Interesting. "rat" or "mouse" translate to basically the same word in the Chinese language. So I guess it depends on who did the translation from Chinese to English. For the record, ancient Chinese incorporated the 5 elements (Gold [metal], Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) with the 12 Lunar animals and form a full "cycle" of 60 years (sexagenary cycle). It goes in a pairing running order, which makes 2011 (after Chinese New Year), the year of the Golden Rabbit, and in 2012, year of the Water Dragon, etc. So for example, if you were born in 1964, 1976, 1988 or 2000 and are Dragons, you will be Wood Dragon, Fire Dragon, Earth Dragon and Gold Dragon respectively. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexagenary_cycle. Also, some countries use a similar set of animals but replaced one or two with their own. For example, in Vietnam, the Cat replaces the Rabbit. and in Kazakhstan, the Snail replaces the Dragon <-- goodness me, would we get the same "Silver Snails" hype if snail coins were minted instead. - Revlisify
I'm a Goat - I've heard I'm actually very good eating if cooked correctly (seared by dragon fire is the perferred method). My son is an Ox (2009 - he's only two) and he is already an imoveable object at times and very strong willed so that fits nicely.