The Chinese Year of the Rat

People born under the Chinese sign of the Rat are lucky! Rats are intelligent and great with people, surrounding themselves with many friends. The Rat's natural charisma ensures they are the centre of attention at social gatherings. They keep their friends too as they are very loyal.

Rat people enjoy the good things in life, fine clothes, wines and gourmet food. However, they can have a mean streak, they don't waste money and have an eye for bargains. They are astute in financial matters and will have money tucked away for emergencies.

People born under this sign are fortunate. They are talented, ambitious and often successful in business. However, they need to avoid taking on too much at one time as they can run out of energy before completing a project.

Rats can keep secrets as long as they are their own. They do have a tendency to gossip and can readily give away other people's secrets. But Rats are so charismatic that nobody is angry with them for long.

There are twelve signs in Chinese astrology. To learn about the other Chinese signs, click on the link below.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart the earth he summoned all the animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear the name of one of the animals.

Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign.

Chinese Years:
February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster
January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey
February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat
February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse
January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake
February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon
February 6, 1999 - February 4, 2000: Rabbit
January 28, 1998 - February 5, 1999: Tiger
February 8, 1997 - January 27, 1998: Ox
February 19,1996 - February 7, 1997: Rat
January 31, 1995 - February 18, 1996: Pig
February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995: Dog
January 23, 1993 - February 9, 1994: Rooster
February 4, 1992 - January 22, 1993: Monkey
February 15, 1991 - February 3,1992: Goat
January 27, 1990 - February 14, 1991: Horse
February 6, 1989 - January 26, 1990: Snake
February 17, 1988 - February 5, 1989: Dragon
January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988: Rabbit
February 9, 1986 - January 28, 1987: Tiger
February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Ox
February 2, 1984 - February 19, 1985: Rat
February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984: Pig
February 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983: Dog
February 5, 1981 - January 24, 1982: Rooster
February 16, 1980 - February 4, 1981: Monkey
January 28, 1979 - February 15, 1980: Goat
February 7, 1978 - January 27, 1979: Horse
February 18, 1977 - February 6, 1978: Snake
January 31, 1976 - February 17, 1977: Dragon
February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976: Rabbit
January 23, 1974 - February 10, 1975: Tiger
February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Ox
February 15, 1972 - February 2, 1973: Rat
January 27, 1971 - February 14, 1972: Pig
February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971: Dog
February 17, 1969 - February 5, 1970: Rooste
r January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969: Monkey
February 9, 1967 - January 29, 1968: Goat
January 21, 1966 - February 8, 1967: Horse
February 2, 1965 - January 20, 1966: Snake

Author: Tony Luck who runs a website with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. The site includes the interesting chinese birth chart which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart which estimates when the baby will be born.