Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) Coloring Pages

The first animal in the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac)!

The "Japanese Zodiac" is made up of 12 kinds of animals. People have used them for a long time to show years, directions, and more. The Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) is known as the very first animal among these 12!

Why Did it Become First?

Long long ago, God told the animals, "Come to greet me on New Year's Day. I will put you in charge of a year, based on who gets here first!" The slow little rat secretly rode on the ox's back. Right before the finish line, he jumped off and surprisingly came in first place! This story shows how smart and quick the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) is.

• The rat used its wisdom and clever ideas to come in first place!
• Because of this story, the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) means "new things are starting" and "you can reach your goals."

Small, but a Great Helper!

Mice are very small, but people believe they have the power to do big things with their small bodies. Also, because they move around quickly, they are popular as animals that are light on their feet and bring good luck to you.

They multiply a lot!

Mice can have babies many times in just one year. Because of this, they are seen as a symbol of having many children (growing your family) and growing your wealth.

• People also said that a house with lots of rats was a wealthy home with plenty of food.
• It holds a wish for many things to keep growing and to bring good fortune.

Why is it holding a rice ball?

The rat in this picture is holding an onigiri rice ball! Rats have a deep connection with food and rice.

• For a long time, rats have had a habit of storing away food, so they have been seen as a symbol of a rich harvest.
• Onigiri rice balls are made from rice, a very important food for Japanese people. Maybe this Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) is holding a precious rice ball with a wish that "you will never run out of food"!

What are people born in the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) like?

People born in the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) are clever and fast-moving like a rat! Because of this, it is said that they have the following traits.

• Smart and very thoughtful: They look at what is around them and can act quickly.
• Hardworking and a real go-getter: Once they set a goal, they can keep trying bit by bit with real effort.
• Great at using money wisely: They do not waste money, and they are great at saving it carefully.

What years were born in the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac)?

People born in the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) were born in these years.

• 2044
• 2032
• 2020
• 2008
• 1996
• 1984

How to Choose Colors: Have Fun Coloring the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac)!

Basic body color: Rats are usually gray, brown, or white. But this coloring page is the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac), so try coloring it with any colors you like!

• Cute colors: It's also fun to make a cute rat with bright colors like pink, light blue, and yellow!
• Colors for good luck with money: If you color it yellow or gold, you might get blessings that bring you more riches!
• Japanese-style colors: Since this is a Japanese zodiac, it's also wonderful to try traditional Japanese colors like vermilion or navy blue.
• If you use a slightly paler pink or skin tone for the insides of the ears and hands, they will look soft!

How to color with a 3D effect: Make it look round and fluffy!

A Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac)'s face and body are round and plump. When you color round things, try to think about "shadows" and "lights." That will make them look 3D! Places in the shade

• Behind the rice ball (the part hidden by the rice ball)
• Under the chin and at the base of the tail
• The bottom of the body (the part close to the ground)
• If you use a slightly darker color around the edges than your main color, it will look nice and round! Places where light hits
• On the other hand, if you keep lighter colors near the middle, like the forehead, tummy, and cheeks, it will look like light is shining on them!

Make the special "swirl patterns" stand out!

This rat has swirls and circle patterns on its body. These patterns are the best part of this coloring page!

• If you color just the patterns using a different color or a darker color than the body, your Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) will look unique and stylish.
• It is also fun to color each spiral with bright colors like red, blue, and yellow!
• When you color the patterns, if you leave some colored pencil lines visible, it creates a rough texture just like real cloth.

Tips for coloring the rice ball to make it look delicious!

The rice ball that Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) is holding is a very important part.

• For the "rice" part of the rice ball, use white or light cream color to make it look soft and fluffy.
• For the "nori seaweed" part of the rice ball, use dark green or black to make it look nice and crispy. If you add one white line to make it look a little shiny, it will look even more real!

Hints for enjoying your coloring page!

• Express yourself freely!
• You do not have to use real colors. You can color it any way you like, just as you imagine a fun Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) would be. A colorful Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) is fun, too!
• Try adding a background!
• Is the Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac) next to some New Year's rice cakes? Or is it on top of a pile of gold coins? If you add a background, your picture will look even more alive!

Use your favorite colors to finish this smart, cute "Year of the Rat (Japanese Zodiac)"!