Happy Chinese New Year to My Fellow Rats!

Tomorrow celebrations will be held for the year of the rat!!! So to all my fellow rats out there, this post is for you where we’ll take some time to learn a little about the Chinese Zodiac as well as some fun ideas to celebrate it!

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To start off, let’s discuss what the Chinese zodiac even is. It’s actual orgins are foggy at best but the story itself revolves around 12 animals. These included the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, and Pig. There are several versions of the story, told by anyone from the Jade Emperor to the Buddha but the basics is that the animals are invited to the palace for either a dinner party or a race. On the way, The Rat came firt because he road on the nose of the Ox.

While I’m not Chinese, I found that my zodiac animal is pretty accurate, and it’s kind of fun to see all the celebrations in Chinatown!

I got the following information from ChineseNewYear.

There are different elements tied to the rat depending on the year. For me, I my element is wood. but this year the element is metal. Metal rats are know to be These Rats tend to be reliable and live a stable life. They may hold some power and are able to turn unlucky events into fortune.

Men born in the Rat year are clever and adapt quickly to new environments. They are creative great at taking advantage of opportunities. However, they sometimes lack the courage to do so. Although they have great ideas, they might not be suitable for leadership positions.

Women born in the Rat year are the traditional women. They love keeping things organized and place great value on the family. Everything is taken care of by them and there is no need for their husband to worry. Outside of home, they’re also someone with a sense of responsibility and ability.

People born in the year of the Rat are most compatible with people born in the years of the Ox, Dragon, and Monkey. Shortly after my husband and I got married I found out that he is an Ox. Elementally The Rat is linked most with water while the Ox is linked more with the earth, so we complement and help one another in work and in life, and I would say that’s been pretty true.

In work, it says that Rats are great for creative jobs such as being an author, editor, and an artist (which probably explains why I’m an artist) because they enjoy independance and imagination. Joining a team can actually block their creative outlet which I’ve found to be true for me. Rats also pay attention to fine detail. They are fit for technical work, such as engineering and architecture.

Happy Chinese New year to My Fellow Rats!!! by autumnbecomes.me

Personality and characteristics

Optimistic and energetic, people born in the Rat year are likable by all. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but are stubborn with your opinion. Their personality is kind, but due to weak communication skills, their words may seem impolite and rude.

On the financial side, they like saving and can be stingy. However, their love for hoarding will sometimes cause them to waste money on unnecessary things.ElementYearFortuneMetal1960, 200These Rats tend to be reliable and live a stable life. They may hold some power and are able to turn unlucky events into fortune.Water1972, 2032These Rats encounter hardships in the early days. They become successful during their middle ages and create a happy family. However, relatives and close friends may weigh them down.Wood1924, 1984These Rats are multi-talented. They are strong-willed andalways finish what they begin.Fire1936, 1996These Rats have high IQs and EQs. They are average during youth, develop well in the middle ages and have great fortune later in life.Metal1948, 2008These Rats are good speakers. They’re the mood makers of a group, but can be slightly possessive. They face difficulties in their youth, but are generally able to withstand them.

Health and lifestyle

Since childhood, Rats have frail health. They have energetic personalities, but tire quickly. They catch colds often, but thankfully do not have serious illnesses.

They are sensitive to change in temperature. Not only is cold weather unbearable for them, they also can’t stand hot weather. But despite seeming weak and not being able to perform hard physical work, they enjoy longevity.

Rats can eat anything, whether they are delicacies or plain food. However, they should pay attention to their diet. Many times, they will get too into work and forget to eat. Going long periods without food and suddenly bingeing cause problems in their digestive system. Enemies of their health also include smoking and drinking habits.

For a healthy life, Rats must remember to eat breakfast, do moderate exercise and remain cheerful.

Happy Chinese New Year to My Fellow Rats!!! by Autumnbecomes.me

and if you want to see more celebrities check it out HERE.

If you are looking to Celebrate the year of the Rat, here are some ideas to think about!

1.) You can wear the color Red: Red is a symbol of luck, joy and happiness, celebration, vitality, and fertility.

2.) Check out New Year Festivities in your local Chinatown: Boston has an amazing Chinatown that really has a lot of fun celebrating.

3.) Sweep the House: From Dec. 23 in lunar calendar to Chinese New Year Eve, people carry out a complete sweeping of the house. People sweep the floor, furniture, and walls and throw away something old, which means to sweep away bad luck and welcome New Year. However, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, sweeping houses is never recommended because it means sweep away good luck and wealth of the New Year.

4.) Eat Dumplings: Eating dumplings is an essential part of Chinese New Year activity. Dumplings, representing reunion, harmony and wealth in Chinese culture, are made with minced meat and vegetables wrapped in a round and elastic dumpling skin in the shape of Chinese silver ingot. Generally, almost each family member helps to make dumplings together and talk with each other at the same time. Minced pork, fish, diced shrimp, tofu and vegetables are most popular stuffing.

5.) Have friends and family over: If you’re looking for a fun reason to throw a party this would be a good one. It’s a great chance to catch up and have great food.

So if you’re a Rat like me, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! If you want me to check out your celebrations tag me on your social media pictures or let me know in the comments below! Have a wonderful day and a great rest of the year! -Heather Autumn

Happy Chinese New Year to My Fellow Rats!!! by autumnbecomes.me