Chinese zodiac · 10 of 12
酉 The Rooster
The Rooster is the zodiac's perfectionist. Its branch 酉 (Yǒu) sits at due West and the autumn equinox, the season of harvest. Roosters are observant, hardworking and proud of doing things properly.
- Branch
- 酉 Yǒu
- Fixed element
- Metal
- Polarity
- Yin
- Direction
- West (W)
- Hours
- 5 – 7 pm
- Solar month starts
- about 8 Sep (White Dew)
Rooster years and their elements
Each Rooster year also carries one of the five elements, so a Rooster born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 癸酉 Yin Water Rooster | 4 Feb 1933 | 4 Feb 1934 |
| 1945 | 乙酉 Yin Wood Rooster | 4 Feb 1945 | 4 Feb 1946 |
| 1957 | 丁酉 Yin Fire Rooster | 4 Feb 1957 | 4 Feb 1958 |
| 1969 | 己酉 Yin Earth Rooster | 4 Feb 1969 | 4 Feb 1970 |
| 1981 | 辛酉 Yin Metal Rooster | 4 Feb 1981 | 4 Feb 1982 |
| 1993 | 癸酉 Yin Water Rooster | 4 Feb 1993 | 4 Feb 1994 |
| 2005 | 乙酉 Yin Wood Rooster | 4 Feb 2005 | 4 Feb 2006 |
| 2017 | 丁酉 Yin Fire Rooster | 3 Feb 2017 | 4 Feb 2018 |
| 2029 | 己酉 Yin Earth Rooster | 3 Feb 2029 | 4 Feb 2030 |
Rooster personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Rooster. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Organised, precise and punctual
- Honest and outspoken
- Hardworking and practical
- Confident in appearance and presentation
Watch out for: Roosters can be critical of themselves and others. They may be blunt and struggle with messy situations they cannot control.
Rooster at work
Roosters suit precise, organised work: accounting, editing, administration, the military, beauty and fashion. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Rooster compatibility
The Dragon is the Rooster's six-harmony partner, and the Snake and Ox form its three-harmony trio. The Rabbit is its opposite, so Rooster–Rabbit pairings need gentleness in how feedback is given.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Dragon | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Ox and Snake | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Rabbit | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Dog | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Rooster
The Rooster is Yin Metal. Metallic accents, white and soft golds suit it, supported by Earth tones. Its direction is due West. Roosters feel best in a tidy home with good storage; visible clutter drains them quickly.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Rooster in 2026 and 2027
The Fire Horse year brings some pressure to the Rooster's Metal. Keep plans simple, look after your health and avoid over-promising at work.
2027 (Fire Goat) is broadly neutral for your sign.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.