Year of the Ox
牛 · 丑 (chǒu)
Ox Personality
The Ox is the second sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. People born in the Year of the Ox are recognized for their work ethic and reliability. They approach tasks methodically and rarely give up once committed. Their patience and determination make them dependable partners in both work and personal life, though they can be set in their ways when faced with unexpected changes.
Traits & Characteristics
Key Traits
- Diligent
- Dependable
- Strong
- Determined
- Patient
Strengths
- Honest
- Hardworking
- Persistent
- Methodical
Weaknesses
- Stubborn
- Resistant to change
- Can be inflexible
Lucky Attributes
Lucky Numbers
1, 4
Lucky Colors
White, Yellow, Green
Lucky Directions
North, South
Compatibility
The Ox in 2026 & 2027
Fire strengthens Earth — a supportive year. The year's element feeds back into yours, providing a tailwind for personal development and recovering from previous setbacks.
Fire strengthens Earth — a supportive year. The year's element feeds back into yours, providing a tailwind for personal development and recovering from previous setbacks.
Years of the Ox
The Ox recurs every 12 years. Note that the Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar — if you were born in January or February, check whether your birth date fell before or after Chinese New Year that year.
| Year | Element | Yin/Yang | Full Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Fire | Yin | Yin Fire Ox |
| 1949 | Earth | Yin | Yin Earth Ox |
| 1961 | Metal | Yin | Yin Metal Ox |
| 1973 | Water | Yin | Yin Water Ox |
| 1985 | Wood | Yin | Yin Wood Ox |
| 1997 | Fire | Yin | Yin Fire Ox |
| 2009 | Earth | Yin | Yin Earth Ox |
| 2021 | Metal | Yin | Yin Metal Ox |
| 2033 | Water | Yin | Yin Water Ox |
The Earth Element
The Ox's fixed element is Earth, derived from its Earthly Branch (丑). This element colors the Ox's core characteristics regardless of birth year.
In the five-element cycle: Earth generates Metal, controls Water, and is strengthened by Fire. The birth year's element (from the Heavenly Stems) adds a second layer — which is why a Wood Ox and a Metal Ox can have quite different tendencies despite sharing the same animal sign.
Other Zodiac Animals
Related Topics
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This is a general reading based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Your personalized reading based on your birth chart may differ.