The Rooster 鸡
observant · hardworking · direct · confident
Rooster personality
Best traits: observant, hardworking, direct, confident. Roosters are organized, punctual, and honest to the point of bluntness. They notice detail others miss and take pride in doing a job well.
Weak spots: They can be critical, boastful, and inflexible about how things should be done. Roosters may argue a small point too long.
Rooster years
People born in these years are Roosters (check the Chinese New Year cut-off if you were born in January or February):
1933 · 1945 · 1957 · 1969 · 1981 · 1993 · 2005 · 2017 · 2029 · 2041
Rooster compatibility
- Best match: Dragon — the classic "secret friend" pairing.
- Also strong: Ox, Snake (same affinity triangle).
- Hardest match: Rabbit (direct opposition).
See how the Rooster pairs with all 12 signs →
The Rooster by element
Every Rooster also has one of five elements, set by the birth year: Wood Rooster · Fire Rooster · Earth Rooster · Metal Rooster · Water Rooster. The element colours the personality — see how the five elements work.
Lucky for the Rooster
Numbers: 5, 7, 8. Colors: gold, brown, yellow. Suggested careers: surgeon, auditor, soldier, restaurateur, journalist.
Frequently asked questions
What years are Rooster years?
Recent Rooster years are 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. They repeat every 12 years. If you were born in January or February, check the Chinese New Year date for your year.
What is the Rooster personality like?
Roosters are organized, punctual, and honest to the point of bluntness. They notice detail others miss and take pride in doing a job well. On the difficult side: They can be critical, boastful, and inflexible about how things should be done. Roosters may argue a small point too long.
Who is the Rooster most compatible with?
The Dragon (the "secret friend" pairing), plus the Ox and Snake. The hardest match is the Rabbit.
Is the Rooster a lucky sign?
No sign is luckier than another in the Chinese zodiac — each has strengths and weaknesses. The Rooster's lucky numbers are 5, 7, 8 and lucky colors are gold, brown, yellow.