Chinese New Year 2008

The Year of the Earth Rat

This year, February 7^th, 2008, ushers in the Year of the Earth Rat. Now, if you are squeamish about the little rodents, try to concentrate on the good qualities their sign is said to bring, instead of on the actual creature. You might be interested to know that in China, the rat (at least as a zodiac sign) is respected and looked upon as courageous and enterprising. Those born in the Year of the Rat, in China, are thought to know exactly where solutions lie. They are seen as people who can easily take care of themselves and their own. "Rat people" are looked upon as able to use their instinctive sense of observation (expert opportunists, if you will) who can help others in time of need and can survive in just about any situation.

But first, a little overview of the Chinese Zodiac. Those who are familiar with these animals might want to find something else to do while the rest refresh their memory with the list.

Twelve animals represent the Chinese zodiac:

Rat (or mouse)

Ox Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Sheep

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

It is no coincidence that the rat is the first animal in the list is significant; as it is the first animal of the Chinese Zodiac as well.

People born in this year (and the year itself) tend to be at the head of the action. This is a year of firsts, if you allow it to be. Of course, our decisions do influence the course of events around our lives to a certain degree. However the Year of the Rat can also have an effect on situations far beyond our immediate lives and area.

Other traits associated with the clever rat are wealth, charm, order, and sometimes aggression. The rat has been viewed as a protector and provider of material prosperity. On the other hand, it has sometimes been associated with death, war, pestilence, the occult and so on.