Year of the Rat: what Rat people are like

The Rat opens the zodiac cycle, and people born in its year often have the energy of someone first in line. In the old story of the great race, the Rat crossed the river on the Ox's back and hopped off just before the finish, which was clever and a little cheeky.

Born in January or early February? Check the Lunar New Year date for your year.

What Rat people are like

Rat people tend to notice things first. They read a room quickly, remember who likes what, and often have a plan before anyone else has finished their coffee. Take these as tendencies. Your birth year is one way of looking at yourself among many, and what you do with it is up to you.

• Curious and quick. A new idea, a new café, a new shortcut home: Rats like to find out.
• Resourceful. Give a Rat a half-empty fridge and a tight deadline, and something good usually appears.
• Loyal to their circle. Rats are often the friend who keeps the group chat alive and remembers birthdays.
• Sociable but selective. Lots of people know a Rat, and only a few get to know one well.

Their minds can run ahead of everyone else's. When a Rat slows down long enough to explain the plan, people are happy to follow.

Good company

In the traditional pairings, the Rat shares a trio with the Dragon and the Monkey. The Dragon has big-picture courage and the Monkey has playfulness, while the Rat supplies the practical plan. The Ox is often called the Rat's secret friend, steady while the Rat is busy and glad of the company.

Any two animals can be good friends, of course. The old pairings are a fun way to start a conversation.

A small thing to try this week

Pick one person you've been meaning to message and send them something small: a photo that reminded you of them, a song, a two-line hello. Rats usually keep friendships warm without thinking about it. This week, do it on purpose and see how it feels.

In Slipmatic

Press the button on the Robo-Booth ’84 and it prints a slip on how your Chinese year sits with today. With Slipmatic Plus, a fresh slip for the Rat is waiting every morning.

For entertainment and reflection.