1996 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Fire Rat

1996 is the Year of the Fire Rat — a Yang Fire year. The animal sign is the Rat, the first of the 12-animal cycle.

1996 carries the Fire element (Yang Fire). Element is set by the year's heavenly stem and cycles every 10 years, so the full Fire Rat combination returns only once every 60 years.

Those born in 1996, the Year of the Rat, are traditionally described as quick-witted, resourceful, and adaptable. With the Fire element added, passion, energy, and boldness 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 1996, before that year's Chinese New Year, is actually a Pig (the 1995 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.