In the Chinese zodiac, the Rat is associated with the Water element. Unlike a Western birth chart, your Chinese zodiac sign is determined purely by your birth year — no birth time or location needed.
Element: Water | Birth years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Per traditional Chinese zodiac compatibility triangles, Rat shares natural affinity with Dragon and Monkey. Rat and Horse sit in directly opposing positions on the 12-year cycle, traditionally considered the most challenging pairing.