Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Ox
Chou (丑), the 2nd of the 12 Earthly Branches.
Quick Answer
People born in the Year of the Ox include those born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 and 2033, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Ox is the Year of the Water Ox, from January 31, 2033 to February 18, 2034. The Ox is steady, patient, dependable and hardworking.
Years of the Ox
Each year starts at Lunar New Year. If your birthday falls before the start date, you belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Sexagenary Name | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 Wood Ox | Yi Chou (乙丑) | ||
| 1937 Fire Ox | Ding Chou (丁丑) | ||
| 1949 Earth Ox | Ji Chou (己丑) | ||
| 1961 Metal Ox | Xin Chou (辛丑) | ||
| 1973 Water Ox | Gui Chou (癸丑) | ||
| 1985 Wood Ox | Yi Chou (乙丑) | ||
| 1997 Fire Ox | Ding Chou (丁丑) | ||
| 2009 Earth Ox | Ji Chou (己丑) | ||
| 2021 Metal Ox | Xin Chou (辛丑) | ||
| 2033 Water Ox | Gui Chou (癸丑) | ||
| 2045 Wood Ox | Yi Chou (乙丑) |
Every Ox year from 1900 to 2100 is in the full table.
Ox Personality
The Ox is the zodiac's builder. It is associated with endurance, honesty and the patience to finish what others abandon. It earns trust slowly and keeps it, though it can become stubborn and slow to forgive.
Strengths: Reliability, persistence, calm, loyalty. Challenges: Stubbornness, rigidity, holding grudges.
The year element adds its own color: a Fire Ox is more outgoing and a Water Ox more reflective. Find your element by birth year in the table above.
The Ox in the Year of the Fire Horse
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Ox harms Tai Sui, so tradition counts it among the signs in conflict with Tai Sui this year.
Ox Compatibility
The Ox's best matches are the Rat, Snake and Rooster (Six Harmonies with the Rat, the Metal trine with the Snake and Rooster). Its classical clash is with the Goat.
| Sign | Relationship | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Six Harmonies (Liu He) | The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive. |
| Snake | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Rooster | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Tiger | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rabbit | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Monkey | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Pig | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Dragon | Break (Liu Po) | Minor friction that can disrupt plans. |
| Horse | Harm (Liu Hai) | Subtle misunderstandings that need patience. |
| Dog | Punishment (Xing) | A pairing said to test both people. Shown as Penalty in the chart. |
| Goat | Clash (Liu Chong) | Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference. |
Are You a Ox?
Check a birthday against the exact Lunar New Year date.
The Other Animals
Questions About the Ox
What Years Are the Year of the Ox?
People born in the Year of the Ox include those born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 and 2033, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Ox is the Year of the Water Ox, from January 31, 2033 to February 18, 2034. The Ox is steady, patient, dependable and hardworking.
What Is the Ox Personality in the Chinese Zodiac?
The Ox is the zodiac's builder. It is associated with endurance, honesty and the patience to finish what others abandon. It earns trust slowly and keeps it, though it can become stubborn and slow to forgive. Strengths: Reliability, persistence, calm, loyalty. Challenges: Stubbornness, rigidity, holding grudges.
Who Is the Ox Most Compatible With?
The Ox's best matches are the Rat, Snake and Rooster (Six Harmonies with the Rat, the Metal trine with the Snake and Rooster). Its classical clash is with the Goat.
Is the Ox in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Ox harms Tai Sui, so tradition counts it among the signs in conflict with Tai Sui this year.
I Was Born in January or February. Am I a Ox?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
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