There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. According to Chinese astrology and belief, the traits of these zodiac animals not only shape the personalities of people born under the respective sign but also their lives and the events of the year. Apart from the Rat, the other Chinese zodiac animals are the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The creative, amiable and cheerful Rat, first in the Zodiac Cycle starts off yet another New Year on the Chinese zodiac calendar in 2020. Two graphical illustrations of this cheerful Rat ushering in the new Lunar Year 2020 are shown in this set of stamps of 1t Local and $1.40.

People born in the year of the Rat are hardworking, thrifty and easy to get along with. They take pride in their neat work in all areas of life and have a deep sense of self-respect. Fair-tempered and pleasant, they are conservative and diligent, happy to set aside funds for a rainy day. They are not big spenders and will choose stable dividends over risky investments with their earnings.

They may appear to be quiet individuals, but people born in the year of the Rat are easily provoked. An innate sense of self control helps in this area, which explains why they are usually popular and surrounded with friends. Like Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse, individuals born in the year of the Rat are trustworthy, dependable, straightforward and earnest people. They remain optimistic in the face of adversity, with strong wills and wits to survive. Their abilities to go with the flow may seem unimpressive at first, due to their preference to fly under the radar, but they are unbending in their spirits to strive for the best in their careers and for their families.

Quiet but sociable, those born in the year of the Rat treasure friends and associates. With the ability to organise their lives and general resources, coupled with sharp intuition and good foresight, Rat-year individuals are often treasured as part of a bigger team or organisation.