2008 Year of the Rat – 50 Traits of Rats

2008 will be the Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac calendar..

Other animals in the 12 year Chinese cycle are – Tiger (my younger son), Dragon, Horse, (that's me!) Monkey, Dog (my older son), Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep (my wife) , Rooster and this year's Pig.

The Chinese new year begins on February 7th. Until then, new babies in China are pigs. Japan starts the new animal on the first of January.

How old will you be this year? If your age can be divided by 12 into a round number then you are a Rat. Or if you are born in 2008.

Too hard? Will you be 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 or 108 this year?

You are a rat. Get over it.

What are the attributes of the Rat?

1. First in the Chinese 12-year cycle

2. protector

3. bringer of material prosperity

4. aggressive

5. associated with wealth, charm and order

6. also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence and atrocities

Rats are:

7. leaders

8. pioneers

9. conquerors

10. charming

for the other 50 see

2008 Chinese Year of the Rat – 50 Characteristics

How much stock do you place in the zodiac?

Me…absolutely none.

Most of these traits could be said about anyone born in any year, I think.