2008, Year of Rat
A painting of Rat Gnawing Fruit / Courtesy of National Folk Museum of Korea
Animal of Clairvoyance, Fertility
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The year 2008 has just dawned with hope. The New Year is the Year of the Rat, according to the Chinese Zodiac.
First in the cycle, the Rat begins the zodiac sequence and recurs every twelfth year.
Unlike the other 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac, rats are usually associated with a negative image for spreading diseases and stealing grain.
So it was a custom to eradicate disease and catch rats at the beginning of each year in the past.
``In Korean history, rats were often described as sinister creatures that stole grain and spread infectious diseases,'' said Kim Yoon-jeoung, a curator of the National Folk Museum of Korea.
But Korean ancestors found something different in the animals. The rat symbolized clairvoyance, fertility, diligence and good fortune.
So those who are born in the Year of the Rat are destined to have good fortune and are blessed with things to eat, according to the museum.
Rats In Korean Folk Belief
The productivity of rats come from their vigorous breeding capability.
Also, ``Samgukyusa,'' the late 13th century history book, describes rats as productive animals as they can give birth to 30-60 offspring a year.
Rats are harmful to people's daily lives, but in traditional folk belief they are regarded as divine-spirited because of their basic instinct to detect danger.
They are even portrayed in films as the first creatures to sense and evacuate in a large groups from dangerous situations such as the natural disasters caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
``Samguksagi,'' or The History of the Three Kingdoms, shows that during the reign of King Hyegong of the Silla Kingdom, there was no snow that year after people observed about 8,000 rats making a mass exodus from Wonju, Gangwon Province.
``Traditionally, rats were believed to be clever enough to remember a path they once took up to six months later. They were also thought of as a creature with the prophetic ability to recognize imminent danger,'' said Kim.
So in some coastal areas such as South Jeolla Province, rats were worshipped as guardian deities of the region. The belief was common among sailors that if a colony of rats deserts a ship, the ship would be wrecked at sea.
Kim explained that as for rituals related to rats, Korean ancestors customarily performed a traditional play known as ``Jwibulnori.'' People burn the dry grass on ridges between rice fields while children enjoy whirling around perforated cans filled with burning charcoal. The purpose of this custom was to kill the rats living in holes and to exterminate the insects infesting the dry fields.
Also, pouches called ``haejanang,'' were given to government officials for storing good luck on the first day of the Year of the Rat.
Traits of Rats
According to the Chinese philosophy, rats are strongly associated with material success such as wealth and other luxuries in life. Rats are seen as leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking.
Also, those who are born in the year of the rat are believed to be endowed with leadership skills.
They are also thought to be quick and energetic, easily adapting themselves to different situations. They are sometimes portrayed as versatile creatures and can usually overcome most obstacles.
Unlike most of other zodiac signs, rats believe in a relationship with just a handful of friends, but they have special bond with them.
In addition, they are tactful and can go to great extents to win a battle or game. Chinese sages say rats observe self-control and are considerate while dealing with people around them.
They are also regarded as intelligent and cunning rodents. But rats are usually exclusive, selective, obstinate and sometimes controlling.
Whether these traits are true or not, let's hope the year 2008 becomes the harbinger of health, wealth and good fortune.
Various Exhibitions of Rats
To provide further information about the Year of the Rat, the National Folk Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition titled ``Year of the Rats'' until Feb. 25.
The exhibit displays the historical relics related to the rat from the Three Kingdoms until the 1970s.
The exhibit features ``Book Divining Fortunes Based on the Year, Month, Day and Time of Birth'' from the 19th century, carrying the message that those who were born in the Year of the Rat would have difficulty in their early years but later lead a good life.
Also, the museum shows old items related to rats such as traps, a poster to promote exterminating rats from the 1960s and some charms used to attract good fortune and prevent evil spirits.
The Everland Resort will run a ``Mouse Village'' to show 10 kinds of rodents including guinea pigs, prairie dogs, flying squirrels and Korean squirrels from Jan. 1. The village will be divided into two places ― modern places and straws-made old places ― based on a story of ``The Country Mouse and the City Mouse'' in Aesop's Fables. Visitors will be able to see flying squirrels, which are designated as Precious Natural Treasure No. 328.
The Seoul Grand Park also holds an exhibition to show various kinds of rodents such as capybaras, a large sized rodent living in the Amazon, beavers and nutrias.
Stars Born in Year of Rat
Big stars who were born in the rat year are expected to steal the limelight.
Actors Bae Yong-joon (1972), better known as ``Yonsama,'' Jang Dong-kun (1972), Kim Myeong-min (1972) and actress Yoon Eun-hye (1984) were all born in the Year of the Rat.
Bae will likely boost his popularity as ``Taewangsasingi'' (The Four Guardian Gods of the King), will go on screens in Japan from April, 2008.
Jang is currently filming ``Laundry Warrior,'' his Hollywood debut, in New Zealand to be released in 2008. In ``Laundry Warrior,'' produced by Barrie M. Osborne, producer of ``Lord of the Rings,'' and ``The Matrix,'' Jang plays the role of a mysterious Asian warrior assassin who ends up in an American Mid-Western town near a desert, where he struggles to find peace, contentment and even love.
Also, big-time musicians such as Seo Tae-ji (1972), Park Jin-young (1972) and Yoon Do-hyun (1972) were all born in the Year of the Rat.
An iconic musician on the Korean pop scene Seo will return with his 8th album to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his debut in coincidence with the Year of the Rat.
Renowned producer Park, who has recently released his seventh album in six years, is likely to reactivate his career as both singer and producer.
Also, violinist Chung Kyung-hwa (1948) and pianist Lim Dong-hyek (1984) were born in the Year of the Rat.
The years of the rat are 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, keeping adding 12 years in the series.