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The Rat is one of the 12 Animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac. In the foreground is the Chinese character for the Rat.
Rat people are said to be clever, meticulous, and charming. You are probably a Rat if you were born in 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, or 1924, but double-check the exact dates if your birthday is in mid-January to mid-February because the Lunar New Year is on a different date each year. Wikipedia’s Chinese Zodiac page is a good starting point for more information about all of the signs and their meanings.
Drawn with a brush-pen on 9×12″ regular-surface bristol paper. Copyright 2009 Stephanie Smith, contact me for re-use and customization!
This image is also available as cards with the text ‘Year of the Rat’ and without the text and as T-shirts.
Part of the Chinese Zodiac Calendar
Also available on a variety of other gift items in my Zazzle shop — new items weekly! 
And on ornaments and other gifts in my CafePress shop
See the rest of the work in the: Chinese Zodiac series
Other variations: 
Stephanie Smith is an illustrator and graphic designer who loves to draw.
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Comments
Thank you!
– Stephanie Smith
Oooo I love your Rattie, these are so good xx
Thanks Anita! The rest are shaping up very nicely, too, I’m happy about the way this series is turning out. :)
– Stephanie Smith
just love this series you’re doing Stephanie (big smile) .. looking forward to seeing all of them (big smile)
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warning: standard pat answer to feature ‘thank you’ follows (big grin)
you’re most welcome (big smile) … now don’t be a stranger … come visit often at Creative Cards … we’re looking forward to seeing more of your work and you also might like to check out the new forums too (big smile) especially the one on Promoting Our Work! (big smile)
AND don’t forget to read the groups messages – important stuff! and vote in our challenges too! (big smile)
ps. please remember NO PHOTOS or PHOTO MANIPULATION allowed in group .. AND only one posted card per day! thank you (smile)
Stephanie, this whole series is terrific. Well done.
Thank you! I hope I got the kanji right, LOL…
– Stephanie Smith
Isn’t that the scariest thing? I tend to forget that I don’t speak exactly according to what an English grammar book would teach, so why would anyone else? There are so many different translations for words, depending on exactly how they are being used. But it’s fun to figure it out.