The Chinese culture has a special space for the rat symbol. Let us explore about the Chinese New Year rat symbol and it’s special characteristics.
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 control 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.
According to the Chinese culture and traditions, each New Year has an animal allotted to it. Behind it are a long process and a legend that follows the assigning of such special animal symbols to the years. But as the lunar calendar goes, there are basically twelve animals that are repeated after every twelfth year.
In the Chinese cultural heritage, the rat holds a position of honor and reverence. According to the Chinese history, the twelve animals that rotate based on the lunar calendar were made to contest in a race. From the initiation of the race, the ox was leading but he was unaware of the fact that the rat was riding on his back all the while. When the ox was about to complete the race first, the rat hopped off his back and took the victory.
The year of the rat marks the beginning of the whole animal myth. Hence, when the year of the rat reappears, it is rare occasion because it means that an entire cycle is completed and a new one has started.
The rat is thus famous for his creative persona and stewardship. The cunning animal is admired for its ability to dig through all sorts of trouble and find a way to achieve its purpose. Sharpness of mind is a key feature of the rat’s personality.
Chinese philosophers 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 easy 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 respect to the twelve animals of the 12-year cycle. The process that led to these connections made by the Chinese philosophers are quite unknown but they have devised 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 information 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.
The Chinese new year rat doesn’t hold the same negative associations as rats do in western countries. If you ould like to read more about new year animals in China click on the preceding links.
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