Chinese Zodiac: The Rooster

Cock-a-doodle-do indeed!

The Rooster is tenth in the Chinese zodiac. Those born under this sign are proud, eloquent, and sharp with a strong sense of self-worth. Although they’re natural leaders, they can be quite solitary and often prefer to work autonomously.

Roosters are famed for their sense of style and fashion. They’ve an eye for aesthetics and express themselves through their clothing and appearance. Roosters love to dress up and show off their feathers, regardless of the event!

They’re honest, straightforward, and sincere. They’re usually the ones you seek out when you need advice. Roosters are extremely articulate, and say what they think. However, this doesn’t go both ways – they’re great at being critical but not that great at being criticised themselves! They do have a direct communication style, and don’t sugarcoat. But while this can come across as critical or harsh to some, it also shows how Roosters are dependable and trustworthy. 

A Rooster is meticulous, and loves detail. They pay super close attention to everything, and can be excellent organisers and planners. They’re also highly observant and analytical. Their keen eye for detail allows them to notice even the smallest of changes, or handle complex tasks. This trait helps a Rooster make informed decisions (by detecting discrepancies) but it can make them prone to overthinking, or becoming overly critical.

Ultimately? If you need something done efficiently and properly, then get a Rooster onto it! 

When they feel like it, Roosters can tap into pretty high energy levels. They like to control their output, but they have a capricious streak! They’ll always be open to a new experience, although they don’t really go seeking them (not in the same way a Dragon or Horse would). Roosters also prefer to apply their strong work ethic to things that give them creative release. They can be total workaholics, though, and tend to neglect their personal lives or relationships when they’re deep into a project.

Interestingly, most Roosters have an internal ‘clock’ which reflects their value for discipline and order. They can prioritise tasks and meet deadlines better than most, and have a punctual streak. This isn’t to say all Roosters are always on time (far from it, we’re human after all!) But rather, Roosters respect the ‘framework’ of time and punctuality – lateness or falling behind makes them unsettled or even distressed, whether it’s them or others. Think about it this way – in the natural world, the rooster crows at dawn, regardless of the actual time of sunrise. If the sun is rising? The rooster crows. It’s this relationship to time and constancy those born as Roosters respond to.

They’re a complex sign, full of contradictions. On one hand, they make wonderful leaders and mentors. On the other, they’re aloof and solitary. And even then, they may seem aloof and solitary, but on the inside they’re very sensitive and want company. They like to be in command, but not always. They like to work hard, but only if they’re in the mood for it. They enjoy new things, but also prefer some things to stay unchanged. They’re a hard nut to crack!

But when you do crack the Rooster code? You have someone who’s bright, sincere, loving, thoughtful, protective, endlessly stylish, fun, and brimming with brilliant advice.

Go shake those tail-feathers!

Are you a Rooster?

Years of the Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

Tap into: aesthetic and style, being articulate, attention to detail, observance, self-confidence, honesty, sharp humour, responsiveness, not leaving anyone behind, advice and guidance, eloquence, persuasiveness

Watch out for: erratic decisions or behaviour, aggression, lack of tact, stubbornness, over-committing, not walking the talk, impulsiveness, being gullible, moodiness, not listening to advice from others, being argumentative for the sake of it

Famous Roosters: Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Clementine Ford, Dolly Parton, Joan Rivers, Yoko Ono, Britney Spears, Ellen DeGeneres, Kate Middleton, Serena Williams, Debbie Harry, Matthew McConaughey, Jay-Z, Neil Young

Polly is a practicing witch who primarily works with Persephone, Brigid and the Cailleach. She's the High Priestess expert on seasonal Australian practice and archetypal symbolism, and is a teacher at Witch School.