This section will tell you about the Mouse (or the rat), one of the twelve animals in chinese astrology.  Since this is "The Mouse Corner", it is only going to be on the mouse, not other animals.  And since your lovable host Sailor Iron Mouse is not really interested in astrology, this will only cover very basic information.  If you are interested to know more about Chinese astrology, I'm sure you can find out a lot more on the internet.

First of all, Chinese zodiac is a cycle of twelve Chinese year place under the sign of twelve animals.  If you have read "A Mouse Story", you should know that the twelve animals are: Mouse (or Rat), Buffalo (or Ox), Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Before we go on, I need to explain the Chinese calendar too.  Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means the basic unit is lunar month and it approximate the solar year by adding leap months.  In another words, the length of a month is about the numbers of days between 2 new moons (usually 29 or 30 days).  There are 12 full months in a year which makes a Chinese year about 11 days short from the solar year (~365 days).  To make up the missing days, leap month is added.  That's the reason why Chinese New Year is on a different day each year.  The day for Chinese New Year and which month has a leap month are calculate and adjusted according to astronomical phenomenons, but the general rule is, Chinese New Year takes place between January 21 and February 20.  I have a 33 pages long article explaining the Chinese Calendar in details (trust me, it is very complicated O.o;;).  If you are interested, e-mail me and I can send it to you. ^^

Now, let's get back to the zodiac...  Of course the Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese Calendar.  Therefore, to find out your animal sign, your birthday has to be converted to the date in Chinese calendar.  You can go to the reference website linked at the bottom of this page to find out.  It has the best information and the most accurate convertion.  Most books and sites that tells you which year is which animal year does not work for people who has a birthday at the beginning of a Georgian calendar year but the end of the Chinese calendar year in the year he or she was born (i.e, possibly birthdays from January 1 to February 19).

Here is the personality of the people who has the Mouse (or Rat) sign: (from Astrology.com)

Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity.

Behind that sweet smile, though, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. This Sign is motivated by its own interests, which often include money; greed can become a problem if the Rat isn't careful to keep its priorities straight. This Sign's natural powers of charm and persuasion can definitely come in handy! Although they are often hoarders, Rats can be very generous to those in their "pack," namely friends and family members who have proven their loyalty. Others might perceive them as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish. Verbal jousting is a great pleasure for the Rat, a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.

Rats enjoy being on the outside looking in, as the outside affords a view into the inner workings of a system or situation. The Rat's keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp. If boredom sets in the Rat is no fun at all, but that isn't likely; this Sign knows how to keep itself entertained.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.

The most compatible match for a Rat is the Dragon or the Monkey.

The Western Astrology counterpart to the Rat of Chinese Astrology is the Sign of Sagittarius.

I will not quote more character of different rats in here.  For detail, please go to go to "The Five Elements and the Twelve Signs" to find out.  Matching the western zodiac and the Chinese zodiac together will give you a even more specific personality description.  You can find that on the same site.
 

Having read all these, I'm sure you wish you has a mouse sign too! ^^  You are not a mouse?  No problem, visit these two wonderful site on Chinese Astrology to find out about your sign and the personality.  The above information are taken from these 2 sites:
Master Rao's Astrology
Astrology.com - Chinese Astrology

Disclaimer:  The webmaster of this page introduces Chinese zoadiac in here solely for the purpose of explaining the basic of Chinese Astrology, the Chinese calendar and what they have to do with mouse or rat.  The webmaster does not recommend involving astrology as in horoscope to predict future, or to try to contract supernatural in any ways by any means; and does not recommend any supernatural or religious beliefs other than believing in the one and only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.