Year of the....2020?

[CarlosArt]

Apologies if covered elsewhere, but I couldn't see a related topic.

So, we have two silver coins this year, commemorating the Year of the....well, what is it? Rat or Mouse? As I understand the legend, it's often referred to as the mouse who jumped on the Ox's back, who swam across the river, jumped off first and is therefore the first lunar creature in the series. The order was set following a crossing of a river challenge I believe.

However, the Year of the Rat is often touted and having lived in Asia, it is the Rat that is often referred, not the Year of the Mouse.

I ask as I want to buy said coins, but want to purchase the coin that reflects the year that is widely acknowledged.

So, year of the Rat or Mouse...what is the correct Year...or should I just buy both?!

[wolfiemac]

did this search on google

Seems 2020 is the year of the Rat according to Chinese zodiac.

Mouse is the first in the 12-year cycle of Japanese zodiac.

So both right just depends on what country me thinks!

[CarlosArt]

Thanks for your response, I hadn't seen that, but appreciate your time. Good reason now to buy two coins rather than one!

[wolfiemac]

2 hours ago, CarlMilesArt said:

Thanks for your response, I hadn't seen that, but appreciate your time. Good reason now to buy two coins rather than one!

I was under the impression it was a chinese theme as in Newcastle we have a massive chinese population with its own China Town so your question did make my little brain think  👍

[Roy]

Similar confusion with the Year of the Rabbit- in Vietnam, it's the Year of the Cat 🙂

[CarlosArt]

So, different Asian countries have their own interpretations it seems. Think this answers my original question perfectly, thanks  all! Have a great weekend