Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Yin-yang: Yin
Symbolic qualities
- honest
- meticulous
- diligent
- confident
The Rooster is the symbol of order and honesty. It cares for detail and does not mince words. Its shadow side is perfectionism and being too critical.
The inward, receptive, nurturing side. In yin years the element is expressed in a calmer, deeper way.
Cultural note
The rooster announces the dawn, so it is linked with daytime and a regular life. Because its name in Chinese (雞) sounds close to the word for "auspicious" (吉), it also carries an image of good wishes in folk art.
Things you might reflect on
- What does "good enough" look like to you?
- Did you appreciate a carefully done piece of work this week?
- How could you say an honest word more gently?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1909 · Earth · 22 January 1909
- 1921 · Metal · 8 February 1921
- 1933 · Water · 26 January 1933
- 1945 · Wood · 13 February 1945
- 1957 · Fire · 31 January 1957
- 1969 · Earth · 17 February 1969
- 1981 · Metal · 5 February 1981
- 1993 · Water · 23 January 1993
- 2005 · Wood · 9 February 2005
- 2017 · Fire · 28 January 2017
- 2029 · Earth · 13 February 2029
- 2041 · Metal · 1 February 2041
- 2053 · Water · 19 February 2053
- 2065 · Wood · 5 February 2065
- 2077 · Fire · 24 January 2077
- 2089 · Earth · 10 February 2089
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Rooster
- Metal trims wood: order and care give direction to creativity. A detail-minded, productive and more flexible rooster.
- Fire Rooster
- Fire works metal: honesty and passion come forward. Visible, with a love of the stage; softening the critical tone does good.
- Earth Rooster
- Earth gives birth to metal: orderly, reliable and calm. Its meticulousness turns into concrete results.
- Metal Rooster
- The rooster doubled in its own element: clear, disciplined, self-assured. Watch the tendency to perfectionism and sharpness.
- Water Rooster
- Metal gives birth to water: honesty becomes more fluid and sensitive. A rooster who voices criticism with tact and who listens.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.