The Rat is part of series 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 11×14″ bristol paper with digital color. Copyright 2009 Stephanie Smith, contact me for re-use and customization!

This image is also available in black and white in full color cards and wall art and as T-shirts.

Part of the Chinese Zodiac 2010 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: