Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Rooster
You (酉), the 10th of the 12 Earthly Branches.
Quick Answer
People born in the Year of the Rooster include those born in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 and 2029, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Rooster is the Year of the Earth Rooster, from February 13, 2029 to February 2, 2030. The Rooster is observant, punctual, candid and hardworking.
Years of the Rooster
Each year starts at Lunar New Year. If your birthday falls before the start date, you belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Sexagenary Name | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 Water Rooster | Gui You (癸酉) | ||
| 1945 Wood Rooster | Yi You (乙酉) | ||
| 1957 Fire Rooster | Ding You (丁酉) | ||
| 1969 Earth Rooster | Ji You (己酉) | ||
| 1981 Metal Rooster | Xin You (辛酉) | ||
| 1993 Water Rooster | Gui You (癸酉) | ||
| 2005 Wood Rooster | Yi You (乙酉) | ||
| 2017 Fire Rooster | Ding You (丁酉) | ||
| 2029 Earth Rooster | Ji You (己酉) | ||
| 2041 Metal Rooster | Xin You (辛酉) |
Every Rooster year from 1900 to 2100 is in the full table.
Rooster Personality
The Rooster is associated with precision, honesty and a striking sense of presentation. It is organized and brave in saying what it thinks, and it can be critical, vain or blunt.
Strengths: Diligence, honesty, confidence, attention to detail. Challenges: Criticism, perfectionism, bluntness.
The year element adds its own color: a Fire Rooster is more outgoing and a Water Rooster more reflective. Find your element by birth year in the table above.
The Rooster in the Year of the Fire Horse
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Rooster is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is neutral.
Rooster Compatibility
The Rooster's best matches are the Dragon, Ox and Snake (Six Harmonies with the Dragon, the Metal trine with the Ox and Snake). Its classical clash is with the Rabbit.
| Sign | Relationship | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon | Six Harmonies (Liu He) | The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive. |
| Ox | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Snake | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Tiger | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Horse | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Goat | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Monkey | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Pig | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rat | Break (Liu Po) | Minor friction that can disrupt plans. |
| Dog | Harm (Liu Hai) | Subtle misunderstandings that need patience. |
| Rabbit | Clash (Liu Chong) | Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference. |
Are You a Rooster?
Check a birthday against the exact Lunar New Year date.
The Other Animals
Questions About the Rooster
What Years Are the Year of the Rooster?
People born in the Year of the Rooster include those born in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 and 2029, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Rooster is the Year of the Earth Rooster, from February 13, 2029 to February 2, 2030. The Rooster is observant, punctual, candid and hardworking.
What Is the Rooster Personality in the Chinese Zodiac?
The Rooster is associated with precision, honesty and a striking sense of presentation. It is organized and brave in saying what it thinks, and it can be critical, vain or blunt. Strengths: Diligence, honesty, confidence, attention to detail. Challenges: Criticism, perfectionism, bluntness.
Who Is the Rooster Most Compatible With?
The Rooster's best matches are the Dragon, Ox and Snake (Six Harmonies with the Dragon, the Metal trine with the Ox and Snake). Its classical clash is with the Rabbit.
Is the Rooster in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Rooster is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is neutral.
I Was Born in January or February. Am I a Rooster?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
Data for this page: JSON, Markdown. Free to cite with a link to this page.