Year of the Rat

This is my year, I suppose. I am a Rat (born in 1972). The Year of the Rat is the first year in a 12 year cycle. Most compatible with a Monkey, Dragon, or Ox. My husband is a Sheep, which is apparently neutral with a Rat. My sister, though, is a Monkey. As a Graduate Assistant, I worked for a Professor in the Education Department that was Chinese. She invited me to a traditional Chinese New Year's celebration. The celebration was located in the dark back room of a typical Chinese restaurant. Larry and I were the only non Chinese folk in the room. It was very interesting, and as you might guess, the food is nothing like our American-Chinese food. I sat through a 12 course meal of more entrails than I care to recall. I did, however, come away from the event with a new appreciation for the Chinese New Year and traditions.

I remember the first time I saw the Chinese Zodiac. I was a kid sitting in a Chinese restaurant analyzing the paper placemat before me which was covered with the Chinese Zodiac and Symbols. I quickly looked it over, hoping to be something cool like a Dragon or Tiger, or even a Bunny. I was so disappointed to be a Rat. My first thought was that rolly, polly, Templeton in Charlotte's Web.

Of course, this is for entertainment value only. I don't give a whole lot of credence to the idea of lumping every person born in a particular year as having the same personality. I think that is highly unlikely. Not to mention I know a lot of people born in 1972 and well.....they are just as different from me as someone born in any other year.

But, since I am a naturally inquisitive person, and have a love of the fantastic and ancient philosophies....I have done a little Rat synopsis:


Rats are both charming and aggressive. They appear calm and well balanced on the surface,but underneath, they are restless and a little nervous. Rats are compatible,hard working, and they know how to hang on to a penny. They are never without admirers. They are very appealing.They have a bright and happy personality,and this keeps them busy socially.They love parties and other large gatherings. They like belonging to exclusive clubs and will often have a close circle of fellow conspirators.They like involvement and are very outgoing. Rats cherish friends and loved ones. For this reason,they often get entangled with others' problems and lives.

Rats love money and are quite shrewd where a buck is concerned. It is a hard task to separate Rats from their money. However, Rats can be very generous when their loved ones are concerned. Relatives are always welcome. Rats are definitely clannish and clever. With all these people around, Rats always find tasks for them to earn their keep. People will be put to work quickly in the Rat's house. Rats know how to keep a secret, if it's their own,but they are adept at finding out what others try to keep to themselves, and Rats wouldn't be above using the information if it were to their benefit.

One can always tell when Rats are upset. They become edgy, very nervous, and quite nagging. Rats are always taken by a bargain. They often buy things they don't need and tend to save everything. Souvenirs and sentimental odds and ends are found tucked away everywhere.

Since they make it a point to know everything about everybody, Rats are excellent writers. They have a good memory and are extremely inquisitive. Rats can be successful in almost everything they try to do. They easily adapt themselves to the situation at hand. They are at their best during any crisis and are great problem solvers. Rats are very level headed and are also very alert. Their intuition is strong and are always on the lookout for opportunities to better themselves. Rats seldom get into jams they can't escape since they cover themselves well in advance.They have a built in alarm system.

One of the Rat's biggest fault is that they try to do too much at once. They often scatter their energies and get nothing accomplished. Once they learn to finish what they have started,there is no stopping them from being successful. The Rat must also watch those fast deals and those great bargains. In these areas their judgment may fail them. They must not become too greedy,or they will suffer a financial blow or two.

Rats have great respect for their parents and dote on their own children. They love their home. Family life is very important to them. Rats born during the evening are tempted to a more hectic life than those born during the day.

Rats learn early, quickly, and are avid readers. They know how to express themselves well-both written and orally. Given the slightest chance, Rats can make a success of their lives.

Famous Rats: Charlotte Bronte, Truman Capote, Catherine I, Prince Charles, Peter the Great, Mata Hari, Scarlett Johansson, Wolfgang Mozart, Plato, William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, George Washington