The Chinese Year Of The Rat, 2020 - Rat Symbolism
Since the beginning of civilisation, the rat has been a component of human culture. Wherever there are human settlements, rats quickly establish themselves as residents. The significance of rat symbolism in cultures throughout the world is therefore not surprising. Rats are typically associated with bad things like disease, pestilence, and dirt. They have been blamed for spreading of illnesses like the bubonic plague which once ravaged Europe. Recently the plaque is thought to have been spread in other ways as transmission was too fast to be due to rats alone.
But the rat is also valued for its special qualities in many civilizations. Rats are essentially incredibly clean animals, despite their outward look. They are social, smart, and can be adorable. Rats continue to be an important factor in human life, whether it is for the many who keep them as treasured pets or the many who loathe them. This post will explore the myriad ideas about rat symbolism in our culture. If you are looking for more fascinating facts on rats please have a look at our post on 99 Fascinating Rat Facts For Kids (and grown ups) https://www.hammertechltd.com/blog/99-fascinating-rat-facts-for-kids
The Pied Piper Of Hamlin - Rat Symbolism
Mythology and Folklore of Rat Symbolism
Rats are prominent characters in many cultures' mythologies. This is not surprising given their close association with humans. Rats are occasionally revered as trickster deities or as messengers of different gods, as was already mentioned. In rat folklore a rat sighting may be an indication of a growing family because rats breed fast. For anyone trying to get pregnant, seeing a rat can be a good omen.
Rats were connected to the mysterious divinity Arimanius in ancient Rome. It is believed that Arimanius was adopted from the Zoroastrian deity of destruction. Arimanius and Hades, the deity of the underworld, were compared by Plutarch.
A powerful lion decides to save the life of a defenceless rat in Aesop's tale "The Lion and the Rat." When the lion is later trapped, the rat frees the king of the beasts by biting through a rope. The most well-known rat mythology folktale is the German tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The frightened residents of the village of Hamelin in this story employ an enigmatic piper. His job is to entice the rats from out of their overcrowded city. The piper consents in return for a substantial fee. The rats jump into the river and kill themselves as a result of the music he plays. The townsfolk of Hamelin, however, mock the piper and refuse to compensate him when he returns for his money. So why would they pay him now that there are no longer any concerns because the rats are gone?
The piper then starts to play a melancholy tune. Hamelin's kids start behaving suspiciously. They dance following the piper who takes them to the mountains, enlivened by this tune. The piper locks the cave they enter with a boulder, and they never come back. Historical evidence suggests that a few of the specifics of this tale are partially real.
The Meaning of Dreams with Rats
Rats appear frequently in dreams as a representation of one's repressed, negative feelings. In the waking state, emotions like jealously, remorse, and hate could be hidden, but they come to light in rat dreams. If you want to read more about the meaning of dreams about rats then check out our post here; https://www.hammertechltd.com/blog/what-is-the-meaning-of-rats-in-a-dream
Dreaming about dead rats or swarms of rats may be a sign of control issues or a fear of contamination. Rats in dreams may also represent a lack of confidence in other people. Rats are frequently used as metaphors for liars and traitors. A rat dream, in contrast, can allude to a prized objective. Rats are resourceful and inventive. Rat dreams may be a warning to put all of your heart and soul into your job.
The Rat as a Spirit Animal
People with a rat spirit animal are typically intelligent and nimble in physique, brain, and soul. Those who identify with rats as a spirit animal possess strong intuition and have a sharp sense of both opportunity and danger.
The rat is an inquisitive and gregarious spirit animal, but when pushed beyond of their comfort zones, they can become a little timid. Puzzles and problem-solving activities are tempting challenges for those whose spirit animal is the rat.
Rats are also known to be economical and resourceful spirit animals. They don't mind stretching their limited resources as far as they can. This is the result of a combination of tenacity and imagination.
Those who have the rat as a spirit animal may have a hard time realising when they have remained too long in the company of others. Because they are so kind, they might not instantly recognise when their actions have become impolite. It's crucial for those with the rat as a spirit animal to pay great attention to social signs so that you can respect others' limits.
Rat As A Totem
The rat is versatile and resilient. This animal strives for success and is cunning and restless. City rats are a nuisance, but it requires a very clever creature to flourish in close proximity to people and take advantage of their presence. The rat is a powerful totem animal.
Rat totem people can adjust to just about anything. Individuals with the rat totem are swift in their movements and laid back. They have a gift for figuring out the best way to make things work in their advantage. However, people with rats as their totem animals may be overly trusting, just like rats who voluntarily take poison or go into traps. Although having an open heart and mind are wonderful qualities, it's also crucial to protect yourself from pessimism and lies.
The Rat As A Power Animal
Wealth and opportunity are connected to the rat power animal. People who have the rat's power on their side are specialists at seeing opportunities for success and prosperity. Go-getters, those with the rat as a power animal, aren't hesitant to pursue many projects at once in the hope that their efforts will finally pay off. Rats are a very enterprising power animal, yet they may get tired with repetitive or dull work. Make sure to put effort into whatever you do and see projects through to completion. Spreading yourself too thin won't help anything.
The Meaning of a Rat Tattoo
Rat tattoos can be selected in a variety of designs and contexts. If someone was born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the rat, they might choose a rat tattoo. Another reason someone could get a tattoo of a rat is to express their wit, diligence, or ingenuity.
An option for a survival tattoo is a rat. It is frequently asserted that some animals will survive whatever happens to them. One of these is frequently included: the rat. An option for a tattoo that symbolises money and wealth is a rat. This tattoo could be chosen as a way to attract a specific future.
Rat Symbolism and Meaning
The lowly rat has quite a strong reputation. Rats frequently stand for squalor, bad hygiene, crime, illness, misery, and death. Rats are typical pests in the home that lurk in dark, unclean areas. This may be a contributing factor to this symbolic link, along with the notion that they carry disease. They are frequently used as insulting representations of low-status individuals.
Rats, in Freud's opinion, are phallic symbols. Additionally, he thought they were analogies of unclean children. This is since they were biting, wailing, and shouting. Rats can represent undesired siblings or children in this context.
Rats' hoarding tendencies have led to certain associations with avarice or theft. Despite this, many cultures also view rat symbolism in the form of achievement, riches, and prosperity. According to studies, rats are capable of being incredibly clever. They are very clever and trainable, are frequently employed in research. Rats might therefore also stand for advancement in science.
The rat is revered as a cunning trickster in many cultures. According to legend, the rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac because it pulled off a smart ruse to beat the competition.
Rat Symbolism - Chinese Symbol For Rat - Chinese Zodiac
The Rat In The Chinese Zodiac
Rat in Chinese is 大鼠. The rat is the first of the signs in the Chinese zodiac. The written representation of this animal is modelled after the whiskers, head, paws, and tail of an old rat pictogram. The rat, a sign of shyness and meanness, is one of the symbolic animals that corresponds with the first of Twelve Terrestrial Branches.
A rat is a symbol of riches, procreation, and fertility. This is because they multiply rapidly and in large numbers and are always finding large amounts to eat. Positive character traits of a person born under the sign of the rat can be;
forthright
methodical
meticulous
charismatic
hardworking
industrious
charming
eloquent
sociable
shrewd
materially prosperous
Less desirable traits include;
cruel
dictatorial
strict
selfish
unyielding
critical
overly ambitious
ruthless
intolerant
cunning
rigid
Native American Symbolism of the Rat
Native American tribes have a complicated connection with the rat. This is just like the majority of human societies worldwide. Rats are a common component of life and a rich source of knowledge and inspiration. Despite this, many Native American cultures see them negatively due to their damaging activity.
The Native American totem animal rat represents agility, quickness, intelligence, cunning, and savviness. Native American stories place a specific emphasis on the muskrat. This is a sibling of the rats that most people are familiar with and a huge semi-aquatic rodent. The muskrat represents one of the four animals, as stated by the Sioux people, that created the earth. Based on a number of Native American myths, the muskrat brought up a lump of dirt by plunging to the murky bottom of the sea.
Ganesh, The Hindu Elephant God, Rode On the Back Of Rats - Rat Symbolism
Eastern Symbolism of the Rat
The rat is a symbol of wealth in China, and when you hear one scrounging about for a meal at night, it's supposed to be "counting money." A miser is referred to as a "money-rat" in a derogatory manner.
The wedding of the rat family's daughter is described in a well-known piece of Chinese rat folklore. In this tale, the rats attempt to wed their child to the most dominant individual in the area. Since all rats are afraid of cats, they decide that perhaps the cat seems to be the best option. However, the cat eats the wedding procession as they are ready to wed their daughter to it.
According to Chinese tradition, rats possess a demonic quality. As a consequence, they think that rats, as opposed to foxes, which transform into female demons, can become male demons. In addition, the rat is also the inaugural sign of the horoscope in China thanks to a deceitful incident that gave it that place. In Japan, a rat is regarded as a lucky animal that represents industry and intellect and is thought to have given rice to people.
Ganesha, the deity of riches and fortune, is connected to the rat in India. There are Ganesha temples that serve vast rat colonies. People there regard them as sacred representations of this revered being.
Christian Symbolism Including Rats
The Hebrew term "akbar" is used throughout the Bible to refer to a variety of rodent, notably hamsters, rats, jerboas and mice. Because of their propensity for destruction, rats and mice are often used as symbols of evil. St. Fina, a holy woman who was gnawed by rats is very frequently shown in Renaissance art. She endured horrible disease, poverty, and sorrow without complaining or self-pity,
Rats in Renaissance paintings that represent night and day are shown devouring one another. Rats are included among the unclean creatures that humanity shouldn't ever descend to eating in Leviticus 11:29. Isaiah stated individuals who practised pagan ways subsisted on eating rats and pigs in the plague account.
Celtic Symbolism and Mythology of the Rat
Ancient Celtic customs are the source of several pieces of rat mythology. Rats sometimes appear to possess a sixth sense for foretelling the future. This is particularly true when that future entails impending calamity. According to one urban belief, when rats flee a ship, it will soon sink.
Another predicts that one of the residents will soon pass away if all of the rats leave one's home. It is also claimed that a house will not burn to the ground if it contains rats inside. This is because they would notice the fire long before it started and would flee in large numbers. It would appear that rats are considered to have a unique sense of disaster.
This rhyme is well-liked in Scotland:
Ratton and mouse,
Leave the poor woman’s house,
Gang awa’ o’er’ by the mill,
As there, you’ll get all yer’ fill!
Rat Symbolism in Africa
Some African tribes believe that rats, reptiles, and snakes are the ghosts of the deceased who visit the houses of their loved ones. These creatures may be regarded as holy and shouldn't be destroyed by people who hold this belief. Rats represented both good judgement and ultimate destruction to the ancient Egyptians.
In Africa, rats are associated with;
spirituality
knowledge
illness
disease
the passage of time
hostility
wickedness
pestilence
meanness
slander
devastation
Rat Sightings and Premonition
Rat encounters are frequently unpleasant events; no one likes to find out that their property is infested with vermin. Bear in mind, nevertheless, that rats are simply creatures striving to survive. In fact, seeing a rat is considered to be a highly positive omen in several societies. In some regions of India, coming across a rat or a rat premonition might indicate the deity Ganesha is there.
Where food is plentiful and sanitation is lacking, rats frequently reproduce at the fastest rate. Therefore, seeing rats may be a sign of wealth and excess as well as dirt and idleness. A rat premonition may by an indication of abundance coming your way.
Rats can be taught complicated actions and are quite intelligent. If you run across a rat, it may be a sign that your present problems can only be solved by innovation and flexibility. The rat serves as a helpful reminder of the value of quick thinking. A rat sighting may be an indication of a growing family because rats breed fast. For anyone trying to get pregnant, seeing a rat can be a good omen.
In Conclusion
Rats' status as vermin may be widely acknowledged as a unfortunate characteristic of these rodents. Despite this, there is undoubtedly a lot more to rats than simply being a nuisance. When witnessing rats' activity, many people experience immediate dread or revulsion. It should be recognised that rats are only preying on human tendencies whenever a rat infestation arises. Rats are just as much a feature of our planet as we are, and by appreciating them and taking note of their survival strategies, we may all benefit. Without the contributions that rats have made to science, several advances would not have been possible. We would not be who we are without them so they deserve respect.