Fire Rat Chinese Zodiac
火鼠 huǒ shǔ
A Fire Rat was born in a Rat year ending in 6 or 7: 1936, 1996 and 2056. Fire speeds up the already quick Rat. The Fire Rat is described as bold and charming, a Rat that acts on its ideas straight away and is happiest in the middle of things.
- Fire
- Rat
- Yang
Fire Rat at a Glance
- Years
- 1936, 1996 and 2056
- Year element
- Fire 火 (years ending in 6 or 7)
- Rat's own element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 丙子
- Next Fire Rat year
- 2056
The Fire Rat Moves First
A Rat already thinks fast; the Fire Rat acts fast too. Tradition casts it as the Rat that jumps at an opening before others have finished weighing it, and enjoys the attention that follows.
The 1996 Fire Rats, the last Millennial year, turn 30 in 2026. Their elders, the 1936 Fire Rats, are Silent Generation and turn 90.
Which Years Are Fire Rat Years?
The most recent Fire Rat year began on Feb 19, 1996 and ended on Feb 6, 1997; the next comes in 2056. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Jan 24, 1936 | Feb 10, 1937 | 丙子 | 涧下水 | 89 or 90 |
| 1996 Chinese zodiac | Feb 19, 1996 | Feb 6, 1997 | 丙子 | 涧下水 | 29 or 30 |
| 2056 | 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.
Fire Rat Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Fire Rat
- Bold
- Charming
- Quick
Challenges of the Fire Rat
- Impulsive
- Restless
- Burns out
Fire Rat in Love and at Work
In Love
Passionate and playful, with a strong need to feel wanted.
At Work
Shines in sales, media and start-ups, where speed and charm count.
The Five Kinds of Rat
The Rat's own element is always Water; the birth year adds the second. For the Fire Rat, Water restrains Fire, so the Rat holds the year's element in check.
| Type | Years | With the Rat's Water |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rat Chinese zodiac | 1924, 1984, 2044 | Water feeds Wood |
| Fire Rat | 1936, 1996, 2056 | Water restrains Fire |
| Earth Rat Chinese zodiac | 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 |
Fire 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 Fire Signs
All twelve animals have a Fire year. Each is a different mix.
- Fire Ox Chinese zodiac1937, 1997
- Fire Tiger Chinese zodiac1926, 1986
- Fire Rabbit Chinese zodiac1927, 1987
- Fire Dragon Chinese zodiac1976, 2036
- Fire Snake Chinese zodiac1917, 1977
- Fire Horse Chinese zodiac1966, 2026
- Fire Goat Chinese zodiac1967, 2027
- Fire Monkey Chinese zodiac1956, 2016
- Fire Rooster Chinese zodiac1957, 2017
- Fire Dog Chinese zodiac1946, 2006
- Fire Pig Chinese zodiac1947, 2007
Fire Rat Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Fire Rat?
A Fire Rat is someone born in a Rat year that ends in 6 or 7. Fire Rat years include 1936, 1996 and 2056. Tradition describes the Fire Rat as bold, charming and quick.
What years are Fire Rat years?
1936, 1996 and 2056. The 1996 year ran from Feb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997.
Is the Rat a Fire sign?
The Rat's own element is Water, which never changes. Fire is the element of the birth year, so a Fire Rat carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Fire Rat?
The most recent Fire Rat years are 1936 and 1996. In 2026 someone born in 1996 turns 30.
When is the next Fire Rat year?
2056. Rat years return every 12 years and each element every 60.