Skip to main content

Cock-a-doodle-doo, 2017 Is Year of the Rooster

Chinese New Year lantern
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Whether you already know all there is to know about Chinese astrology, or it’s more of a distant memory of something you read on a placemat, here’s a rundown of what’s in the stars for 2017: year of the rooster.

Chinese architecture
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Let’s start with the basics. The Chinese zodiac, like the Greek zodiac, is super about the number 12. But instead of having a corresponding animal for each of the 12 months, the Chinese zodiac runs on a cycle of 12 years — each year with its own animal.

Recommended Videos

When the cycle starts over, the animals are assigned different elements, too. And starting on Chinese New Year, which is January 28 this year, we’ll be hanging out with the rooster. The fire rooster, no less. Sounds invigorating?

Rooster eye extreme close-up
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’re leaving behind the year of the monkey, the trickster animal. Sounds like 2016 to us. The rooster year, if you’re one to entertain a bit of mysticality, goes hand in hand with some core rooster traits. It symbolizes getting energized at the asscrack of dawn, ready to face anything in your way like a boss. This year’s supposed to be a great time to get ahead at work, and not by schmoozing your way to the top. We’re talking getting down to the nitty-gritty and working hard for authentic results.

Along with being a hard-working sign, the rooster is also into looking good — strutting, tailfeathers, the works. If you’ve been wearing the same tired wardrobe for a while or have started to feel weird about your man bun, this is a great year to reinvent yourself through a totally new approach to fashion.

So get out there and get down to business. Take some pride in looking good doing it. And pro tip from Muhammed Ali: “A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the dark and he’ll never crow. I have seen the light and I’m crowing.”

Related Reading: New Year, New Hobby: Box Brew Kits

Megan Freshley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Megan Freshley is a freelance copywriter and poet living in Portland, OR. She's studied at Antioch College and the Esalen…
Will this zippy religious thriller be a major player at this year’s Oscars?
Conclave is set in the aftermath of a pope's death, and follows the election of the new pope
Ralph Fiennes in Conclave.

One of the buzziest movies of the fall movie season is about to make its debut in theaters. Conclave, which stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, a man charged with running the process that will lead to the election of a new pope following the old pope's death. Directed by Edward Berger, who made All Quiet on the Western Front in 2022, the movie is pitched as a political thriller, and its most recent trailer suggests that it's going to live up to that billing.

As the trailer suggests, what begins as a relatively normal election eventually devolves into an overtly political affair as revelations about the previous pope are uncovered, and multiple cardinals grapple for power. Lawrence must dig into the truth of what the previous pope was up to to understand which of the candidates to succeed him are most directly implicated. The film is based on a 2016 novel of the same name, and stars Fiennes alongside Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.

Read more
Apple iPad 9th Gen for just $199—a Prime Big Deal Days score too good to miss
apple ipad 9th generation prime big deal days

If you’ve been waiting to score a new Apple iPad, there’s no better time than now. For a very limited time during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, the is slashed to just $199—that’s 40% off its usual $329 price tag. So get out of my way!
For anyone who’s been eyeing an iPad for work, school, or leisure, this deal is a no-brainer. But hurry, because at this price, it’s bound to fly off the virtual shelves, and Prime Big Deal Days technically ended yesterday.

At 40% off, even though I already have an iPad, I am buying a backup
The packs a punch with features that make it an all-around game changer. Our sister site, Digital Trends, gave it a glowing review, as a matter of fact! It has the A13 Bionic chip, which delivers fast performance whether you’re multitasking, streaming, or gaming. With its 10.2-inch Retina display, the iPad showcases vibrant colors and sharp details that bring movies, photos, and games to life. And for those virtual meetings or family calls, the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, equipped with Center Stage, keeps you in focus and looking your best.
A solid 64GB of storage, all-day battery life, and the versatility of iPadOS means this handy gadget adapts seamlessly to your life. If you’re change averse, this tech transition will feel easy!

Read more
The 12 best action movies of all time
From John Wick to Mad Max, these are some of the most thrilling action films ever made
Mad Max Fury Road

If you’re in need of a knock-your-socks-off action flick, look no further. Spanning almost 30 years, these action films are the kind you can watch over and over again and not get tired of. Sometimes you want to watch a movie to just shut your brain off for two hours -- but these are not those movies. While they all contain some of the greatest fighting scenes, car chases, one-liners, and characters, these movies are also there to make you think. This is why they are the best action movies.
Hopefully, you can watch these movies in a home theater or with some awesome headphones. If not, no worries --  your socks will still be knocked off by the end of the movie. Sit back, relax, and get ready for some nonstop action.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Read more