Rat People in the Year of the Rat

H A P P Y_ C H I N E S E_ N E W_ Y E A R!

We are now officially in the Year of the Rat. According to The Star, Theodora Lau in her book titled The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes said this smallest animal among the 12 would bring plenty of opportunities and good prospects.

Rat years are 1936, 1948, 1960 and 1972. Famous Malaysian Rat personality includes MIC president and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. He turns 72.

How does this Chinese Zodiac come about? Legend has it that before Buddha left this life on Earth, he summoned all the animals. The Rat was the first to turn up, thus he was given the prestigious first position in the Chinese Zodiac of twelve animals. Next came the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and finally the Boar or the Pig.

Those born under this Chinese Zodiac sign are considered lucky as the Year of the Rat has always been thought to be a bountiful one, particularly with a good life likened to “a rat falling into the rice bucket”.

Not all Rats are the same though. Those born in 1936 are said to be openly aggressive by nature and have a penchant for travelling and fashionable clothes.

At the extreme end are those born in 1948 who are said to be very realistic and not at all flashy.

Idealistic in thought, quick in speech and actions and intensely emotional are some of the traits of people born in the year 1960.

And those born in 1972 are said to possess excellent insight and have great people skills.

If you would like to know more, Wikipedia has good information on the Chinese Zodiac, especially on the twelve animals.