The Rat is intelligent, popular, and loves partying. He or she is born under the sign of charm. With remarkable ease the Rat makes friends, and influences people. People are genuinely happy to be around the Rat and they feel relaxed in his or her presence. The Rat is a social creature and is interested in others - their activities, problems and interests. The Rat has a good understanding of human nature and his advice and opinions are usually sought after.

Because he (or she) is interested in people, he is very observant and Rats make excellent detectives, journalists, and writers. He excels at Public Relations work , interacting with people., and any job which brings him into contact with people and the media. He is outgoing, somewhat of an extrovert and is so genuinely interested in people that his questions can be abrasive and prying, however, the Rat himself is a very private individual and keeps his feelings to himself. He would greatly resent being asked the kind of questions he dishes out. He feels it is an intrusion into his privacy and none of their business.The Rat is a self-preservationist and is good in a crises. The Rat will almost always come up with a good solution to find his way out of an awkward situation.

The Rat is a hard worker and should he find himself in a bureaucratic job, can become a stickler for routine and discipline. He loves to be where the action is and is very imaginative and full of new ideas. Sometimes the Rat does not get the recognition and credit he deserves because he lacks self confidence enough to instigate his new ideas.

The Rat is gullible and can be taken in by those less scrupulous than himself, partly because he is an opportunist and is always searching for ways to improve his wealth and lifestyle. Since he is energetic, the Rat sometimes squanders his energies and achieves very little because he has spread himself too thin with many different projects. If he were to slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time he could be successful at anything. However, even though talented at many levels, success many times alludes the Rat.

The Rat is very thrifty with money and to others he can appear to be down right stingy. He can be generous to himself though, if not to others. He finds it difficult to deprive himself of luxury items he may really want. He hates wastefulness and never throws anything away. It is contrary to his mentality to refuse an free meal or ticket to anything. The Rat does not waste.

The Rat has loads of charm and people around him are ready to forgive him almost anything. They will forgive him when he is highly critical of others and indiscreet in voicing his honest opinions. The Rat is a good conversationalist, has a bright nature and people think he's a great party guest . The Rat will use confidential information if he feels he must , in order to keep the interest up in the conversation. Don't trust the Rat with secrets.

The Rat will usually have many friends but he will get along best with another Rat as well as the Ox, Dragon and Monkey. He can also get along with the Tiger, Snake, Rooster, Dog and Pig, but the Goat and Rabbit are sensitive souls who will not like the outspoken Rat. The Rat will be too blunt, brazen,and critical for their tastes. The Horse and Rat will probably never take a liking to each other. The Horse's changeable moods and independent nature will upset the Rat's need for a feeling of security and keeping the status quo.

The Rat makes a great relative. He will be a loyal son or daughter, a loving and caring parent and will want a large family. He is family oriented and takes great interest in all family members and their welfare. He does not like solitude and if left alone, he may become depressed.

Rat Love

You are passionate and attentive partner and are not afraid of revealing the depths of your feelings. You are full of highly charged emotions, particularly at the start of a relationship, but if you feel you commitment is not returned, resentment will soon creep in.

You need to be completely involved and cared for - you want to be part of you partner's plans and also share their thoughts. You are easily hurt if you feel your partner has left you out in the cold, and in response you can be petty and difficult to handle.

You are likely to pass through many highs and lows in your relationships, which does make them rather fragile. What you need is security, and once you have been reassured, you are attentive and loving. In fact, you can be great company and love to indulge in life's pleasures but you do not like being reprimanded. You know how to charm, and though romantic game-playing is not your strong point, you also know how to deal with it. It will take time, but when you find someone who gives you the security and love you need, you will be a faithful partner.

Rat Career

You are energetic and versatile and can usually find your way around obstacles. You are able to adapt to various environments; it is not unusual for someone born in the year of the Rat to be involved in several projects besides their main career. You are attentive to your work, and when you are negotiating terms or handling people you can be clever and discriminating, although others may distrust your motives. You are a good tactician, but try to keep colleagues informed in order to maintain their trust.

If you feel your colleagues are not performing to the standard you expect or are not sharing information, you can be over-critical when more patience or understanding might well resolve the situation. Although you are suited to careers involving buying or selling you are advised to concentrate on small-scale projects.

You are suited to a career in sales, accountancy or shop keeping. You would also make a good publisher, writer, musician or outdoor pursuits instructor.

Rat Personality

You are active and intelligent, quick to spot the potential in a situation and skilled at putting your ideas into effect. In unexpected situations you are able to quickly assess both the drawbacks and the possibilities, and while others are wondering what to do you have already taken advantage of the opportunity that lies there. You can be strong-willed and ambitious but be direful not to force your ideas on others; a little consideration will prevent you irritating or alienating friends and colleagues.

In your determination to see projects up and running you can appear to be selfish or stubborn, but you believe in what you are doing and approach it whole heartedly. You are a good and meticulous organizer and like to be familiar with all the available options should an unexpected difficulty arise. You are fair in your dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if you feel you have been deceived or your trust has been abused. Sometimes you set your targets too high, whether in relationship to your friends or in you career, but as the years pass you will become more realistic and tolerant.

You can be open and gregarious in company and are a welcome addition to any party. You are intelligent in conversation, can detect the humour in a situation and are generous with both your compliments and your attention. But if you find yourself in a situation where you feel that you are not being appreciated, a more petty or critical side may emerge. It is important for you to feel secure and you react anxiously when your position is threatened. You want and need to be understood, gut others would be wise not to push or corner you, since those born in the Year of the Rat jealously guard their privacy.

Famous Rats

Alan Alda, Dave Allen, Ursula Andress, Charles Aznavour, Lauren Bacall, Shirley Bassey, Jeremy Beadle, Kenneth Branagh, Marlon Brando, Charlotte Bronte, Chris de Burgh, George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Dick Cavett, Maurice Chevalier, Barbara Dickson, Noel Edmonds, Ben Elton, Albert Finney, Clark Gable, Al Gore,thomas Hardy, Mata Hari, Vaclav Havel, Charlton Heston, Dennis Hopper, Englebert Humperdinck, Jeremy Irons, Glenda Jackson, Jean-Michel Jarre, Gene Kelly, Kris Kristofferson, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lulu, Richard Nixon, Sean Penn, The Queen Mother, Vanesssa Redgrave, Burt Reynolds, Jonathon Ross, Emma Samms, William Shakespeare, Tommy Steele, Donna Summer, Spencer Tracey, the Price of Wales, George Washington, Dennis Waterman, Kim Wilde, the Duke of York.