Year of the Rat tattoo
The Chinese zodiac Rat is 鼠 (shǔ). It is the first of the twelve animals, and people born in Rat years are quick-witted, resourceful and charming.
shǔ
The Rat · Chinese zodiac
What 鼠 means.
鼠 is the word for both rats and mice; in the zodiac it is always read as the Rat.
- Character
- 鼠rat, mouse
- Traditional
- Written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese
- Born in
- 属鼠“born in the year of the Rat”
- Year branch
- 子the Earthly Branch of Rat years
- Fixed element
- Water 水
Years of the Rat
- 1936Fire Rat
- 1948Earth Rat
- 1960Metal Rat
- 1972Water Rat
- 1984Wood Rat
- 1996Fire Rat
- 2008Earth Rat
- 2020Metal Rat
- 2032Water Rat
In everyday use the animal changes at Chinese New Year, between 21 January and 20 February; Chinese astrology changes it at the start of spring, around 4 February. If you were born in January or early February, your sign may be the previous year's animal; the Chinese element calculator works it out from your exact birth date.
Lucky matches and clashes
The Rat shares a “three harmonies” group with the Dragon and the Monkey, the signs that bring the Rat luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Horse, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
About the Rat in Chinese
What is the Chinese character for the Rat?
The zodiac Rat is 鼠 (shǔ), meaning rat, mouse. It is written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese.
Which years are Rat years?
1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 and 2032. In everyday use each year begins at Chinese New Year (between 21 January and 20 February), and in Chinese astrology at the start of spring (around 4 February), so a birthday in January or early February may belong to the previous sign.
How do you say “born in the year of the Rat” in Chinese?
属鼠 (shǔ shǔ). 属 means “to belong to”, so 我属鼠 (wǒ shǔ shǔ) is how a Chinese speaker says “I was born in the year of the Rat”.
Which signs go well with the Rat?
The Rat shares a “three harmonies” group with the Dragon and the Monkey, the signs that bring it luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Horse, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
What element is the Rat?
The Rat's year branch, 子 (zǐ), belongs to Water. Each Rat year also has its own element from the year's last digit: 2020 was a Metal Rat. Your personal element in Chinese astrology comes from your full birth chart, which the free element calculator works out.
Is 鼠 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes. 鼠 is the real character Chinese speakers use for the Rat, and as a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.