General Characteristics of a Rooster

Roosters – you love ‘em or you hate ‘em. One of the most colourful characters of the Chinese zodiac, Roosters will always want to be the life of the party… and whether you like it or not, they will find their way to the heart of every occasion. They are fun and frank – but it is precisely these great qualities that can also make them many enemies as people see them as obnoxious and arrogant.

The Rooster knows how smart and fast he is; he also knows he’s attractive and likes to preen his feathers. Giving him the right kind of support will make him one of your most valuable friends. But if you get on his wrong side, this energetic, strong personality will peck you to death and make sure he gets the last word in. The Rooster is not one to lose any battle and will make sure you know just how capable he is – he has little patience for anything below the standards he has set, so be prepared to work extra hard to keep up with him.

Strengths

Like many a hardy cockerel, Roosters are strong characters who will always have a lot to crow about. They are outspoken, amusing, entertaining, well-liked and often the centre of attention.

They are intelligent and astute in their judgment of other people – sometimes to a point of being over critical and even offensive. They are also very capable and have a great deal of energy, making them hard and responsible workers with tremendous stamina in completing any assignment they have put their minds to. You can also put your trust in the Rooster. He is a loyal and honest character who you can depend on to support you, fulfill his promises and always have your back.

Roosters are also known for being great perfectionists, with grand ideals and high expectations of both themselves and others. This means that you can always rest assured he’ll get the job done… ahead of time and more than what you had asked for. Not one to take defeat easily, the Rooster is always game for a challenge and once committed, will see it through until the end.

Weaknesses

The Rooster’s high ideals and perfectionist attitudes can also be his most unlikeable quality. This can often make him arrogant and bossy, and he is likely to offend many by his insensitive and highly critical words. The Rooster must always have the last word as he believes that his way is the only correct and best way, and he will have no qualms about stepping on people’s toes to get his point across.

Because the Rooster is almost very capable and sets high expectations, he becomes easily impatient if others cannot match up to his ideals. This reinforces his cockiness; his stamina then helps him fight long, hard debates just to make sure his argument is heard and his disgruntled displeasure known. People will easily lose respect for the Rooster who will see his frankness as rude, haughty and self-centred.

Career and Working Life

The efficiency and fastidiousness of the Rooster makes him a valuable asset to any working team. Though he can be domineering and may have the tendency to bulldoze his way through, he has the unusual ability to draw some benefit from every situation. As someone who is not afraid of challenges, he will not have any trouble in staying ahead of his game.

Being hard workers means that Roosters will be good pitching in and getting their hands dirty with a whole team. At the same time, their drive for perfection, energy, love of the limelight and passion makes them excellent leaders that will organise people and details well.

Love and Relationships

Both male and female Roosters are generally known to be loyal and never to desert their partners. However, the playful male Rooster – who is also very charming and handsome – is more likely to stray. He’ll never abandon people he has already committed to but you will need to keep a close eye on his wandering eyes!

The female Hen remains much closer and committed to the family unit, doing all she can to ensure all is perfect and safe for them. The single thing the Roosters needs from their friends or family is the assurance that they are the centre of attention!

Finances

A Rooster is among the most gifted signs in handling finances and has very sharp business acumen. Just as any chicken can peck the hardest of grounds to find food, the Rooster is known for being able to make something successful out of every opportunity.

While he is good with finances, he is also extravagant and can be lavish in his fashion and behaviour. He may have the tendency to waste a lot of money on things that seem frivolous.

Social Life

A dressy show-off, the Rooster thrives in the limelight and loves being the centre of attention. He is amusing, entertaining and above all, attractive – male Roosters are especially good looking. People do like to be around him and the Rooster makes good friends, because he makes sure he chooses exactly the right people to surround him.

However, his flamboyance and directness can be misunderstood as the Rooster can have the tendency to step on many people’s toes and offend people without even knowing he has. Actually, in his mind, he is just being honest and sees no harm in what he’s saying. He also seldom harbours ill feelings for long and though his words may sound big and threatening, it is unlikely he will actually do anything harmful or malicious to the people around him.

Life Lessons

The Rooster needs to realise that although he is intelligent and the things he has to say are valid, his delivery is not always the most skillful. He needs to learn how to be more tactful and more sensitive to others’ feelings. He would also do well to be more patient and accommodating to people’s differing levels, aptitudes and skills – he’d actually achieve much more that way, which is what he strives for being the perfectionist he is.

He should realise that not everyone can meet his very high expectations. He must accept that not every person nor situation can be at the level he sets, and not to allow himself to get disappointed if things don’t go exactly the way he wants them to.

COMPATIBILITY

Who the Rooster will fly with

The Rooster belongs in the same harmonic trio as the Snake and Ox, so any pairings with people born under these signs or in the hour ruled by these animals will be successful. Quite an intense and intellectual group, the Rooster, Snake and Ox are all equally capable but complement each other most in their personalities. The fun-loving Rooster brings liveliness to the mysterious, serious Snake; the charm of the Snake tempers the Rooster’s frankness; and the stable, level-headed Ox keeps them both grounded.

Great things can also happen when the Rooster is paired with the Dragon – they are a match for each other’s intellectual prowess. With the Rooster’s skill and the Dragon’s power, they are an unstoppable duo. Roosters also pair well with Pigs – both are hardy characters but their friendship works because the Pig is as patient and obliging as the Rooster is offensive and pedantic.

Who the Rooster will want to peck to the ground

Of all the signs, the Rooster will find it most difficult to befriend the Rabbit, whose gentle, diplomatic nature is most at odds with the tactless loudness of the Rooster.

Roosters, as one of the louder, more aggressive signs, will also find it difficult to get along with Horses and Tigers, who are also headstrong and powerful. They need to map out their own territories very clearly and determine who’s boss if they are to work together.

It will be difficult for Roosters to work with the Rat whose penchant for nitpicking and being top dog is just as strong as the Rooster’s. Signs like the Sheep, Dog and Monkey will find it difficult to keep up with or accept the Rooster’s highly critical nature. His constant tendency to find fault and to spend hours obsessing over details will irritate the impatient monkey and bring the insecure Sheep down. The stable Dog will not understand his extravagant and offensive actions.

How to work with a Rooster

It’s important to define your boundaries clearly with a Rooster. Establish from the onset who has the upper hand – either way, once the lines are set, you can be sure of a loyal friend until the end. A Rooster does appreciate the support of his friends, to bolster what may be traces of hidden insecurities, so get on his good side by putting him in the limelight and giving him all the applause he needs.

A Rooster is very particular with how things should be done so you do need to be on your toes, especially if you’re working with one. Save yourself some heartache by clarifying exactly what needs to be done in the beginning and following it through all the way. A happy Rooster is one whose expectations are met, so if you wish to keep him happy, do your very best to stay on the ball… or just be very patient when he nags and nitpicks. It’s not only about meeting the Rooster’s expectations but putting as much energy and effort as he has – he cannot understand why you can’t do it if he can, so you must lay out all your cards, limits and abilities on the table before you commit to working with him.

5 Positive and Negative Traits

Famous Roosters

Katherine Hepburn, Goldie Hawn, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Joan Collins, Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Steve Martin, Bob Marley, Benjamin Franklin, Steffi Graf, Rachmaninov, Confucius, Groucho Marx, Amelia Earhart, Catherine the Great, Rudyard Kipling, Michelle Pfeiffer, Britney Spears, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Beyonce Knowles, Paris Hilton, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova, Natalie Portman, Verdi, Wagner

Other Lunar Animal Signs

1. I am the Rat

2. I am the Ox

3. I am the Tiger

4. I am the Rabbit

5. I am the Dragon

6. I am the Snake

7. I am the Horse

8. I am the Sheep

9. I am the Monkey

10. I am the Dog

11. I am the Pig

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