Year of the Rooster
The Rooster in the Chinese zodiac — personality, compatibility, career, and lucky traits.
Rooster
| Animal | 酉 Rooster |
|---|---|
| Order | 10 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | You |
| Fixed element | Metal |
| Best matches | Ox, Snake |
| Clash (avoid) | Rabbit |
| Lucky | Lucky numbers 5, 7, and 8; lucky colours gold, brown, and yellow; lucky flowers gladiola and cockscomb. |
What is the Year of the Rooster?
The Rooster (酉, branch You) is sign 10 of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, with the fixed element Metal. The Rooster is the tenth sign of the Chinese zodiac — confident, observant, and hard-working. Rooster people are sharp-eyed perfectionists with a flair for the dramatic and a strong sense of pride. Honest, punctual, and diligent, they speak their minds, keep their word, and take genuine pleasure in a job done well. Ruled by the fixed element Metal, the Rooster combines meticulous discipline with bold self-expression, making it one of the most capable and self-assured signs of the cycle.
Rooster strengths
Observant, hard-working, and confident, Roosters are diligent perfectionists with a keen eye for detail. Honest, loyal, and courageous, they speak the truth and honour their commitments. Organised and capable, they take pride in excellence, and their flair, energy, and reliability make them both dependable and quietly charismatic.
Rooster weaknesses
Roosters can be blunt, critical, and boastful, quick to point out flaws in themselves and others. Their perfectionism breeds impatience and vanity, and their frankness may wound. Proud and opinionated, they can be argumentative or defensive, and their high standards sometimes leave them anxious or hard to please.
Rooster love and compatibility
In love the Rooster is devoted, honest, and attentive, showing care through loyalty and practical support. They match best with the Ox and Snake of their trine, who value their reliability and depth. Their clash is the Rabbit, whose sensitivity is bruised by the Rooster's blunt, critical honesty.
Rooster career and work
Roosters excel in detail-driven, presentation-focused fields: management, accounting, law, medicine, journalism, the military, and the performing arts. Diligent and precise, they set high standards and deliver reliably. Their confidence and eye for detail make them capable leaders and meticulous professionals who take real pride in their work.
What years are the Year of the Rooster?
Recent and upcoming Years of the Rooster:
- 1957
- 1969
- 1981
- 1993
- 2005
- 2017
- 2029
- 2041
Note: the Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year (late January to mid-February), not January 1. If you were born in that window, your sign may be the previous year’s animal — your BaZi chart settles it precisely.
Your animal is only one pillar
Your birth year gives your zodiac animal — but your full BaZi (Four Pillars) chart maps the year, month, day, and hour, revealing your elements, Day Master, and destiny.
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