It's the Year of the Rat! What does this mean?

The Chinese zodiac also consists of 12 signs, but they change by years, not months. The first is the Rat, followed by the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Boar.

As the first sign in the zodiac, Rats are pioneers and natural leaders.

Extroverted and energetic, sociable and charming, Rats often have many friends. Rats pay attention to people and take great interest in the smallest details. While they will happily listen to anyone else's secrets, they make sure to guard their own secrets well.

Rats all too often find that emotional attachments are easier to make than to undo. Still, one can never be exactly sure of where one stands with a Rat, as their love of money can overcome just about anything.

If money is not the chief motivation for the Rat, it is one of the Top Two. Rats are industrious, practical, active, adaptable, and organized. They can see potential problems as well as upcoming opportunities, but follow their own agendas and don't mind turning both to their own advantage. Neither do they have much of a problem capitalizing on the mistakes or shortcomings of others. When opportunity knocks, the Rat always answers the door.

Just as Rats are said to leave a sinking ship, Rats check for the way out before entering a transaction in case they need an early exit. Self-preservation is high on a Rat's list of priorities, and their vigilance and perceptiveness rarely lets them down. However, when there is a chance of making a "good deal," the Rat doesn't always rely on better judgment. Therefore gambling is one potential trouble spot.

In general, Rats save and invest money well. They have a great eye for a bargain, whether or not it is something they need. They tend to be, well, pack rats, saving sentimental mementoes of every kind. Rats hate idleness and waste. If a Rat does you a favor, chances are the Rat will make you work it off somehow. Though undeniably thrifty, Rats can be very generous indeed to those they are especially fond of.

On the negative side they can be critical, miserly or gossips. At their worst they can be manipulative and calculating.

It is said that Rats born during the day have it easier than Rats born at night. Because rats scurry around searching for food at night, Rats born during these hours expect to face more hardship and suffering in their lives.

Rats get along best of all with Dragons and Monkeys. They would be great business managers for these dazzling, mercurial signs. They get along poorly with Sheep and Roosters, and worst of all with Horses.

With their curiosity, fascination with people and eye for detail, the Rat makes the best writer of anybody. It is through this that I shall mark the Year of the Rat. Throughout this year, I will post caricatures and mini-biographies of some of the best-known and best-loved Rat writers I can think of.