The Rat
Chinese Zodiac · Early Winter · North
Rat quick reference
Fixed Element
Water
Season
Early Winter
Direction
North
Planet
Mercury (Water)
Flower
Lily
Body Part
Bladder, kidneys
Rat Personality Traits
Wealth through cleverness and timing
Compatibility
Most Compatible
🐲 Dragon, 🐒 Monkey, 🐂 Ox
Trine Group
🐲 Dragon, 🐒 Monkey
Clash Animal
🐴 Horse
Secret Friend (Six Harmony)
🐂 Ox — a natural, effortless alliance.
Lucky Numbers & Colors
Lucky Numbers
2, 3
Lucky Colors
Blue, Gold, Green
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rat Chinese zodiac personality?
The Rat is known for being Clever, Adaptable, Quick-witted, Resourceful, Charming, Observant. Its fixed element is Water and it governs the hours of 11pm–1am. Wealth through cleverness and timing
What Chinese zodiac signs are compatible with the Rat?
The Rat is most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey, Ox. The trine group (San He) partners are Dragon and Monkey — the most naturally harmonious grouping. The six-harmony secret friend is the Ox. The clash animal is Horse.
What years are Rat years?
Rat years recur every 12 years. The Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year (late January or early February), not January 1st. Always check the lunar calendar for borderline birth dates.
What element is the Rat?
The Rat's fixed element is Water. In addition, each Rat year has a heavenly stem element that varies — meaning a person born in a Rat year may be a Water Rat, Wood Rat, Fire Rat, Metal Rat, or Earth Rat depending on their birth year. Arcanavana calculates your exact element from your birth date.
Beyond your year animal
Your full BaZi Four Pillars chart reveals your Day Master, Ten Gods, and Luck Pillar cycles — far deeper than your year animal alone.