The rat is the first of the zodiac animals of the repeating 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac . The 12 zodiac animals in order are as follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.  People born on in the Year of the Rat sign are thought to be hardworking and clever. In 2021 it will be the Year of the Ox.