The last year of the Ox was 2021, and the next year of the Ox will be 2033. For this purpose, let us recall the other years of the Ox 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033.
The Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese zodiac. The 12 animals of the zodiac are, in order: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. The year of the Ox returns every 12 years.
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Year of the Ox Meaning
The Year of the Ox, anchored in the rich tapestry of Chinese astrology, carries deep symbolism and profound meaning. The Ox, the second symbol in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac animals, is renowned for its traits of diligence, dependability, and determination.
Symbolically, the Ox is seen as a hard worker, quiet yet with a powerful presence, and a strong belief in methodical progress. In the year of this steadfast creature, the atmosphere is often characterized by industriousness and persistence. It’s a time to buckle down, focus, and put in the work required to achieve long-term goals.
Those born in the Year of the Ox are said to embody these characteristics – they are reliable, trustworthy, and methodical, with a strong sense of responsibility and practicality. They are often seen as pillars of society because of their stabilizing and sensible nature. Their grounded approach to life often leads to success, as they take one step at a time and are not easily deterred by obstacles.
Ox Chinese Zodiac Personality
The Ox symbolizes success achieved through hard work and effort. Individuals born in the year of the Ox are reliable, quiet, and orderly. They are conscientious and tireless workers. Although they are traditionalists, they are fair and open to hearing different opinions. However, changing their views can be challenging due to their stubbornness, and at times, they can be prejudiced.
Due to the dependable and steady nature of those born in the year of the Ox, they earn the trust of authoritative figures and leaders. Wherever there is responsibility, there they are. However, they need to be careful not to let success cloud their judgement.
Their unyielding character and logical mind are masked by a simple but neat appearance; their intelligence and dexterity are hidden by silence and restraint. Despite being generally introverted, their powerful nature turns them into a dignified, eloquent speaker when opportunity arises. In moments of chaos, their fearless demeanor, immunity to intimidation, and innate self-confidence help restore order.
Those born in the year of the Ox are methodical. They stick to well-established patterns, respect traditional concepts, and always act precisely as expected, making their actions predictable. Some may criticize them unfairly for a lack of imagination. Yet, the meticulous Ox knows that only by doing things step by step can they remain undefeated.
Their mind is not cluttered. You will never find them relying on luck or muddling through. While individuals of other zodiac signs may rely on wisdom and others’ guidance to get things done, those of the Ox sign depend entirely on their tenacious will and dedication. They value their word—once given, it’s hard to retract. Worldly prejudices are irrelevant to them. They immerse themselves fully in their work and detest giving up halfway.
They use their naive thoughts to understand the secrets in others’ hearts. They struggle to fully comprehend others’ emotions and rarely resort to seductive tactics to gain love. Their life is seldom filled with romantic poetry or serenades under the moonlight, and even their gifts usually consist of sturdy and durable items.
Due to their traditionalist nature, the courtship process between Ox men and women is bound to be long. Their relationship takes a significant amount of time to develop to a stage where it can be public, where they can express their genuine feelings for one another. An Ox man might be an extremely orderly and generous gentleman, but when he proposes to his beautiful girlfriend, he can become clumsy and tongue-tied.
However, if you can marry him and trust him completely, he will never let you down. He will faithfully accompany you throughout your life, relieving you of worries about paying rent and settling bills. Although he may not lavish you with jewels or luxurious furs, he will strive to arrange a very comfortable life where you never need to lift a finger.
If you are fortunate enough to marry an Ox lady, you will definitely find a serious-minded girl. She will do household chores just like a mother, never forgetting to fold the newspaper on your breakfast table neatly, cooking delicious meals, even her “good morning” kiss seems like a duty. But if there are times you get irritated by her ways, please consider these factors.
She is neat and punctual. Your life after marriage will never lack clean shirts, you will not wear socks with holes, nor eat burnt food. She will be an ideal wife. Your expenditure book will always be balanced, and the joint account will never be overdrawn. You should enjoy life with her, for she does more than what is expected of her.
Besides these excellent qualities, the dissatisfaction of those born in the Year of the Ox accumulates slowly. They have a good memory, are shrewd, and if you hurt them, they will remember every detail. In the face of adversity, those born in the Year of the Tiger, Rooster or Rat may complain vehemently, while those born in the Year of the Sheep and Rabbit become depressed due to pent-up frustrations. Contrarily, the Ox person will try to alleviate hardship and tension by working hard. Failure in love could cause them to bury themselves in work forever, using a solitary life to reject any potential upcoming “dangers”.
Those born in the Year of the Ox dislike being in debt. The money they repay will be precise to the last decimal point, and they expect the same from you. If they owe you something and haven’t clearly expressed gratitude, they would never forgive themselves. You would not hear many hollow words of thanks from them. They feel uncomfortable with beautiful phrases and excessive flattery, considering them degrading to their dignity. They are people of their words, which characterises Ox.
People born in the Year of the Ox have remarkable stamina. However, when they lose their temper, it can lead to unnerving consequences and should be taken seriously. At such times, they can lose their rationality, behaving like a raging bull, attacking anyone in their path. The only resolution is to steer clear of them and let them cool down. In short, they would not stir up trouble unless they truly feel intolerable.
At home, their word is law. They know how to give orders and ensure compliance. They expect others to strictly follow their instructions and hold a materialistic viewpoint towards life. Despite their deep love and pride for their family, they set high standards for their family members and measure their love based on the scale of success. They might not be easily moved by emotions, but they are willing to make significant sacrifices for the happiness of their family and stand firm on key issues.
Oxen born during the day are more active and combative than those born during the quiet night. Oxen born in winter lead harder and poorer lives compared to those born in summer.
Individuals born under this zodiac sign are grounded and rarely led by emotions. If you wish to win a lawsuit, rely on rationality and wisdom. Should you seek their opinion, they always favor reliable and precise plans, rarely swayed by mere emotions.
They have good health and rarely fall ill. People born in the Year of the Ox are self-confident and uncompromising. They scorn others’ weaknesses. If they cultivate more humor and enthusiasm, they will lead happier lives.
People born in the year of the Ox possess innate leadership skills. They impose discipline on others which can sometimes be overly stern. It’s quite likely that they are individuals who attain success through personal struggle. They believe that everyone should fulfill their duties and responsibilities without creating obstacles in others’ work.
Their downsides are being rigid, nitpicky, and unapproachable. They are not tactful and often seem indifferent to the feelings of others, often displaying a soldier-like demeanor. This makes them unsuitable for roles in public relations, diplomacy, and precision work. However, their honesty, unpretentiousness, and firm principles garner respect and admiration from others. They are excellent at implementing system reforms and having their subordinates show loyalty, as there is nothing they can’t do.
As mentioned before, Ox-born people dislike shortcuts. They are quiet, possess strong moral values and dignity, and never like achieving their goals by unjust means. They are self-reliant and don’t like others’ help to the point where you have to beg them to accept your assistance. Ox-born people prefer to function within their own systems. They are cautious yet sincere in their perseverance to see things through to the end. Their resolute character traits are passed on to their descendants, regardless of their zodiac signs.
As a family head, they can be quite arrogant and authoritarian, setting rules that do not allow opposition. They link family life, work, and national interests together, always favoring long-term, stable investments. Due to their serious nature, they are not gamblers. Risky ventures trouble them as they perceive them as threats to their safety.
The successes that Ox-born people enjoy are a result of their own efforts. In short, the strong and disciplined Ox doesn’t like to live recklessly. This unyielding Ox will emerge victorious through their own efforts.
Ox Years and Elements
People born during the years 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 should normally belong to the Chinese zodiac sign Ox. Nevertheless, the year of the Chinese zodiac sign begins, as a rule, at the time of the Chinese New Year, namely, between the end of January and mid-February. Therefore, if you were born in January or February of one of the years mentioned above, you could just as well be the sign of the Ox or the Rat.
Keep in mind that each Year of the Ox is associated with one of the five Chinese elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Each Element further influences the personality traits and destiny of those born in a particular Ox year, adding another layer of depth to the understanding of the Ox character.
For instance, a Metal Ox (born in 1961 or 2021) is known to be steadfast, reliable, and determined, but with a more rigid perspective on life. They are the ones you can count on to stick to the rules and follow through with plans.
On the other hand, a Water Ox (born in 1973 or 2033) is more flexible, able to adapt to situations with an ease that may surprise others. They are generally peaceful, patient, and are good at dealing with people, often becoming the mediators in conflicts.
The Wood Ox (born in 1925 or 1985) is known for being both reliable and adaptable, with a strong sense of responsibility. Wood Oxen are often involved in social issues and strive to make a difference in society.
The Fire Ox (born in 1937 or 1997) is more active and sociable, with a dynamic and passionate character. They tend to be leaders, often taking charge of situations with their confident and assertive personalities.
Finally, the Earth Ox (born in 1949 or 2009) is patient, detailed, and methodical. They excel at planning and executing projects and often have a good sense of business.
You can find out whether you are an ox and its element from the table below.
| Year of the Ox | Birth Date | Element of Ox |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | from February 11, 1937 to January 31, 1938 | Fire Ox |
| 1949 | from January 29, 1949 to February 16, 1950 | Earth Ox |
| 1961 | from February 15, 1961 to February 4, 1962 | Metal Ox |
| 1973 | from February 3, 1973 to January 22, 1974 | Water Ox |
| 1985 | from February 19, 1985 to February 8, 1986 | Wood Ox |
| 1997 | from February 7, 1997 to January 27, 1998 | Fire Ox |
| 2009 | from January 26, 2009 to February 13, 2010 | Earth Ox |
| 2021 | from February 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022 | Metal Ox |
Famous “Oxen”
- Vincent Van Gogh: born March 30, 1853, Water Ox
- Walt Disney: born December 5, 1901, Metal Ox
- Margaret Thatcher: born October 13, 1925, Wood Ox
- Barack Obama: born August 4, 1961, Metal Ox
Love compatibility: Is she/he compatible with you?
Each animal has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility among Chinese zodiac animals mainly takes into account the general characteristics of each animal. Those whose characteristics match well can have good love compatibility.
Below you will find the Ox’s compatibility with other animals. Find out if the Ox is compatible with your sign or not.
- Best compatibility: Rat, Monkey or Rooster
- Worst Compatibility: Tiger, Dragon, Horse or Goat
Lucky things for people born in a year of the Ox
Things that bring luck to Oxen:
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, and numbers containing 1 and 4 (like 14 and 41)
- Lucky days: the 13th and 27th day of each month of the Chinese lunar calendar
- Lucky colors: white, yellow and green
- Lucky flowers: tulip, bindweed and peach blossom
- Luck Directions: North and South
- Lucky month: the 7th and 9th months of the Chinese lunar calendar
Things Oxen should avoid:
- Unlucky Colors: Blue
- Unlucky numbers: 5 and 6
- Bad Luck Directions: Southwest
- Unlucky month: the 4th and 11th months of the Chinese lunar calendar