Currently, the most relevant years of the Ox include 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, and 1937. An Ox year occurs every 12 years. The zodiac sign Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac.
As the strongest animal of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, known as "the good helper" in Chinese farming, the Ox is a symbol of diligence, strength, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and wealth.
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How did the Ox become the second sign in Chinese zodiac? The video below will tell you the story.
Was I Born in a Year of the Ox?
Recent years of the Ox include 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949 and 1937. If you were born in the year of an Ox, your Chinese zodiac sign is probably the Ox!
The Chinese zodiac year is usually said to start from Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid-February. Therefore, if you were born in January or February in one of the above years, you might be an Ox, or possibly a Rat. Additionally, if you were born in January/February in one of the years immediately following those above (2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, etc.), then you may be an Ox or a Tiger.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator below to be sure or see the table below.
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold (Metal), and Water. Each Rat-element year corresponds with an element and comes once in a 60-year cycle. For example, 2021 is a year of the Metal Ox. The last Metal Ox year was 1961.
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Year of the Ox Dates
| Ox Year | Date | Element |
|---|---|---|
| 2033 | January 31, 2033 – February 18, 2034 | Water Ox |
| 2021 | February 12, 2021 – January 31, 2022 | Metal Ox |
| 2009 | January 26, 2009 – February 13, 2010 | Earth Ox |
| 1997 | February 7, 1997 – January 27, 1998 | Fire Ox |
| 1985 | February 19, 1985 – February 8, 1986 | Wood Ox |
| 1973 | February 3, 1973 – January 22, 1974 | Water Ox |
| 1961 | February 15, 1961 – February 4, 1962 | Metal Ox |
| 1949 | January 29, 1949 – February 16, 1950 | Earth Ox |
| 1937 | February 11, 1937 – January 31, 1938 | Fire Ox |
| 1925 | January 24, 1925 – February 12, 1926 | Wood Ox |
The Ox's Personality: Diligent, Dependable...
Having an honest nature, the Ox is known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination. These reflect traditional conservative characteristics.
Female Oxes are traditional, faithful wives, who attach great importance to their children's education. They would achieve their career success easily with their strong personality.
Male Oxes are strongly patriotic. They have strong ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work.
Having great patience and a desire to make progress, Oxes can achieve their goals by consistent effort. They are not much influenced by others or the environment, but persist in doing things according to their ideas and capabilities.
Before taking any action, Oxes will have a definite plan with detailed steps, to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength. As a result, people of the Ox zodiac sign often enjoy great success.
Oxes are usually not good at communicating with others, and even think it is not worthwhile to exchange ideas with others. They are sometimes stubborn and stick to their own ways.
Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, and Water Ox
It is theorized that a person's characteristics are decided by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and zodiac element. So, there are five types of Ox, each with different characteristics.
| Element | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Wood Ox (1925, 1985) | Restless, decisive, straightforward, and always ready to defend the weak and helpless |
| Fire Ox (1937, 1997) | Short-sighted, selfish, narrow-minded, impersonal, but practical |
| Earth Ox (1949, 2009) | Honest and prudentive, with a strong sense of responsibility |
| Metal Ox (1961, 2021) | Hardworking, active, always busy, and popular among friends |
| Water Ox (1913, 1973) | Hardworking, ambitious, tenacious, and able to endure hardship, with strong sense of justice and keen observational abilities |
See Chinese Zodiac Oxes of 5 Elements: Characters and Destinies.
What're the Lucky Things for People Born in a Year of Ox
Lucky things for Oxes:
- Lucky numbers: 1, 4, and numbers containing them (like 14 and 41)
- Lucky colors: white, yellow, green
- Lucky flowers: tulip, peach blossom
- Lucky directions: north, south
Unlucky things for Oxes:
- Unlucky numbers: 5 and 6, and numbers containing them (like 56 and 65)
- Unlucky color: blue
- Unlucky direction: southwest
What Are 2023 Predictions for People Born in the Year of the Ox?
2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Among the 12 twelve zodiac signs, the Ox is 2nd and the Rabbit is 4th, and the 2nd and 4th positions help each other, indicating that Ox people will have good luck in this year. However, you will still need to work hard and seize every opportunity to make your year more successful.
In 2023, the wealth projection for you Ox people fluctuates greatly. Because the overall development of your business is very prosperous, earnings will naturally come rolling in.
This year, single Ox people, you are likely to meet your destined partner.
Ox people who already have a partner, you and your partner are predicted to get along very well.
Read the Ox monthly horoscope for 2023.
The Ox's Love Compatibility
Each animal sign has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility within the Chinese zodiac animals mostly takes the general characteristics of each animal into account. Those whose characteristics match well can have good love compatibility.
Zodiac signs most compatible with the Ox: Rat, Snake, and Rooster
Zodiac signs least compatible with the Ox: Tiger, Horse, Goat, or Monkey
More about Chinese zodiac compatibility for 12 animal signs
Online Love Compatibility Test
Good Health for Oxes
Oxes are strong and robust; they can enjoy a fairly healthy and long life, which is fulfilled with little illness.
Because of their hard work with a stubborn personality, they often spend too much time in their work, rarely allowing themselves enough time to relax, and tend to forget meals, which make them have intestinal problems. So enough rest and a regular diet are needed for Oxes to work efficiently.
With a stubborn temperament, they find it easy to bear stress and tension, and they are reluctant to reveal themselves to others. Proper relaxation and regular short trips will benefit the Ox.
The Best Careers for Oxes
As the symbol of hard work, Ox people always work hard at everything and stick to finishing it. Possessing a serious and responsible attitude toward work, they can come up with different approaches to their task.
With a keen eye for details and an admirable work ethic, they are competent in such careers as agriculture, manufacturing, pharmacy, mechanics, engineering, draftsmanship, artistry, politics, real estate, interior design, painting, carpentry, or quarry work.
How to Build Relationships with "Ox People"
Ox people are not good at communicating with others, so they have less social intercourse. They prefer to stay alone and enjoy solitude instead of participating in group activities. However, they treat friends sincerely and place high value on friendship.
For love relationships, Oxen tend to keep long-term relationship with their lovers. Frequent changes of lover make them uncomfortable. Ladies of the Ox zodiac sign lack femininity. If they can realize their inadequacies, and change their cautious attitude of indifference to affection and enthusiasm, they will have love relationships to their hearts' desire.
Famous Ox Year People
- Barack Obama: born on August 4, 1961, a Metal Ox
- Vincent Van Gogh: born on March 30, 1853, a Water Ox
- Walt Disney: born on December 5, 1901, a Gold Ox
- Margaret Thatcher: born on October 13, 1925, a Wood Ox
