Year of Earth Rat

In Chinese lunar calender, 2008 is the year of rat and the rat is earth rat. According to Chinese fung Shui, the year of rat is the year of instabilities. The international relations tension will be increases, stock market will be fluctuated and natural disasters will be increased.

Singapore-based Chinese astrologer Tony Tan, a former broker at DBS Securities, predicts Asian equity markets would turn in losses in the Year of the Mouse.

Tan expects markets to bottom out in April, a "dangerous" month for stocks because of clashing elements. Prices may rebound as the Year of the Mouse continues, without setting new highs, he said.

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs.

Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily.

A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.


The Rat was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese lunar calender.

Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities. The year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch symbol.

In Chinese, the word 鼠 may refer to either the rat or the mouse. Therefore, in this context, Year of the Mouse and Year of the Rat are interchangeable terms.