Did you know that the Rat is not only the honored first animal among the 12 zodiacs, but also embodies profound Yin-Yang philosophies and the unique survival instincts of our ancestors?

In the beginning, the Rat's rise to the leading position did not come from physical strength but from clever and agile thinking. Folk legends tell of how the Rat used its wits to ask for a "ride" on the Buffalo's head, then used the momentum of being tossed off to reach the finish line first. In another version, the Rat skillfully stood on the Buffalo's back to deceive the eyes, causing people to gasp in awe and exclaim, "This Rat is huge!" and thus successfully tricked the Jade Emperor [1].

In the Vietnamese consciousness, the image of the rat is not merely that of a small animal; according to folk beliefs, it is a symbol of wisdom, flexibility, and a fierce survival instinct. For example, in a familiar allegorical folk poem:

The cat climbs up the areca tree,

Asking where the little mouse has gone and left the house empty,

The little mouse goes to the market a long way,

Buying fish sauce and salt for the cat's father's death anniversary

The image of the mouse, agile in recognizing dangerous situations, skillfully devises a scheme to escape danger while even leaving a message to retort to the cat, claiming it was busy at the market yet still managed to organize a memorial for its father despite the cat's audacity. Just like that, in everyday life, when faced with a chase, the mouse still sophisticatedly finds escape routes; making us, even when outsmarted, have to express admiration! [3]

Beyond myths and folklore, the image of the Rat is also closely linked to specific markers of time. For instance, during the hour of Tý (from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM), the Rat is at its most active. During the Lunar New Year, the "scritch-scratch" sounds of rats around the house on New Year's Eve are believed by farmers to be an omen of a new year filled with growth and prosperity. Furthermore, with its front paws having 4 toes carrying Yin energy and its hind paws having 5 toes carrying Yang energy, the Rat perfectly embodies the "Yin to the extreme produces Yang" philosophy, making it truly worthy of being chosen as the starting measure for the ancient cycle of time [2].

The power of the Rat's wisdom and unique survival instinct is no longer confined to legendary tales; it has now been realized right on the QiClash board. In every match, the Rat piece embodies a highly cautious path, moving step by step and advancing resolutely without ever retreating. However, once it has crossed the "River," the little mouse immediately expands its territory, gaining the ability to move sideways to create unpredictable and sudden breakthroughs.

Most notably, true to its clever hiding instincts, while "inside the cave," the Rat piece enters an immortal state—transforming into a solid defensive stronghold that stands side-by-side with other zodiac animals to protect its Water Crystal, while remaining ready to seize the opportunity to disrupt the opponent's formation.

Do you want to personally command the cunning Rat piece, utilizing cautious yet unpredictable moves to confuse your opponent and breach their defenses? Then what are you waiting for? Join us for an exchange and experience QiClash at the following location:

📍 QiClash Club: 8:00 - 12:00 every Sunday,

Ho Chi Minh City Children's Center, No. 04 Tu Xuong, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. This is where our Club gathers to play chess, learn, sharpen our thinking, and connect with a community of strategy enthusiasts.

What do you think about the unique "immortality in the cave" ability of the Rat piece on the QiClash board? Comment below which piece you would like us to decode the powers of in our upcoming posts!

Lăng Kính Đông Tây is a series where I, along with all of you, share cultural stories associated with the formation of QiClash.

Source:

[1] The Rat in the consciousness of ancient people -

[2] Why does the Rat lead the 12 zodiac? -

[3] Images of the rat in folk culture -