Year of the Rat – A Chinese Omen?

Dr. Michael L. Ford

2 January 2007

            My wife and I were watching the Rose Parade, as we usually do when in the United States on New Year’s Day. This was the 119^th Rose Parade and had for its theme “Passport to the World’s Celebrations.” The City of Alhambra had as its float entry this year a display celebrating the Chinese New Year, which actually begins on 7 February. It is called the Year of the Rat. But there is more to its symbology than just that. For instance this particular cyclical year of the rat is the Earth Rat and has for its negative qualities ambition, stubbornness, selfishness and self-centeredness. The rat in Chinese lore is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.

Perhaps it is because of the Vietnamese celebration of Tet at the Chinese New Year, or perhaps it was another memory I looked for an omen. In the 1990’s Bill Clinton linked himself with China and betrayed his country giving the Chinese technology enabling them to build missile systems to kill our defense satellites. I started wondering could the fact our presidential election was occurring in the Chinese Year of the Rat be an omen?

            Though I do not believe in astrology I admit I did check out Hillary Clinton’s birthday. She was born October 26, 1947, the Year of the Fire Pig. Hmmm. This symbol is associated in Chinese astrology with Mars, which is the Roman god of war. Aggression, impatience and impulsive behavior are a part of her birth symbols. As fire provides heat and warmth, an excess can also burn. We know Hillary has the conquest cycle connected with her birth symbol. How much and what would she strive to conquer?

            In the rat cycle highly ambitious and strong-willed people are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. Sounds a lot like what we have seen out of Hillary in the past. The Chinese recognized that behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. Could the Year of the Rat really be Hillary’s year? If this is an omen it certainly is a bad one that bodes no good!