Year of the Rooster
The Rooster is the observer of the zodiac. Sharp-eyed, well-presented, and direct to the point of bluntness, Rooster natives notice everything and rarely flatter. Their criticism, when it comes, is usually correct.
Rooster Birth Years
The Rooster year repeats every twelve years. Recent Rooster years include:
Because Chinese New Year falls between late January and mid-February, anyone born in those weeks should check the exact Lunar New Year date for their birth year before assuming a sign.
Rooster Personality
At their core, Rooster natives are observant, organized, direct, confident, critical. The fixed element Metal grounds their nature in precision, structure, and refinement; the Yin polarity means they lead with receptive, internal, sustaining energy. The closest Western zodiac analogue is Virgo, though the comparison is loose — Chinese and Western astrology read from different traditions.
Rooster in Love
In love, the Rooster precise and loyal, has high standards, prefers partners who keep themselves sharp. The strongest classical matches are with the Ox, Snake, Dragon — two from the Rooster's Three Harmonies trine plus the "secret friend" from the Six Combinations (Liu He). The hardest pairing is with the Rabbit, which classical Chinese astrology calls a Six Conflicts opposition.
Rooster Career and Strengths
Professionally, the Rooster excels at analysis, journalism, military, anywhere observation and discipline are rewarded. The shadow side to watch for is can be perfectionist, critical, or so blunt they alienate sensitive people — when Rooster natives are stressed or unsupported, those tendencies surface and tend to derail otherwise strong work.
Rooster Lucky Colors, Numbers & Things to Avoid
Lucky colors
gold, brown, yellow
Lucky numbers
5, 7, 8
Avoid
white
Rooster Compatibility With Every Sign
Tap any animal for the full Rooster & partner reading.
Rooster — Common Questions
Which years are Year of the Rooster?
Recent Rooster years include 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. Because the Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar, the year begins on Chinese New Year (late January to mid-February) — anyone born in January or early February should verify against the exact Lunar New Year date for their birth year.
What is the personality of someone born in the Year of the Rooster?
Rooster natives are observant, organized, direct, confident, critical. The fixed element Metal and Yin polarity shape how those traits express in daily life. The Rooster is the observer of the zodiac. Sharp-eyed, well-presented, and direct to the point of bluntness, Rooster natives notice everything and rarely flatter. Their criticism, when it comes, is usually correct.
Who is the Rooster most compatible with?
Classically, Rooster natives align best with the Ox, Snake, Dragon — two trine partners plus one Six Combinations "secret friend." The Six Conflicts opposite is the Rabbit, which requires the most deliberate work to make function.
What are the lucky colors and numbers for the Rooster?
Lucky colors for the Rooster: gold, brown, yellow. Lucky numbers: 5, 7, 8. Less favorable colors include white.