Years of the Ox 1949 · 1961 · 1973 · 1985 · 1997 · 2009 · 2021

The Year of the Ox comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2033, the Year of the Water Ox, which begins on 31 Jan 2033.

Every 12 years
Next: 2033
Sign: 2nd of 12

Year of the Ox chart

The table shows every Year of the Ox from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

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.

When is the next Year of the Ox?

The next Year of the Ox is 2033, the Year of the Water Ox. It runs from 31 Jan 2033 to 18 Feb 2034. After that the Ox returns in 2045.

What each element means for the Ox

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Ox’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Ox year comes round, everyone born under the Ox is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Ox guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Ox questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Ox?

The Years of the Ox are 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 and 2033. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Ox?

The next Year of the Ox is 2033, the Year of the Water Ox. It runs from 31 Jan 2033 to 18 Feb 2034.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.