Metal Rat Chinese Zodiac
金鼠 jīn shǔ
A Metal Rat was born in a Rat year ending in 0 or 1: 1900, 1960, 2020 and 2080. Metal sharpens the clever Rat. The Metal Rat is described as ambitious and exacting, a Rat that sets goals, organizes its resources and does not let go.
- Metal
- Rat
- Yang
Metal Rat at a Glance
- Years
- 1900, 1960, 2020 and 2080
- Year element
- Metal 金 (years ending in 0 or 1)
- Rat's own element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 庚子
- Next Metal Rat year
- 2080
The Metal Rat Sets a Goal and Holds on
Rats are clever; Metal Rats are clever with a plan. Tradition describes an ambitious, organized sign that does not let go of a target once it has chosen one.
The 1960 Metal Rats are Boomers turning 66 in 2026. The 2020 Metal Rats, Gen Alpha, turn 6.
Which Years Are Metal Rat Years?
The most recent Metal Rat year began on Jan 25, 2020 and ended on Feb 11, 2021; the next comes in 2080. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Jan 31, 1900 | Feb 18, 1901 | 庚子 | 壁上土 | 125 or 126 |
| 1960 Chinese zodiac | Jan 28, 1960 | Feb 14, 1961 | 庚子 | 壁上土 | 65 or 66 |
| 2020 Chinese zodiac | Jan 25, 2020 | Feb 11, 2021 | 庚子 | 壁上土 | 5 or 6 |
| 2080 | 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.
Metal Rat Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Metal Rat
- Ambitious
- Organized
- Resolute
Challenges of the Metal Rat
- Calculating
- Rigid
- Slow to forgive
Metal Rat in Love and at Work
In Love
Loyal and devoted, with high standards for a partner.
At Work
Excels in finance, law, strategy and business building.
The Five Kinds of Rat
The Rat's own element is always Water; the birth year adds the second. For the Metal Rat, Metal feeds Water, so the year supports the Rat's nature.
| 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 Chinese zodiac | 1948, 2008, 2068 | Earth restrains Water |
| Metal Rat | 1900, 1960, 2020, 2080 | Metal feeds Water |
| Water Rat Chinese zodiac | 1912, 1972, 2032, 2092 | Doubled |
Metal 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 Metal Signs
All twelve animals have a Metal year. Each is a different mix.
- Metal Ox Chinese zodiac1961, 2021
- Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac1950, 2010
- Metal Rabbit Chinese zodiac1951, 2011
- Metal Dragon Chinese zodiac1940, 2000
- Metal Snake Chinese zodiac1941, 2001
- Metal Horse Chinese zodiac1930, 1990
- Metal Goat Chinese zodiac1931, 1991
- Metal Monkey Chinese zodiac1920, 1980
- Metal Rooster Chinese zodiac1921, 1981
- Metal Dog Chinese zodiac1970, 2030
- Metal Pig Chinese zodiac1971, 2031
Metal Rat Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Metal Rat?
A Metal Rat is someone born in a Rat year that ends in 0 or 1. Metal Rat years include 1900, 1960, 2020 and 2080. Tradition describes the Metal Rat as ambitious, organized and resolute.
What years are Metal Rat years?
1900, 1960, 2020 and 2080. The 2020 year ran from Jan 25, 2020 to Feb 11, 2021.
Is the Rat a Metal sign?
The Rat's own element is Water, which never changes. Metal is the element of the birth year, so a Metal Rat carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Metal Rat?
The most recent Metal Rat years are 1960 and 2020. In 2026 someone born in 2020 turns 6.
When is the next Metal Rat year?
2080. Rat years return every 12 years and each element every 60.