Quick answer: The Rat (鼠 shǔ) is the first of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, and in Chinese tradition it stands for cleverness, resourcefulness and wealth. Rat years include 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020, each beginning at Lunar New Year rather than January 1. Every Rat year also carries one of five elements, so 1984 was a Wood Rat and 2020 a Metal Rat.
