2008 Chinese Zodiac: Earth Rat

Earth Rat personality

Quick-witted, resourceful and charming.

The Rat is the first animal of the Chinese zodiac. In the traditional story the Rat won the great river race by riding on the Ox and jumping ahead at the finish, which is a fair summary of its character: clever, adaptable and good at spotting opportunities.

Earth years add stability, practicality and loyalty. Earth people tend to be dependable, patient and grounded.

Strengths: Intelligent and adaptable, Resourceful problem-solver, Charming and sociable, Good with money, Quick to see opportunity. Watch for: Anxious, Overly cautious or calculating, Can be manipulative when stressed, Hoards time or money, Gossip-prone.

Read the full Rat guide for love, career and compatibility.

Born early in 2008?

The Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar calendar, so a January or February birth often belongs to the previous animal. In 2008, Chinese New Year fell on February 7, 2008. Anyone born before that date is a Fire Pig instead. See the Pig guide.

2008 zodiac year facts

• Chinese New Year 2008 fell on a Thursday, February 7, 2008.
• The Rat year lasted 354 days, slightly shorter than a calendar year.
• Anyone born in the first 37 days of 2008 (January 1 to February 7, 2008) belongs to the previous sign.
• People born in 2008 turn 18 or 17 during 2026, depending on their birthday.
• The same Earth Rat combination appears every 60 years: previously in 1948.

Other Rat years: 1984, 1996, 2020. Each has a different element, which colors the animal's traits.

Rat compatibility

The Rat is traditionally most harmonious with Dragon and Monkey, and tends to clash with the Horse.

Near 2008, the Rat's harmonious partners were born in: Dragon: 2012; Monkey: 2004.