Happy Chinese New Year! 3 fun facts and a tip on how to celebrate the Year of the Rat

China is celebrating: it’s the year of the Rat, whose beginning is honoured all over the country with concerts, dance performances, festivals, and the traditional release of the lanterns on January 25 for Chinese New Year. According to Mandarin astrology, 2020 will bring prosperity: the Rat is a symbol of fortune and life, new beginnings and growth in personal relations. How can we approach this celebration so strongly felt yet so different from our common interpretation of the Zodiac signs? Here are some facts to take into account before beginning the festivity.


How do I know if my sign is the Rat?


The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac, followed by the Bull, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each sign is repeated every 12 years and it starts its rule on January 23 with the beginning of the Chinese New Year.
The first year of the Rat was 1900, followed by 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948 and so on, up to today’s date. Those born in those years, belong to the “rodents” sign and are celebrated in 2020.


How do I calculate my Ascendant?


Chinese astrology, like ours, has a corresponding Rising sign, or the Ascendant, which determines the temperament. The signs are associated with 5 elements – Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth – which are repeated every 60 years.

This means that those born under the sign of the Rat in the years 1900, 1960 and 2020 are associated with Metal, and they have common distinctive traits, such as a sharp mind and talents, but are also temperamental and impetuous (to the point of often being extremely jealous).


The characteristics of the Rat


Kind, versatile, and especially an amazing source of ideas: those born under the sign of the Rat are resourceful and are constantly surprising. Excellent observers, they can also count on a wide ranging imagination. They are trusted friends and great colleagues. But, better not ask them to wake up early in the morning: just like their namesake animal, they love the nightlife and staying up late!


I am a Rat: this is my lucky year!

Not really … According to Chinese astrology, the year of one’s zodiac sign brings on some amount of misfortune! This comes from an old legend: the God of the Tai Sui era is known to take umbrage every time a year corresponding to his own animal begins. But there is an antidote, actually two: the first one is to receive from a relative the gift of something red to keep by your side all year long. The second trick is to buy something that represents the Rat! And is there a better rodent than Mickey Mouse to help us accomplish this mission? We at Original Marines have dedicated to it a truly legendary capsule collection and it’s yours with a discount up to 70% from originalmarines.com. This way, not only you’ll be super lucky, but also way fashionable.
Happy year of the Rat, or better yet:

Xīn nián kuài lè!