Stellune
The Rooster is the tenth animal of the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac’s straight talker. Roosters are confident, observant and hard-working, with high standards and an eye for detail.
The Rooster personality
Roosters are punctual, organised and direct. They say what they think, take pride in how they look and how they work, and like things done properly.
Strengths: honesty, diligence, confidence, attention to detail.
Blind spots: bluntness, perfectionism, and being too critical of themselves and others.
Rooster years
You’re a Rooster if you were born in one of these years, on or after that year’s Chinese New Year:
| Year | Element | New Year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Fire Rooster | 31 January 1957 |
| 1969 | Earth Rooster | 17 February 1969 |
| 1981 | Metal Rooster | 5 February 1981 |
| 1993 | Water Rooster | 23 January 1993 |
| 2005 | Wood Rooster | 9 February 2005 |
| 2017 | Fire Rooster | 28 January 2017 |
The next Rooster year is 2029, an Earth Rooster, starting on 13 February 2029. Born in January or February? Check with the Chinese zodiac calculator.
The five kinds of Rooster
Each Rooster year also has an element, which colours the Rooster’s nature. The Rooster’s own fixed element is Metal.
- Wood Rooster: the most open-minded Rooster, cooperative and kind.
- Fire Rooster: the most passionate Rooster, energetic and proud.
- Earth Rooster: the most practical Rooster, careful and dependable.
- Metal Rooster: the most precise Rooster, determined and principled.
- Water Rooster: the most perceptive Rooster, sharp-minded and good at reading people.
Rooster compatibility
| Kind of match | Animals |
|---|---|
| Best friends (same trine) | Ox, Snake |
| Secret friend | Dragon |
| Opposite (clash) | Rabbit |
| Tricky pairing | Dog |
The Ox and Snake share your values and pace. The Dragon is your quiet, steady ally. The Rabbit is your opposite: lots of spark, and lots of friction. Check any pairing with the Chinese zodiac compatibility calculator.
The Rooster at work and in love
Roosters thrive where standards matter: accounting, medicine, engineering, the military, quality control, fashion and management. In love, Roosters are loyal and attentive. They need a partner who appreciates their honesty and doesn’t take their directness personally.
The Rooster in 2026 and 2027
The 2026 Fire Horse year is a neutral year for the Rooster: steady, with no strong pull either way, so what you put in is what you get out. The 2027 Fire Goat year, which begins on 6 February 2027, is a neutral year for the Rooster: steady, with no strong pull either way, so what you put in is what you get out.
Questions people ask
What years are the Rooster in the Chinese zodiac?
1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 and 2029, each counted from that year’s Chinese New Year.
Who is the Rooster most compatible with?
The Ox and Snake (its trine partners) and the Dragon (its secret friend).
Which animal does the Rooster clash with?
The Rabbit, which sits opposite the Rooster on the zodiac wheel. A clash means different needs and pace, not a match that can’t work.
What is the Rooster's element?
Each Rooster year has its own element, and the Rooster’s fixed element is Metal.
Astrology here is for reflection and self-understanding. It doesn't predict events, and it isn't medical, legal or financial advice.