Chinese Horoscope: What is a Wood Rat and what year is it?
THERE are two types of people in this world - those who religiously read their horoscopes and the people who ignore star signs entirely.
But what about the Chinese zodiac? Repeating every 12 years, the animal cycle includes the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig.
Each of those can then be split into five elements - Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal and Water.
So what exactly is the 'Wood Rat' zodiac sign and what does it represent?
What year is the Wood Rat?
The years of the Wood Rat are 1924 and 1984.
The Rat is the first of the repeating 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac, constituting part of the Chinese calendar system.
The Rat more generally is associated with the midnight hours and therefore represents the beginning of a new day.
Katy Perry and Mark Zuckerberg are two celebrities who were born in the year of the Wood Rat in 1984.
As well as being sociable, Wood Rats are ambitious with their work and are intellectually curious yet independent people.
However, they are also said to be insecure and need reassurance from loved ones.
In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus, and, because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.
Types of Rat
Each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Metal Rat: Smart, talented, hot-tempered, jealous, with a strong sense of self-awareness.
Water Rat: Talkative, shrewd, conservative, and wise.
Wood Rat: Independent, self-confident, virtuous and talented, with a strong sense of teamwork.
Fire Rat: Energetic, brave, quiet, cordial and friendly to their friends, but very strict with themselves.
Earth Rat: Amiable, honest, flexible, modest, serious, with a strong sense of self-esteem.
Compatibility
The Rat is said to be most compatible with the Ox, the Dragon and the Monkey.
According to the , the Rat and the Ox "complement and help one another in both work and life".
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Meanwhile, couples that include a Rat and a Dragon are thought to enjoy success together, largely due to them understanding each other well.
Rats are said to be least compatible with the horse, the Goat and the Rabbit.