The Rooster: observant, honest and hard-working

The story of the Rooster

The Rooster found the raft that carried it, the Goat and the Monkey across the river in the Great Race, and came tenth. Being the one who spots the solution is very Rooster.

Personality

Roosters are observant, organised and confident. They notice every detail, speak their mind and hold themselves to high standards. They are hard-working, punctual and often surprisingly brave.

In love

The Rooster is faithful and protective in love, showing care through dependability and practical help. They appreciate a partner who is honest with them and does not take offence at their frankness.

At work

Roosters excel where detail matters: accounting, medicine, journalism, planning, the military and any role that needs precision.

Something to watch

The Rooster can be blunt or critical, both of others and of itself. Softening the delivery, while keeping the honesty, wins the Rooster many more friends.

Friends, secret friend and clash

Friend group: the Rooster shares its rose pink colour on the wheel with the Ox and the Snake. Together they are the Builders, and they understand each other easily.
Secret friend: the Dragon. This quiet, loyal bond is shown by a matching jewel on the inner ring.
Clash: the Rabbit, directly opposite on the wheel. The two pull in opposite directions, which can mean friction, or real growth if both are willing to learn.

You can read more in Friend groups, secret friends and clashes.

Element and season

The Rooster’s own fixed element is Metal, and it is a Yin sign. It belongs to autumn on the wheel. Every Rooster year also carries a year element, which changes in a ten-year cycle, so a Fire Rooster and a Water Rooster share the same heart but show it differently. See The five elements for how the elements work.

Lucky things

Traditionally, the Rooster’s lucky numbers are 5, 7 and 8, its lucky colours are gold, brown and yellow, and its lucky flowers are gladiolus and cockscomb.

Rooster years

Your animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February, check the dates below carefully: you may belong to the animal before.

Year	Starts	Ends
Water Rooster	26 January 1933	13 February 1934
Wood Rooster	13 February 1945	1 February 1946
Fire Rooster	31 January 1957	17 February 1958
Earth Rooster	17 February 1969	5 February 1970
Metal Rooster	5 February 1981	24 January 1982
Water Rooster	23 January 1993	9 February 1994
Wood Rooster	9 February 2005	28 January 2006
Fire Rooster	28 January 2017	15 February 2018
Earth Rooster	13 February 2029	2 February 2030