雞Chinese zodiac · 10th sign
Year of the Rooster 雞 (jī) · Observant, hard-working and proudly honest
The Rooster is the tenth sign, linked with punctuality, honesty and the dawn. People born in a Rooster year are diligent, organized and outspoken.
- Yin sign
- Fixed element: Metal
- Hours: 5pm–7pm
- Branch: 酉 yǒu
Recent years
2005 · 2017 · 2029
Lucky numbers
5, 7, 8
Lucky colors
Gold, brown, yellow
Lucky flowers
Gladiolus, cockscomb
Best matches
Ox, Snake, Dragon
Challenging matches
Rabbit, Dog
Year of the Rooster dates
The Year of the Rooster comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Water Rooster is not quite the same as a Wood Rooster.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 26 Jan 1933 – 13 Feb 1934 | Water Rooster | 癸酉 (guǐ yǒu) |
| 1945 | 13 Feb 1945 – 1 Feb 1946 | Wood Rooster | 乙酉 (yǐ yǒu) |
| 1957 | 31 Jan 1957 – 17 Feb 1958 | Fire Rooster | 丁酉 (dīng yǒu) |
| 1969 | 17 Feb 1969 – 5 Feb 1970 | Earth Rooster | 己酉 (jǐ yǒu) |
| 1981 | 5 Feb 1981 – 24 Jan 1982 | Metal Rooster | 辛酉 (xīn yǒu) |
| 1993 | 23 Jan 1993 – 9 Feb 1994 | Water Rooster | 癸酉 (guǐ yǒu) |
| 2005 | 9 Feb 2005 – 28 Jan 2006 | Wood Rooster | 乙酉 (yǐ yǒu) |
| 2017 | 28 Jan 2017 – 15 Feb 2018 | Fire Rooster | 丁酉 (dīng yǒu) |
| 2029 | 13 Feb 2029 – 2 Feb 2030 | Earth Rooster | 己酉 (jǐ yǒu) |
| 2041 | 1 Feb 2041 – 21 Jan 2042 | Metal Rooster | 辛酉 (xīn yǒu) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Rooster personality
Roosters notice everything. They are practical, precise and proud of doing things properly, with a flair for presentation. They say what they think and can be surprised when others find it blunt.
Strengths
- Organized and efficient
- Honest and direct
- Hard-working and reliable
- Confident and stylish
Weaknesses
- Can be critical
- Perfectionist
- Likes to be right
- May seem vain
The five types of Rooster
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Rooster’s own fixed element is Metal, and each Rooster year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Rooster love and compatibility
Roosters are loyal, devoted partners who show love through practical help. They need appreciation and a partner who can take honest feedback.
In Chinese astrology the Rooster gets on best with the Ox, Snake and Dragon. The Rabbit is the Rooster’s opposite sign, and the Dog can also be a testing match.
Rooster career and wellbeing
Career and money
Roosters excel where accuracy and standards matter. They plan well, manage detail and are not afraid of responsibility.
- Accounting and auditing
- Management and administration
- Military, police and public service
- Hospitality and styling
Health and wellbeing
Roosters are active and disciplined but worry about details. Letting some things be merely good enough is healthy for them.
Lucky numbers: 5, 7, 8. Lucky colors: gold, brown, yellow. Lucky flowers: Gladiolus, cockscomb.
The Rooster in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
A steady year for the Rooster. In 2026 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
A steady year for the Rooster. In 2027 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
The Rooster in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Rooster found the raft that carried it, the Goat and the Monkey across the river, and finished tenth.
The Rooster is the 10th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 酉 (yǒu), the hours 5pm–7pm and Yin energy.
Rooster questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Rooster?
Recent Years of the Rooster are 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 and 2029. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Rooster’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Rooster are traditionally observant, hard-working and confident. Roosters notice everything.
Who is the Rooster most compatible with?
The Rooster is most compatible with the Ox, Snake and Dragon. The most challenging matches are the Rabbit and Dog.
What are the Rooster’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Rooster’s lucky numbers are 5, 7, 8 and its lucky colors are gold, brown, yellow. Numbers traditionally avoided are 1, 3, 9, and colors to avoid are red, green.
What element is the Rooster?
The Rooster’s fixed element is Metal. In addition, every Rooster year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Rooster, Fire Rooster, Earth Rooster, Metal Rooster and Water Rooster.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.
