Metal Rooster Chinese Zodiac
金鸡 jīn jī
A Metal Rooster (also called the Chicken) was born in a Rooster year ending in 0 or 1: 1921, 1981 and 2041. Metal is the Rooster's own element, so the Metal Rooster is the Rooster doubled. It is described as precise to a fault, principled, hard-working and quick to judge.
- Metal
- Rooster
- Yin
Metal Rooster at a Glance
- Years
- 1921, 1981 and 2041
- Year element
- Metal 金 (years ending in 0 or 1)
- Rooster's own element
- Metal
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year names
- 辛酉
- Next Metal Rooster year
- 2041
The Metal Rooster, Precise to a Fault
Metal is also the Rooster’s own element, so tradition sees the Metal Rooster as the Rooster at its most exacting: principled, tireless and quick to spot a mistake.
The 1981 Metal Roosters, the first Millennial year, turn 45 in 2026. The next Metal Rooster year is 2041.
Which Years Are Metal Rooster Years?
The most recent Metal Rooster year began on Feb 5, 1981 and ended on Jan 24, 1982; the next comes in 2041. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Feb 8, 1921 | Jan 27, 1922 | 辛酉 | 石榴木 | 104 or 105 |
| 1981 Chinese zodiac | Feb 5, 1981 | Jan 24, 1982 | 辛酉 | 石榴木 | 44 or 45 |
| 2041 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Metal Rooster Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Metal Rooster
- Precise
- Principled
- Hard-working
Challenges of the Metal Rooster
- Perfectionist
- Critical
- Rigid
Metal Rooster in Love and at Work
In Love
Loyal and serious, and a stickler for standards.
At Work
Suited to accounting, law, editing, medicine and management.
The Five Kinds of Rooster
The Rooster's own element is always Metal; the birth year adds the second. For the Metal Rooster, the year element is the Rooster's own Metal, so it is doubled.
| Type | Years | With the Rooster's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rooster Chinese zodiac | 1945, 2005, 2065 | Metal restrains Wood |
| Fire Rooster Chinese zodiac | 1957, 2017, 2077 | Fire restrains Metal |
| Earth Rooster Chinese zodiac | 1909, 1969, 2029, 2089 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Metal Rooster | 1921, 1981, 2041 | Doubled |
| Water Rooster Chinese zodiac | 1933, 1993, 2053 | Metal feeds Water |
Metal Rooster Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Ox, Snake and Dragon for the Rooster, and the Rabbit is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Other Metal Signs
All twelve animals have a Metal year. Each is a different mix.
- Metal Rat Chinese zodiac1960, 2020
- Metal Ox Chinese zodiac1961, 2021
- Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac1950, 2010
- Metal Rabbit Chinese zodiac1951, 2011
- Metal Dragon Chinese zodiac1940, 2000
- Metal Snake Chinese zodiac1941, 2001
- Metal Horse Chinese zodiac1930, 1990
- Metal Goat Chinese zodiac1931, 1991
- Metal Monkey Chinese zodiac1920, 1980
- Metal Dog Chinese zodiac1970, 2030
- Metal Pig Chinese zodiac1971, 2031
Metal Rooster Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Metal Rooster?
A Metal Rooster is someone born in a Rooster year that ends in 0 or 1. Metal Rooster years include 1921, 1981 and 2041. Tradition describes the Metal Rooster as precise, principled and hard-working.
What years are Metal Rooster years?
1921, 1981 and 2041. The 1981 year ran from Feb 5, 1981 to Jan 24, 1982.
Is the Rooster really a Metal sign?
The Rooster's own element is Metal, so Metal Roosters are the Rooster doubled: the sign's nature and the year's element agree.
How old is a Metal Rooster?
The most recent Metal Rooster years are 1921 and 1981. In 2026 someone born in 1981 turns 45.
When is the next Metal Rooster year?
2041. Rooster years return every 12 years and each element every 60.