What to expect in the Year of the Rat

What to expect in the

Year of the Rat!

In many Western countries rats and mice are simultaneously considered to carry disease and also to be cute. Similarly, in China, whilst the animal itself is still unwelcome, as the first of the twelve zodiac signs rats are actually very auspicious. So what lies ahead this new year? Read on to find out what kind of energy the Rat will be bringing you!

In China, the new year is calculated according to the lunar calendar (农历; Nónglì). Although the Gregorian calendar is standard, the lunar calendar dictates the dates of traditional Chinese holidays and helps people choose auspicious days for important life changes such as weddings, funerals, moving house or starting a business.

Chinese New Year should be the new moon closest to the beginning of spring (in the northern hemisphere), known as Lìchūn. Most of the time Chinese New Year will fall 11 (sometimes 10 or 12) days earlier than the previous year. If that means that the event would be outside of the Chinese New Year range of January 21 to February 21 (in the Gregorian calendar), a leap month must be added so Chinese New Year jumps 19 (sometimes 18) days later. A leap month will be added this year, 2020.

The current Chinese year (4718) is the Year of the Rat, starting on January 25th 2020 and lasting until February 11th 2021.

The rat is the first animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Rat include 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, and 2032.

According to traditional astrology, lucky signs for people born in the Year of the Rat include:

Lucky Numbers: 2, 3
Lucky Colors: Gold, blue, green
Lucky Flowers: Lily, African violet, lily of the valley
Lucky Directions: Southeast, northeast

Those born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be good with money, excellent business people, sophisticated and popular. On the downside, rats can be poor at communicating, stubborn and picky.

Traditionally, the year of the sign you were born under is unlucky, so if you were born in a Rat year, be extra careful. Remember to wear red every day to attract good luck! Chinese often wear bracelets made of red cord, left on for the whole year, or you could choose red underwear or socks. However, 2020 isn't too bad for Rats, and while you should pay attention to your health, you will have great success in your career!

Rats are a symbol of wealth, surplus and fertility. As the first animal of a 12-year cycle, they also symbolise renewal, so 2020 will be a year of new beginnings and success for all types of endeavours (relationships, politics, business deals etc) and a prosperous, healthy, lucky year for almost all zodiac signs. 

Of course, it might all just be myth and superstition.  The most important thing to keep in mind is balance, no matter what the year or which animal sign you are. As long as you are paying attention to your health, balancing fun and work, and striving each day to be a better person both to yourself and others, you're likely to fare well no matter what the multiverse throws at you!

Remember!  No matter what any astrological system says, your destiny will always be first and foremost shaped by your intentions!

Chinese New Year - A day by day breakdown!

Spring Festival 101 - Useful words and phrases!

Traditional Chinese Culture - The past rekindled

Events coming from Cultural Keys in Spring