The Rat and the Five Elements
The Rat: A Water Sign
The Rat sign is of the Water element. Generally, the Water element indicates the potential for a powerful communicator and someone who is able to skillfully manipulate people into seeing a particular point of view. Those born under the Water element are observant and very quick to take advantage of opportunities and harness resources to fulfil their aims. They are also versatile and adaptable, embodying the very nature of Water, which is fluidity.
The Metal Rat – 1900, 1960
Metal Rats look like they are happy-go-lucky and love the limelight. However, beneath the jolly exterior, they are tough as nails and a possible boiling pot of emotions. They are especially adept at concealing their negative emotions such as possessiveness, jealousy and selfishness.
Whether in business or pleasure, Metal Rats often simply focus on what they want and how they can get it, to the exclusion of all else. When things don’t go the way they want, they can be irritable and quick tempered.
Financially, the Metal Rat is not stingy and can spend, though not on frivolous items. He likes people to think well of him so he always dresses well and makes sure his house is as classy and stylish as possible.
Life Lessons:
The Metal Rat should try to be aware of his emotions and control them so that he doesn’t create unnecessary conflict with others. He should also curb his selfishness and possessiveness. He should try to compromise on his own needs and learn to take into account the needs of others. It will make him happier in the long run.
The Water Rat – 1912, 1972
With Water as his natural element and Water as the element of his year of birth, the Water Rat is particularly skilful at the art of persuasion and manipulation. He is mentally quick and agile; an innovative and a strategic thinker, and excellent at finding solutions to difficult situations.
The Water Rat’s ease of adaptability allows him to relate and get on well with people from all walks of life. He also is incredibly intuitive and is able to assess people’s personalities and characters quickly. This allows the Water Rat to accommodate and use each person’s strengths and weaknesses in order to best draw on their support.
People will be automatically drawn to the Water Rat and not even realise that they are being manipulated. Fortunately, the Water Rat is generally empathetic, generous and kind, so while he may be self-centred, it will not be with the malicious intent to harm others. Water Rats are good and charismatic public speakers and writers. They can also be drawn to scholarly pursuits and academia.
Life Lessons:
Water Rats like to talk and if uncontrolled, a loose tongue may get him into hot water! The Water Rat should also realise that his powerful ability to persuade others should be garnered for good use.
The Wood Rat – 1924, 1984
The Wood Rat is well-spoken, popular and successful at whatever he does. He can look at things from a macro perspective and is able to find a way to achieve what he sets out to do. He is skilled at selling; from actual items to ideas to business plans. By his eloquence and persuasive speech, people will be happy to buy in on whatever he’s promoting.
However, despite the confident exterior, the Wood Rat is the most insecure of all the Rats. This insecurity tends to drive the Wood Rat to be extra hardworking and diligent. The Wood Rat is also insecure over what people think of him, so he is always very accommodating and amenable to those around him.
There is also a negative side to this Rat’s eloquence and versatile nature – he will find it easy to be manipulative and this can enhance his tendency to be deceitful or to lie, just to get out of difficult situations and have his way. The flexible quality of Wood people can mean that this Rat uses his versatile nature to be sneaky and not always for positive ends.
Aside from anxiety over his insecurities, he does manage to have a good work-life balance and is generally a happy person.
Life Lessons:
The Wood Rat should not worry so much about what others think of him because most of the time it is unwarranted. He should also be more confident about what the future holds and enjoy being in the present. Stop acting confident and just be confident!
The Fire Rat – 1936, 1996
The Fire Rat is the most active Rat and is naturally a free spirit. He finds it difficult to stay still in one place for long and constantly seeks new pastures. Independence is important to the Fire Rat, so he tends to be resistant to any environment which has strict rules and regulations. Careers which involve travel or anything creative would be attractive to the Fire Rat.
Even on the domestic front, if the Fire Rat finds that he is emotionally suffocating or being pressured, he will look for the nearest exit and get out of the situation. Despite this seeming allergy to responsibility, the Fire Rat is very generous and charitable, making them very attractive.
The Fire Rat is also the most flamboyant and assertive of the Rats. Add being impulsive into the mix and it means that the Fire Rat can get himself into trouble without trying too hard.
Life Lessons:
The Fire Rat should take it easy now and then and settle in one spot long enough to consolidate and rest. The Fire Rat is also known to be rather direct in his speech which may offend some people unnecessarily. If the Fire Rat can learn to be more skilful in his speech, he may be able to achieve more. In general, the Fire Rat should stop and think before he leaps in order to make logical than emotional decisions.
The Earth Rat – 1948, 2008
The Earth Rat is the most grounded and stable of the Rats. He has the general intellect of the Rats without the flightiness; as such, the Earth Rat is able to make sensible and realistic decisions which lead to solid and successful careers and relationships.
Ever the pragmatist, the Earth Rat sticks to whatever is safe and conventional. Unlike his other more impulsive Rat brothers, the Earth Rat prefers to settle down in one place and stay put wherever he is. The Earth Rat is also risk-averse and prefers not to take chances.
Charming and clever, the Earth Rat has many friends. However, while he is not as egoistical as other Rats, he is still sensitive about what others think of him and yearns to be respected. Those who appreciate and respect the Earth Rat is assured of the Earth Rat’s loyalty in return.
Life Lessons:
The Earth Rat can be a perfectionist and be too demanding on others when rushing to fulfil his objectives. He can also stress himself unnecessarily by always comparing his achievements with others. If the Earth Rat is able to relax and not be too competitive, he will find that he is able to achieve success at a steady rate.
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Im fire rat,and thats true when we talk some time its sound harsh to other although we dont meant it😁
I’m wood rat of 1984-7-26, what color is best for me to buy a motorbike?
This is me in every way. I am born in 1996 not sure about my element.
Same 1996. I guess fire rat if you are around nov to dec.
I was born April 1996..
thank you from mr. wood rat 1984
I thank you for your insights – Rat/Water/Metal – it is me to a tee, can you help with further understanding of the interactions of these elements – and some further study into the intracacies of the Rat/Water/Metal personality – I would love to learn more
Thank you
Georgena Russell Law
Hi, May i check with you if i am born in the year of rat or ox, as im born on Feb 6, 1985, which is before Chinese New Year, hence i was made known that im born in the year of Rat instead of Ox. Kindly appreciate your assistance…..
Dear Natalie,
Entering your information in the section below, leads to the result of an Ox. You are an Ox!
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-chinese-zodiac.html
hihihihihi hope all of us will get our best in future
hope will have a better future
and success in whatever all rats done all those acxcopany me at my side……..
i m naughty rat,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Another useful tip to figuring my friends. I had a friend in school days before she was a rat and we got a along smashingly well. It wasn’t scandalous or anything but ox and rat of the opposite gender they do sizzle in a relationship, not as partners though.
yup tat is truth but we cant say all of them are the same…..maybe still have a lot haven seen before so we can just give opinion……………..ppl want listen or nt is their matter n we wont lose anything if gt ppl advise us n keep giving opnion
Oh…I am a Wood Rat, the most insecure among all Rats. This helps me in understanding what I’m good at and what to watch out and improve, many times I saw people use it as an excuse not to change themselves as they said they are born to behave in this way…
we cant say tat we are born to behave this way………if our life is nt good then try to improve ourself no need to compared each other..everyone have their rights…jus dnt blame on parents..learn from mistakes to the right n put all those wrong as a lesson…sure one day will success..have to believe in ourself n knws which position we r standing