2020 Year of the Rat... What Will It Bring?!

Chinese symbol for Rat

2020 is the Year of the Rat, the Year of the Metal Rat to be more precise. So what does it mean? Each of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac has unique characteristics and each year corresponds to one animal. 2020 corresponds to the Rat.

In addition to the twelve year cycle corresponding to each of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, there are Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) which are associated with their own "life force" or "chi".

This energy blends with the corresponding animal to determine that year's fortune.

In 2020, the corresponding element is Metal.

Metal is of course also associated with the color White. The Year of the Metal Rat is therefore also known as the Year of the White Rat.

So what happens when you mix the Rat with the Metal Element?

The Rat is charming and very very bright. Each Year of the Rat marks the beginning of a new 12-year cycle in the Chinese Calendar. Do you know how the animals got their order in the Chinese Zodiac? How come the Rat is the first one? Legend has it that in order to determine the order, a race was held. The Rat came in first and is therefore the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac! How did the little thing manage? You can read the story here, despite the small size, the Rat out-smarted every one else, even the mighty Dragon!

So one of the qualities of Rats is their quick-thinking and street-smarts, with a very charming disposition and a sense of adventure. Rats are persistent and always manage to keep a positive attitude even or specially during hard times. Rats are adaptable and that serves them well in times of adversity as they always strive to look for solutions.

The Metal element, by its very nature, denotes strength, fortitude, stability... Metal seeks to reinforce and invigorate, it provides needed support and reinforcement.

A Metal Rat Year combines a witty, smart and bold Rat with the robust and firm characteristics of Metal, it heralds a year with vast productive and ingenious energy! Take advantage of the invigorating characteristics of Metal to accomplish anything you have been postponing. Metal will give you a boost and the support you may have been lacking to get anything done or even started.

As the beginning of the 12-year cycle, the Year of the Rat denotes a fresh start, a new beginning... This could mean anything from starting a new project, acquiring new habits, rebuilding lost friendships and relationships... It's up to you to make it happen, take all the chances that are presented to you, this is not the time to contemplate and be cautious, you have the wind on your back.

What to watch out for? The bold and shrewd disposition of the Rat needs to be harnessed so it does not become guileful or irresponsible. Make the best of the opportunities and chances life will offer always keeping a good balance. This will be a very intense year and when you are too goal-oriented you might miss the joy of the journey...

After a diligent and harmonious Year of the Pig, the Year of the Rat will be one marked with excitement and new adventures. This is the time to be ambitious and productive! Enjoy!

Babies born in the Year of the Rat

If your baby is born in the Year of the Rat, he or she will assume the characteristics of the Rat: Rats are clever and ambitious with a bubbly personality that will attract many friends and earn respect with their co-workers. With an adventurous streak, Rats are constantly in motion, taking in new projects and getting involved in many undertakings.

Metal Rats take that another notch, besides being smart and ingenious the Metal characteristic will lend even more intensity and endurance. Metal Rat babies will be able to accomplish anything they set their mind to and will always manage to find the support needed to accomplish it.

On the other hand, Metal Rat babies need to be taught to be mindful of others. Being so resourceful and goal-oriented may be conducive to "getting a free ride" from others and detract from everything and everyone else around them. One thing is to be resourceful and clever, but it's another thing when that behaviour becomes tricky and cunning. You will have a very active and ingenious bundle of joy in your Rat Baby!

To be born in the Year of the Rat, babies will have to be born from January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021, the last day of the Rat lunar year. If the baby is born on or before January 24, 2020, he or she will be a Pig Baby, if born on or after February 12, 2021, the baby will be an Ox Baby.

The next Year of the Metal Rat will be in another 60 years.

Get ready for a cheerful and exciting new year and...

Writing the Chinese Character for Rat

The Rat character is made up of 13 simple strokes, almost as easy as last year's 11-stroke Pig character. Just follow the order and direction of these 13 strokes for the Chinese Character for Rat: