Rat and Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac: What Does it Mean? (Simple Explanation for Beginners)

Well, well, well, let’s talk about this rat and rooster thing. You know, them animals in that Chinese calendar thingy. They got a whole bunch of ’em, and they go ’round and ’round, every 12 years. I heard that people think you act like the animal of the year you was born in. That’s kinda funny, ain’t it?

That rat, they say it’s the first one. Some kinda smarty-pants, I reckon. They say it means you’re s’posed to be wise and have lots of money. And you’re the first one, like winning a race or somethin’. Heard they start that whole 12-year thing over with the rat. Like a new beginning, I suppose. Back in my day, we just had regular years. Years of the Rat include 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, they said. Seems like a long time ago.

Now that rooster, he’s a whole other story. Tenth in line, I heard. They say he means you’re supposed to be faithful and always on time. Like a good clock, I guess. Roosters is important, waking everybody up with all that cock-a-doodle-dooin’. Some folks think that’s a good thing, a sign of good luck or somethin’. It’s like he’s chasin’ away the dark. I’ve seen a lot of roosters in my time, runnin’ around the yard.

These two, the rat and the rooster, they can get along, I suppose. But they’re different, real different. The rat’s all sneaky and smart, always thinkin’ up some scheme. The rooster, she’s more old-fashioned, you know? Likes things done a certain way. They gotta learn to understand each other, or there’s gonna be trouble.

• That rat, he’s good with money. Saves it up, I guess. That’s a good thing, you know. Makes life easier, not having to worry all the time.
• Rooster likes to be the best at everything. That can be good, too, I suppose. Makes ’em work hard.

But sometimes, they just don’t see eye to eye. Like two folks speakin’ a different language. They gotta try to understand each other better. That’s what they say, anyway. They can be good if they care about each other. But they gotta work at it, you know? Ain’t nothin’ easy in this life. You gotta put in the effort.

That Chinese horoscope, it don’t tell you everything. It can’t say for sure if these two will have a fight or not. But folks say that Rat and Rooster Compatibility is not very high. It’s like sayin’ you never know what’s gonna happen. Life’s full of surprises, ain’t it? One day it’s sunny, the next it’s rainin’ cats and dogs.

Rat and rooster, they’re like night and day, some might say. One’s runnin’ around in the dark, the other’s crowin’ at the sun. But maybe they can find somethin’ in common. Maybe they can learn from each other. That’s what I always say, you can learn somethin’ from everyone, even a rat or a rooster.

They say the rooster is full of big dreams. Always reachin’ for the sky, I guess. That ain’t a bad thing. It’s good to have dreams. Keeps you goin’, you know? Keeps you young at heart. Even when you’re old as dirt, like me.

So, this rat and rooster, they can make it work if they try. If they’re patient with each other. If they listen to each other. That’s the key, I think. Listenin’ is important. More important than talkin’, sometimes.

They said that Water Rat Rooster is a thing. What a weird name. But whatever, it just means that these two can get along well if they understand each other. Sounds good, right?

Years of the Rat, they come and go. Years of the Rooster, same thing. Time keeps on marchin’, no matter what. You gotta make the best of it, I say. Enjoy the good times, and get through the bad times. That’s all you can do. Rat or rooster, it don’t matter. We’re all just tryin’ to get by, ain’t we?

Well, that’s all I got to say about that rat and rooster business. It’s a lot to think about, ain’t it? But don’t you worry your head too much about it. Just be yourself, and be good to others. That’s all that really matters in the end. That’s what I always say. And I’ve been around a long time, so I reckon I know a thing or two.