Earth Rat Chinese Zodiac
土鼠 tǔ shǔ
An Earth Rat was born in a Rat year ending in 8 or 9: 1948, 2008 and 2068. Earth steadies the restless Rat. The Earth Rat is described as practical and careful, a Rat that saves where others spend and turns its cleverness toward security.
- Earth
- Rat
- Yang
Earth Rat at a Glance
- Years
- 1948, 2008 and 2068
- Year element
- Earth 土 (years ending in 8 or 9)
- Rat's own element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 戊子
- Next Earth Rat year
- 2068
The Earth Rat Saves for Later
All Rats are resourceful. The Earth Rat, tradition says, points that skill at security: it budgets, plans and builds a cushion while the Fire Rat is still chasing the next opportunity.
The 1948 Earth Rats are Boomers turning 78 in 2026. The 2008 Earth Rats, Gen Z, turn 18 and are coming of age.
Which Years Are Earth Rat Years?
The most recent Earth Rat year began on Feb 7, 2008 and ended on Jan 25, 2009; the next comes in 2068. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 Chinese zodiac | Feb 10, 1948 | Jan 28, 1949 | 戊子 | 霹雳火 | 77 or 78 |
| 2008 Chinese zodiac | Feb 7, 2008 | Jan 25, 2009 | 戊子 | 霹雳火 | 17 or 18 |
| 2068 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Earth Rat Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Earth Rat
- Practical
- Careful
- Resourceful
Challenges of the Earth Rat
- Worries about money
- Overcautious
- Slow to trust
Earth Rat in Love and at Work
In Love
Loyal and protective, and builds a stable home.
At Work
Suited to finance, planning, administration and steady business.
The Five Kinds of Rat
The Rat's own element is always Water; the birth year adds the second. For the Earth Rat, Earth restrains Water, so the year keeps the Rat in check.
| Type | Years | With the Rat's Water |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rat Chinese zodiac | 1924, 1984, 2044 | Water feeds Wood |
| Fire Rat Chinese zodiac | 1936, 1996, 2056 | Water restrains Fire |
| Earth Rat | 1948, 2008, 2068 | Earth restrains Water |
| Metal Rat Chinese zodiac | 1900, 1960, 2020, 2080 | Metal feeds Water |
| Water Rat Chinese zodiac | 1912, 1972, 2032, 2092 | Doubled |
Earth Rat Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Dragon, Monkey and Ox for the Rat, and the Horse is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Link to the Horse: Clash (冲太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Link to the Goat: Harm (害太岁).
Other Earth Signs
All twelve animals have a Earth year. Each is a different mix.
- Earth Ox Chinese zodiac1949, 2009
- Earth Tiger Chinese zodiac1938, 1998
- Earth Rabbit Chinese zodiac1939, 1999
- Earth Dragon Chinese zodiac1928, 1988
- Earth Snake Chinese zodiac1929, 1989
- Earth Horse Chinese zodiac1918, 1978
- Earth Goat Chinese zodiac1919, 1979
- Earth Monkey Chinese zodiac1968, 2028
- Earth Rooster Chinese zodiac1969, 2029
- Earth Dog Chinese zodiac1958, 2018
- Earth Pig Chinese zodiac1959, 2019
Earth Rat Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is an Earth Rat?
An Earth Rat is someone born in a Rat year that ends in 8 or 9. Earth Rat years include 1948, 2008 and 2068. Tradition describes the Earth Rat as practical, careful and resourceful.
What years are Earth Rat years?
1948, 2008 and 2068. The 2008 year ran from Feb 7, 2008 to Jan 25, 2009.
Is the Rat a Earth sign?
The Rat's own element is Water, which never changes. Earth is the element of the birth year, so a Earth Rat carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Earth Rat?
The most recent Earth Rat years are 1948 and 2008. In 2026 someone born in 2008 turns 18.
When is the next Earth Rat year?
2068. Rat years return every 12 years and each element every 60.