The rat is a special symbol in the Chinese tradition. Let's find out why the Chinese New year rat symbol is considered to be so special.
Not many people would like to associate themselves with the picture of the rat outside of the Chinese culture. For the majority of westerners the rat is a tiny, filthy, shady character that dwells in the dirtiest of places. On the contrary the Chinese thinkers known for their observation skills draw a completely different character sketch of the rat.
One of the virtues of the rat is intelligence. The great Chinese thinkers also feel that the rat can be extremely hardworking and resourceful animal together with being in complete command of things. In fact, they are categorized to be perfectionists! These are some of the characteristics that the Chinese philosophers have discovered in Chinese rat people.
As has been the Chinese tradition for ages that each year has a special animal assigned to it. There is a whole system and a legend behind the assigning of the animals to the years. Basically there are 12 animals that function on a twelve year rotation according to the lunar calendar that the Chinese use.
The rat possesses a very special place according to ancient Chinese tradition. Legend has it that the twelve animals that form the cycle were made to compete in a race. All the time the ox was leading the race without knowing that the rat was riding on its back. Just when the ox was about to reach the finish line the rat jumped off his back and secured the first position.
So the whole animal story begins with the year of the rat. Hence when the year of the rat returns it is a very special event because it means that one whole cycle has been completed and a new one has just begun.
The rat thus has proved its mettle in being one of the most innovative and sharp personalities. It is admired for its capability to get into the depth of all sorts of trouble and find a way to achieve success. Intelligence being its key characteristicit finds it easy to get success.
Chinese thinkers have come up with a personality sketch of the rat symbol and thus people now are more in favor of accepting any comparison to the Chinese perception of the rat's persona. However, it is definitely simple to picture why the idea is difficult for the westerners because, the west have their own perception of the tiny creature.
Compatibility issue is a different aspect which is quite mysterious with regards to the twelve animals of the 12-year cycle. The process that led to these connections made by the Chinese philosophers are quite mysterious but they have drawn certain conclusions as to which animal sign is compatible with which other animal and which is not.
Chinese philosophers say that the rat and monkey are well adjusted with each other. But where the knowledge is derived from is a mystery. But still these are the prevailing beliefs in China. For centuries now, the New Year rat is regarded by the Chinese as a symbol of prosperity and protection.
Not many people would like to associate themselves with the picture of the rat outside of the Chinese culture. For the majority of westerners the rat is a tiny, filthy, shady character that dwells in the dirtiest of places. On the contrary the Chinese thinkers known for their observation skills draw a completely different character sketch of the rat.
One of the virtues of the rat is intelligence. The great Chinese thinkers also feel that the rat can be extremely hardworking and resourceful animal together with being in complete command of things. In fact, they are categorized to be perfectionists! These are some of the characteristics that the Chinese philosophers have discovered in Chinese rat people.
As has been the Chinese tradition for ages that each year has a special animal assigned to it. There is a whole system and a legend behind the assigning of the animals to the years. Basically there are 12 animals that function on a twelve year rotation according to the lunar calendar that the Chinese use.
The rat possesses a very special place according to ancient Chinese tradition. Legend has it that the twelve animals that form the cycle were made to compete in a race. All the time the ox was leading the race without knowing that the rat was riding on its back. Just when the ox was about to reach the finish line the rat jumped off his back and secured the first position.
So the whole animal story begins with the year of the rat. Hence when the year of the rat returns it is a very special event because it means that one whole cycle has been completed and a new one has just begun.
The rat thus has proved its mettle in being one of the most innovative and sharp personalities. It is admired for its capability to get into the depth of all sorts of trouble and find a way to achieve success. Intelligence being its key characteristicit finds it easy to get success.
Chinese thinkers have come up with a personality sketch of the rat symbol and thus people now are more in favor of accepting any comparison to the Chinese perception of the rat's persona. However, it is definitely simple to picture why the idea is difficult for the westerners because, the west have their own perception of the tiny creature.
Compatibility issue is a different aspect which is quite mysterious with regards to the twelve animals of the 12-year cycle. The process that led to these connections made by the Chinese philosophers are quite mysterious but they have drawn certain conclusions as to which animal sign is compatible with which other animal and which is not.
Chinese philosophers say that the rat and monkey are well adjusted with each other. But where the knowledge is derived from is a mystery. But still these are the prevailing beliefs in China. For centuries now, the New Year rat is regarded by the Chinese as a symbol of prosperity and protection.
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The traditional Chinese new year rat does not carry the same negative connotations as rats do in western societies. If you ould like to read more about new year animals in China click on the preceding links.
