The Year of the Rat began January 25, 2020 and ended on February 11, 2021. The rat is the first of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. Many ancient fables and legends explain the origin of the zodiac signs. The most common story tells of the animals racing across a river to determine their order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race. The Lunar New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and historically marks the arrival of spring. Across the United States, people shop for food and other supplies, hang decorations, and clean their homes and streets to welcome the new year with a fresh start. Filled with symbolic meaning, the colors red and gold appear everywhere during this auspicious time of year. Red is considered very lucky, while gold is supposed to bring wealth. © 2022 United States Postal Service®. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission