 5, 1924 – January 23, 1925 |
| 1936 | 🔥 Fire Rat | January 24, 1936 – February 10, 1937 |
| 1948 | ⛰️ Earth Rat | February 10, 1948 – January 28, 1949 |
| 1960 | ⚙️ Metal Rat | January 28, 1960 – February 14, 1961 |
| 1972 | 💧 Water Rat | February 15, 1972 – February 2, 1973 |
| 1984 | 🌳 Wood Rat | February 2, 1984 – February 19, 1985 |
| 1996 | 🔥 Fire Rat | February 19, 1996 – February 6, 1997 |
| 2008 | ⛰️ Earth Rat | February 7, 2008 – January 25, 2009 |
| 2020 | ⚙️ Metal Rat | January 25, 2020 – February 11, 2021 |
| 2032 | 💧 Water Rat | February 11, 2032 – January 30, 2033 |
| 2044 | 🌳 Wood Rat | January 30, 2044 – February 16, 2045 |
Famous people born in the Year of the Rat
- September 9, 1828Russian author (1828–1910)
- February 22, 1732Founding Father and first U.S. president (1732–1799)
- January 27, 1756Austrian composer of the Classical period (1756-1791)
- December 17, 1936266th pope of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025 (1936–2025)
- December 22, 1984Swedish singer, record producer, and DJ
- February 5, 1985Portuguese association football player (born 1985)
- October 1, 1924President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 (1924–2024)
- June 12, 192441st President of the United States (1989–1993)
- May 7, 1840Russian composer (1840–1893)
- January 9, 1913President of the United States from 1969 to 1974 (1913–1994)
- February 8, 1828French writer (1828–1905)
- June 23, 1912English computer scientist (1912–1954)
- February 23, 1960Emperor of Japan (born 1960)
- June 9, 1672Tsar/Emperor of Russia from 1682 to 1725
- November 14, 1948King of the United Kingdom since 2022 (born 1948)
- October 17, 1972American rapper, record producer and actor
- October 30, 1960Argentine football player and manager (1960–2020)
- April 21, 1864German sociologist, philosopher, and political economist (1864–1920)
- March 20, 1828Norwegian playwright and theatre director (1828–1906)
- June 29, 1900French writer and aviator (1900–1944)
- May 14, 1984American Internet entrepreneur
- April 2, 1840French novelist, journalist, playwright, and poet (1840–1902)
- September 29, 1936Italian media tycoon and politician (1936–2023)
- April 5, 1588English philosopher (1588–1679)
All Chinese zodiac animals
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Rat?
Recent Rat years include 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032, 2044. Each Rat year starts on Chinese New Year, which falls between January 21 and February 20.
When is the next Year of the Rat?
The next Year of the Rat after 2026 is 2032, running from February 11, 2032 to January 30, 2033.
Which animals are compatible with the Rat?
Traditionally, the Rat is most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey, Ox.