牛Chinese zodiac · 2nd sign
Year of the Ox 牛 (niú) · Steady, strong and built to last
The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac and its great worker. People born in an Ox year are valued for patience, honesty and the stamina to finish what they start.
- Yin sign
- Fixed element: Earth
- Hours: 1am–3am
- Branch: 丑 chǒu
Recent years
1997 · 2009 · 2021
Lucky numbers
1, 4
Lucky colors
Blue, yellow, green
Lucky flowers
Tulip, peach blossom
Best matches
Snake, Rooster, Rat
Challenging matches
Goat, Horse
Year of the Ox dates
The Year of the Ox comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Wood Ox is not quite the same as a Fire Ox.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 24 Jan 1925 – 12 Feb 1926 | Wood Ox | 乙丑 (yǐ chǒu) |
| 1937 | 11 Feb 1937 – 30 Jan 1938 | Fire Ox | 丁丑 (dīng chǒu) |
| 1949 | 29 Jan 1949 – 16 Feb 1950 | Earth Ox | 己丑 (jǐ chǒu) |
| 1961 | 15 Feb 1961 – 4 Feb 1962 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 (xīn chǒu) |
| 1973 | 3 Feb 1973 – 22 Jan 1974 | Water Ox | 癸丑 (guǐ chǒu) |
| 1985 | 20 Feb 1985 – 8 Feb 1986 | Wood Ox | 乙丑 (yǐ chǒu) |
| 1997 | 7 Feb 1997 – 27 Jan 1998 | Fire Ox | 丁丑 (dīng chǒu) |
| 2009 | 26 Jan 2009 – 13 Feb 2010 | Earth Ox | 己丑 (jǐ chǒu) |
| 2021 | 12 Feb 2021 – 31 Jan 2022 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 (xīn chǒu) |
| 2033 | 31 Jan 2033 – 18 Feb 2034 | Water Ox | 癸丑 (guǐ chǒu) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Ox personality
Oxen are methodical and calm. They prefer proven routes to shortcuts, keep their promises and form opinions slowly, but once an Ox has made up its mind it is very hard to move.
Strengths
- Reliable and honest
- Patient and persistent
- Calm in a crisis
- Strong sense of duty
Weaknesses
- Stubborn once decided
- Slow to accept change
- Can bottle up feelings
- May work to the point of exhaustion
The five types of Ox
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Ox’s own fixed element is Earth, and each Ox year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Ox love and compatibility
The Ox loves quietly and for the long term. Grand gestures are rare, but loyalty is absolute, and they are happiest with a partner who values stability and does not mistake reserve for indifference.
In Chinese astrology the Ox gets on best with the Snake, Rooster and Rat. The Goat is the Ox’s opposite sign, and the Horse can also be a testing match.
Ox career and wellbeing
Career and money
Oxen thrive in roles that reward consistency and expertise. They are the colleagues who keep long projects on track and are trusted with responsibility.
- Engineering and construction
- Agriculture and property
- Medicine and healthcare
- Banking and administration
Health and wellbeing
Oxen are sturdy but tend to ignore their limits. Scheduled rest, stretching and regular meals matter more than they think.
Lucky numbers: 1, 4. Lucky colors: blue, yellow, green. Lucky flowers: Tulip, peach blossom.
The Ox in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
The Ox and the Horse do not sit easily together. Expect a few misunderstandings in 2026, and take extra care with paperwork and promises.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
The Goat sits directly opposite the Ox on the zodiac wheel, so 2027 can feel unsettled. It is a year to stay flexible, avoid big gambles and look after your health.
The Ox in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Ox was leading the race until the Rat jumped from its back at the last moment, leaving the Ox in second place.
The Ox is the 2nd sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 丑 (chǒu), the hours 1am–3am and Yin energy.
Ox questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Ox?
Recent Years of the Ox are 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Ox’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Ox are traditionally dependable, patient and hard-working. Oxen are methodical and calm.
Who is the Ox most compatible with?
The Ox is most compatible with the Snake, Rooster and Rat. The most challenging matches are the Goat and Horse.
What are the Ox’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Ox’s lucky numbers are 1, 4 and its lucky colors are blue, yellow, green. Numbers traditionally avoided are 5, 6, and colors to avoid are white.
What element is the Ox?
The Ox’s fixed element is Earth. In addition, every Ox year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Ox, Fire Ox, Earth Ox, Metal Ox and Water Ox.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.
