Year of the Rooster
The Rooster is sign number 10 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Rooster year are traditionally described as observant, hardworking, honest and confident. Its fixed element is Metal, and each Rooster year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Rooster
| Lucky numbers | 5, 7, 8 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Gold, Brown, Yellow |
| Lucky directions | South, Southeast |
| Less favourable numbers | 1, 3, 9 |
| Less favourable colors | Red |
| Less favourable directions | East |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Ox, Snake |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Dragon |
| Clash (六冲) | Rabbit |
| Harm (六害) | Dog |
| Punishment (刑) | Self-punishment (Rooster with Rooster) |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Rooster years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Metal Rooster | Feb 8, 1921 – Jan 27, 1922 |
| 1933 | Water Rooster | Jan 26, 1933 – Feb 13, 1934 |
| 1945 | Wood Rooster | Feb 13, 1945 – Feb 1, 1946 |
| 1957 | Fire Rooster | Jan 31, 1957 – Feb 17, 1958 |
| 1969 | Earth Rooster | Feb 17, 1969 – Feb 5, 1970 |
| 1981 | Metal Rooster | Feb 5, 1981 – Jan 24, 1982 |
| 1993 | Water Rooster | Jan 23, 1993 – Feb 9, 1994 |
| 2005 | Wood Rooster | Feb 9, 2005 – Jan 28, 2006 |
| 2017 | Fire Rooster | Jan 28, 2017 – Feb 15, 2018 |
| 2029 | Earth Rooster | Feb 13, 2029 – Feb 2, 2030 |
| 2041 | Metal Rooster | Feb 1, 2041 – Jan 21, 2042 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Rooster?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Rooster the lucky numbers 5, 7, 8 and the less favourable numbers 1, 3, 9.
What colors are lucky for the Rooster?
Lucky colors for the Rooster are Gold, Brown, Yellow; less favourable colors are Red.
Which signs are most compatible with the Rooster?
The Rooster forms a harmonious trine with the Ox, Snake and a “secret friend” pair with the Dragon. Its classical clash is with the Rabbit.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.