The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition, shared here for reflection, not as a prediction or a Buddhist teaching.
1996
Fire Rat
鼠 (shǔ) · Rat year 1 of 12
When the 1996 zodiac year began
In 1996, the Lunar New Year fell on Monday, February 19, 1996. The year of the Fire Rat ran from that day until February 6, 1997.
If you were born between January 1 and February 18, 1996, your animal is the Pig (Wood Pig, the 1995 year). People born from February 19, 1996 onward belong to the Rat.
The Fire Rat
In tradition, Fire is linked with warmth, passion and enthusiasm. Each animal comes around every 12 years, and with the five elements the same combination returns every 60 years. The Rat is traditionally linked with being quick-witted and observant. Read more about the Rat in Chinese tradition.
A practice for the Rat
Slow down before you decide: three calm breaths turn quick wits into wisdom. Try the 3-minute morning practice.
Not sure of your animal? Enter your full birth date in the zodiac animal finder.