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Updated 2026-06-25

The Metal Rooster Year

What it means to be born in a Metal Rooster year in the Tibetan-Mongolian (zurkhai) tradition — the Rooster's nature shaped by the element of Metal. tradition

Metal Rooster years: 1921, 1981, 2041. The next Metal Rooster year is 2041.

The Rooster

Observant, hardworking, confident and meticulous. The Rooster is one of the twelve animal signs (jil) that, paired with the five elements, make up the 60-year cycle.

The element of Metal

Metal governs discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve; its season is autumn and its direction is the west. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Metal Rooster: the blend

A Rooster born in a Metal Rooster year carries the Rooster's nature — observant, hardworking, confident and meticulous — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Years of the Metal Rooster

1921turns 105 in 2026
1981turns 45 in 2026
2041turns -15 in 2026 · current/next

Frequently asked

What years are Metal Rooster years?
The Metal Rooster pairing falls on 1921, 1981, 2041 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Metal Rooster year like?
A Rooster born in a Metal Rooster year carries the Rooster's nature — observant, hardworking, confident and meticulous — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.
How does the Tibetan element–animal cycle work?
Tibetan astrology overlays a 12-year cycle of animals with a 5-element cycle (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element governs two consecutive years, so 12 animals × 5 elements form a 60-year cycle before the same animal+element pairing repeats. Every year therefore carries both an animal and an element — 2026 is the Fire Horse. The system blends indigenous Bon astrology, Chinese-derived element/animal astrology, and Indian Kalachakra star astrology.

The Rooster in the other elements

Wood Rooster Fire Rooster Earth Rooster Water Rooster

More on the Rooster sign → · What is zurkhai? →

Animal/element traits and yearly outlooks are presented as traditional belief, not fact, and vary between astrologers and lineages.