Chinese Zodiac-Year of the Rooster

The Year of the Rooster (鸡年) is one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Year of the Rooster corresponds to the Earthly Branch "You" (酉). The Rooster is ranked tenth in the zodiac cycle, following the Monkey and preceding the Dog.

In the Gan-Zhi system, a year is designated as the Year of the Rooster if the remainder of the year number divided by 12 equals 1. For example, 2017 divided by 12 gives a quotient of 168 and a remainder of 1, so 2017 was the Year of the Rooster.

Year of the Rooster: Basic Information

The Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac

The Rooster holds the tenth position in the twelve zodiac animals, corresponding to the Earthly Branch "You" (酉). The years that are Rooster Years include:

• 1909

• 1921

• 1933

• 1945

• 1957

• 1969

• 1981

• 1993

• 2005

• 2017

• 2029

• 2041

Please note that the lunar year begins on Lichun (the beginning of spring), which usually falls on February 4th or 5th on the Gregorian calendar. Hence, the beginning of the year can vary depending on the Chinese lunar calendar.

The Year 2017

The 2017 Year of the Rooster was a Leap Year in the Chinese lunar calendar. It began on January 28, 2017, and ended on February 15, 2018, spanning a total of 384 days. Due to the leap 6th month, this year had 6 short months (29 days) and 7 long months (30 days).

The Origins of the Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac

The Rooster King and His Rivalry

The Rooster King (鸡王) is known for his pride and competitive spirit. In ancient Chinese myth, the Rooster was not initially chosen as one of the twelve zodiac animals, because it was not seen as having contributed as much to humanity. One day, the Rooster saw the Horse (马), who was receiving admiration and luxury, and felt jealous. The Horse shared that it had earned its place due to its contributions, like helping with farming and warfare. The Rooster, who was known for his beautiful voice, decided that he could help humanity by waking people up at dawn with his crowing.

Inspired by this idea, the Rooster started crowing at dawn every day, waking people from their sleep. Soon, people became very grateful to the Rooster for this service. However, the Jade Emperor (玉帝) did not initially include the Rooster among the zodiac animals, as he only chose land animals and not birds.

The Rooster’s Struggle to Be Included in the Zodiac

The Rooster was upset and confused about this oversight. One night, unable to sleep, he flew up to the Heavenly Palace to plead with the Jade Emperor. The Rooster explained that his daily crowing helped wake humanity, and he felt he deserved a place among the zodiac animals. The Jade Emperor, impressed by the Rooster's dedication, decided to reward him by allowing him to compete for a spot in the zodiac.

On the day of the zodiac competition, the Rooster and the Dog (狗) woke up early and raced to the Heavenly Palace. The Rooster, wanting to make sure the Dog didn't surpass him, flew ahead, causing the Dog to fall behind. As a result, the Rooster was placed before the Dog in the zodiac, and the Dog's dislike for the Rooster began. This is why, in Chinese culture, we have the saying, “A Dog chases a Chicken”, referring to the Dog's resentment toward the Rooster.

Since then, the Rooster has proudly worn a red flower on its head, a symbol of the Jade Emperor’s favor. To this day, the Rooster continues to crow every morning, welcoming the dawn with its iconic call.

Fun Facts about the Rooster

• The Rooster's crowing at dawn symbolizes the arrival of the sun and is a symbol of new beginnings and hope.

• The Rooster is known for its pride, confidence, and courage, and these traits are reflected in people born during the Year of the Rooster.

People born in the Year of the Rooster are believed to be ambitious, hardworking, and extremely self-assured. They often enjoy taking the lead and making decisions.