1948 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Earth Rat

1948 is the Year of the Earth Rat — a Yang Earth year. The animal sign is the Rat, the first of the 12-animal cycle.

1948 carries the Earth element (Yang Earth). Element is set by the year's heavenly stem and cycles every 10 years, so the full Earth Rat combination returns only once every 60 years.

Those born in 1948, the Year of the Rat, are traditionally described as quick-witted, resourceful, and adaptable. With the Earth element added, stability, patience, and practicality are emphasised.

The Rat is traditionally most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey, Ox.

Almost — but the Chinese zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year (late January or early February), not January 1. So someone born in early 1948, before that year's Chinese New Year, is actually a Pig (the 1947 sign). If your birthday is in late January or early February, enter your full date of birth in the Age Calculator to confirm your exact sign.