1996 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Fire Rat
丙子 · 鼠 Shǔ
1996 is the Year of the Fire Rat. The Chinese year ran from Feb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997, so anyone born in that span is a Fire Rat. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 19, 1996, and earlier births belong to the Wood Pig year.
- Rat
- Fire
- Yang
Born in 1996?
Enter your birth date to check, down to the exact Lunar New Year.
Month and day are optional. Add them if you were born in January or February. See January and February Chinese zodiac.
1996 at a Glance
- Animal
- Rat 鼠 shǔ
- Element
- Fire
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 丙子 · sound element 涧下水
- Begins
- Monday, Feb 19, 1996
- Ends
- Feb 6, 1997
- Age in 2026
- 29 or 30
- Next Rat year
- 2008
1996 Fire Rat Turns 30
People born in 1996 reach 30 in 2026. Before checking traits, check the date: Lunar New Year 1996 fell on Feb 19, 1996, one of the latest possible, so every birthday from January 1 to Feb 18, 1996 is a Wood Pig.
The year name 丙子 carries the sound element 涧下水, “water in a mountain stream,” in Chinese tradition. In 2026 the Horse year sits opposite the Rat on the zodiac wheel.
Born in January or Early February 1996?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1996 was on Monday, Feb 19, 1996, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 18, 1996 | Wood Pig | 乙亥 |
| Feb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997 | Fire Rat | 丙子 |
So someone born on Feb 18, 1996 is a Wood Pig, and someone born on Feb 19, 1996 is a Fire Rat. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Fire Rat?
A Fire Rat combines the Rat with the element of the birth year. 1996 ends in 6, which gives Fire. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Fire Rat years include 1936.
How Old Is a 1996 Rat, and When Is the Next Rat Year?
Someone born in 1996 turns 30 in 2026 and 31 in 2027. The last Rat year was 1984, and the next is 2008. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Rat years a 1996 Rat lives through:
- 1996Fire RatBornThis page
- 2008 Chinese zodiacEarth RatTurns 12
- 2020 Chinese zodiacMetal RatTurns 24
- 2032Water RatTurns 36
1996 Rat Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Rat's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1996 Rat in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Rat to the next two years, and how old a 1996 Rat will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 30. Link to the Horse: Clash (冲太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 31. Link to the Goat: Harm (害太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1996, and the other years of the decade.
- 1994 Chinese zodiacWood DogFeb 10, 1994 to Jan 30, 1995
- 1995 Chinese zodiacWood PigJan 31, 1995 to Feb 18, 1996
- 1996Fire RatFeb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997
- 1997 Chinese zodiacFire OxFeb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998
- 1998 Chinese zodiacEarth TigerJan 28, 1998 to Feb 15, 1999
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1990 Chinese zodiac1991 Chinese zodiac1992 Chinese zodiac1993 Chinese zodiac1994 Chinese zodiac1995 Chinese zodiac19961997 Chinese zodiac1998 Chinese zodiac1999 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1996 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1996?
1996 is the Year of the Fire Rat. The Chinese year ran from Feb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997.
What element is the 1996 Chinese zodiac?
Fire. A year's element follows its last digit: 6 gives Fire. The Rat's own fixed element is Water, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1996?
Lunar New Year 1996 fell on Monday, Feb 19, 1996. Born from January 1 to Feb 18, 1996, you are a Wood Pig. From Feb 19, 1996, you are a Fire Rat.
How old is someone born in 1996?
In 2026 they turn 30, or are 29 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 31. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Rat year after 1996?
2008, the Year of the Earth Rat, begins on Feb 7, 2008.