Year of the Rooster鸡年 jī nián · the tenth animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 10 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 鸡 jī - Rooster
- Everyday word
- 公鸡 gōngjī
- “Year of the Rooster”
- 鸡年 jī nián
- Earthly Branch
- 酉 yǒu
- Hours of the day
- 5 pm – 7 pm
- Yin or yang
- Yin
- Next Rooster year
- 2029 (13 February 2029 - 2 February 2030)
Year of the Rooster years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | 22 Jan 1909 | 9 Feb 1910 | Earth |
| 1921 | 8 Feb 1921 | 27 Jan 1922 | Metal |
| 1933 | 26 Jan 1933 | 13 Feb 1934 | Water |
| 1945 | 13 Feb 1945 | 1 Feb 1946 | Wood |
| 1957 | 31 Jan 1957 | 17 Feb 1958 | Fire |
| 1969 | 17 Feb 1969 | 5 Feb 1970 | Earth |
| 1981 | 5 Feb 1981 | 24 Jan 1982 | Metal |
| 1993 | 23 Jan 1993 | 9 Feb 1994 | Water |
| 2005 | 9 Feb 2005 | 28 Jan 2006 | Wood |
| 2017 | 28 Jan 2017 | 15 Feb 2018 | Fire |
| 2029 | 13 Feb 2029 | 2 Feb 2030 | Earth |
| 2041 | 1 Feb 2041 | 21 Jan 2042 | Metal |
How to say Year of the Rooster in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Rooster personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Rooster are traditionally described as observant, hard-working and outspoken, with an eye for detail.
Said to be
- observant
- hard-working
- confident
- punctual
Said to watch out for
- blunt
- critical
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Rooster in the Great Race
In the Great Race it was the Rooster that found the raft, and it shared it with the Goat and the Monkey. The three arrived together and the Rooster was given tenth place.
The Rooster in Chinese culture
鸡 (jī) sounds close to 吉 (jí, “lucky”), so roosters appear in New Year pictures with the wish 大吉大利 (dà jí dà lì), “great luck and great profit.”
The zodiac character 鸡 simply means “chicken”; a rooster is 公鸡 (gōngjī) and a hen is 母鸡 (mǔjī). Because the rooster crows at dawn, it also stands for being on time.
Chinese idioms with 鸡
鹤立鸡群
hè lì jī qún
"a crane standing among chickens"
Someone who stands out clearly from the people around them.
闻鸡起舞
wén jī qǐ wǔ
"rising to practise at the rooster's crow"
Working hard from early morning; being diligent.
Rooster compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Rooster?
Recent and coming Years of the Rooster are 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Rooster?
The next Year of the Rooster runs from 13 February 2029 to 2 February 2030.
How do you say Year of the Rooster in Chinese?
It is 鸡年 (jī nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属鸡 (wǒ shǔ jī).
Is it the Year of the Rooster or the Year of the Chicken?
The Chinese word 鸡 (jī) means chicken in general. English usually says Year of the Rooster.