2008 het jaar van de rat

Het nieuwe Chinese Jaar is gestart onder het teken van de "rat". De rat is het eerste dier in de twaalfjaarlijkse cyclus van de Chinese dierenriem volgens de Chinese kalender.

2008 zal dus voorspoed en geluk brengen voor alle ratten (geboren in 1972 (!), 1984 en 1996)!

The Rat year is a year of plenty, bringing opportunity and good prospects. It will be marked by speculation and fluctuations in the prices of commodities and the stock market; the world economy in general will boom.

Business will be be on the upswing, fortunes can be made and it will be an easy time to accumulate wealth. However, this is also the time to make long-term investment plans as the bonanza the year of the Rat brings will serve to see us through the bleak years that may follow.All ventures begun at this time will be successful if one prepares well. But do not take chances or unnecessary risks: the year of the Rat is still ruled by the cold of winter and darkness of night. Those who speculate indiscriminately and overextend themselves will come to a sad reckoning.

On the whole, this will be a happier year than most; free from explosive events and wars and with far less catastrophes than, say, the years of the Tiger or the Dragon.

Nonetheless, it will be spicy. It promises a lot of bickering, bargaining and petty arguments that will do little harm. A congenial time that will find most of us socializing and enjoying ourselves.

Belangrijkste eigenschappen van ratten:

• Charmant, economisch, efficiënt, diplomatiek, ondernemend, ambitieus, flexibel, welbespraakt maar ook huichelachtig, laf, opportunistisch, verkwistend en op eigen materieel gewin uit.

• Symbool van geluk en voorspoed doordat ze zich aan veel omstandigheden kunnen aanpassen. Ratten zijn slim, vooral waar het hun eigen overleving betreft.

• Charming and humourous, honest and meticulous. Although they can give good advice, they cannot necessarily decide for themselves. May be power hungry, petty or greedy, Bright, sociable and highly ambitious. A true opportunist to reach the target. Passionate and good to her lover. Yet likes to gamble and spend lavishly.

• The charm of the Rat personality is as universally known and loved as the Walt Disney character, Mickey Mouse. He could be forthright and honest but in such a disarming manner that you find yourself at a disadvantage.

• Remarkably easy to get along with, hard working and thrifty, he will be generous only to those he is inordinately fond of, so if you get an expensive gift from him, you should certainly rate yourself high in his esteem. However, in spite of his penny-pinching ways, he will never be found wanting for admirers as he emits such fantastic appeal.