What Chinese zodiac is 2020?
Year of the Metal Rat庚子 · Geng Zi · Wall Earth
2020 is the Year of the Metal Rat — 庚子 (Geng Zi) in the Chinese calendar. The heavenly stem 庚 belongs to Metal, and the year's nayin ("sound") element is Wall Earth.
Animal sign · Stem-branch
- Animal sign
- Rat
- Stem-branch
- 庚子 (Geng Zi)
- Element (heavenly stem)
- 庚 · Metal
- Nayin element
- Wall Earth · Earth
Chinese New Year · Start of Spring (Lichun)
- Chinese New Year
- Jan 25, 2020
- Start of Spring (Lichun)
- Feb 4, 2020
- This Rat year
- Jan 25, 2020 – Feb 11, 2021
Born in January or February 2020?
| Born | By Chinese New Year (common use) | By Start of Spring (BaZi) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 24 | Pig | Pig |
| Jan 25 – Feb 3 | Rat | Pig |
| Feb 4 – Dec 31 | Rat | Rat |
Most people switch animals at Chinese New Year; BaZi (Four Pillars) uses Start of Spring as the year boundary, so early-year birthdays can have two answers. Not sure? A free BaZi chart shows your exact year pillar.
How old is someone born in 2020?
- In 2026
- 6 after their birthday (5 before)
- East Asian age (xusui)
- 7 after Chinese New Year
Rat return years (benmingnian)
- 2032 (age 12)
- 2044 (age 24)
A benmingnian is a year that shares your birth animal; it comes round every 12 years. Wearing red is a folk custom for it — tradition, not something to worry about.
Which signs get along with the Rat?
- Trine (san he)
- Secret friend (liu he)
- Clash (chong)
These are traditional branch relations, shared as culture — they don't decide whether two people get along. Tap one for the full match.
Metal Rat personality
The Metal element gives this Rat its own flavor. Metal is about resolve: traditionally a Metal year adds determination, clear principles and high standards.
Deep in the hour of Zi, when everything is still, one small figure is still busy. People born in the Year of the Rat react fast and notice details, finding chances where others aren't looking. Quiet on the outside, you have already planned your next move.
- Strengths
- Clever, adaptable, resourceful
- Watch for
- You think a lot, can be overly cautious, and don't easily show your hand
- In love
- Thoughtful and devoted to home, you remember the little things about the people you love.
- At work
- You are good at work that needs quick adjustment. Give you resources and you will use them exactly right.
The Rat in 2027, Year of the Fire Goat
Win in the details, grow steadily
2027 is the Year of the Fire Goat (Ding Wei). In Chinese tradition, the Rat's branch Zi and the Goat's branch Wei form a 'harm' pairing, which is read as a reminder to pay attention to the small things between people. It isn't a bad omen. Say things clearly, put agreements in writing, and most misunderstandings never happen. Rats are naturally sharp and observant; point that care at communication this year and things go smoothly.
A good year to polish what you already have rather than start many new things at once. Before any important collaboration, spell out who does what and what everyone expects. You spot opportunities others miss, so this year go deeper, not wider.
Traditional views shared as culture and for fun — not a prediction or advice.
FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 2020?
2020 is the Year of the Rat (庚子, Geng Zi). This Rat year runs from Jan 25, 2020 (Chinese New Year) to Feb 11, 2021.
What is my sign if I was born in January 2020?
Born before Jan 25, 2020? By the usual Chinese New Year rule you belong to 2019, the Year of the Pig. BaZi switches at Start of Spring (Feb 4), so a birthday before that also gets the 己亥 year pillar.
What element is a 2020 Rat?
By the heavenly stem 庚, 2020 is a Metal Rat year. By the older nayin system, 庚子 is "Wall Earth". Neither is good or bad — your personal elements come from the full BaZi chart.
How old is someone born in 2020 in 2026?
6 after their birthday in 2026; by East Asian reckoning (xusui) they are 7 after Chinese New Year.
When is the next Year of the Rat?
The next Year of the Rat is 2032.
Make it about you
Your Chinese zodiac only looks at your birth year. Enter your date and hour of birth for a free BaZi chart and see your own chart and yearly cycles.
Other Rat years
Nearby years
Animal signs, stem-branches and nayin follow the traditional Chinese calendar; Chinese New Year and Start of Spring dates are Beijing time, computed with lunar-javascript. Traditional culture, for reference only.