Saturday, April 2, 2011

Characteristics Of The Oriental New Year Rat

By John Chan


The rat holds a special place in Chinese tradition. Find out about the Chinese New Year of the rat and why it is considered to be so special.

People wouldn't happily receive any associations made with the rat in particular because it is an animal that is associated with filth,shadiness and minute structure. Westerners wouldn't really go with getting linked to a rat. On the contrary, Chinese thinkers who are famous for their observational skills would completely prove you wrong and give a different character analysis of a 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 creature together with being in complete command of things. In fact, they are classified to be perfectionists! These are some of the characteristics that the Chinese philosophers have discovered in Chinese rat people.

As per the Chinese culture, for decades now each year has a specific animal suggested to it. A lot of study and historical background as to what animal should be assigned to which year. But as the Chinese people follow the lunar calendar, there are twelve animals that function every twelfth year in rotation as used by the Chinese.

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.

Thus, it seems that the entire animal history begins with the symbol of the rat. Hence, after the completion of every twelfth year, a cycle gets over and a whole new cycle begins with the year of the rat.

Hence, we see that the rat is well-known for his innovative character and intelligence. This shrewd animal can burrow into any kind of problem and find a path to succeed in its aim. Hence, it is admired for its sharpness and intelligent personality.

On reading the character sketch drawn up by Chinese philosophers one would actually not feel that bad if one's personality was to be compared with the Chinese perception of the rat's personality traits. Nonetheless the idea is difficult to imbibe for the west because of their own traditional perception of the animal.

Yet another feature about the twelve animals of the lunar cycle that might be contradictory and interesting is the compatibility question. What led to these connections is still quite unfamiliar, but the Chinese thinkers do have reasons for their beliefs about which animal is compatible to which one or whether they will have fights

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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