Stellune
The Ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac’s hardest worker. Oxen are patient, reliable and quietly determined: they finish what they start and earn trust slowly but surely.
The Ox personality
Oxen build their lives one solid step at a time. They’re honest, practical and loyal, and they prefer actions to speeches. They rarely rush, and they rarely give up.
Strengths: patience, reliability, honesty, stamina.
Blind spots: stubbornness, resistance to change, and holding things in until they boil over.
Ox years
You’re a Ox if you were born in one of these years, on or after that year’s Chinese New Year:
| Year | Element | New Year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Earth Ox | 29 January 1949 |
| 1961 | Metal Ox | 15 February 1961 |
| 1973 | Water Ox | 3 February 1973 |
| 1985 | Wood Ox | 20 February 1985 |
| 1997 | Fire Ox | 7 February 1997 |
| 2009 | Earth Ox | 26 January 2009 |
| 2021 | Metal Ox | 12 February 2021 |
The next Ox year is 2033, a Water Ox, starting on 31 January 2033. Born in January or February? Check with the Chinese zodiac calculator.
The five kinds of Ox
Each Ox year also has an element, which colours the Ox’s nature. The Ox’s own fixed element is Earth.
- Wood Ox: warm and fair, the Ox most willing to work with others.
- Fire Ox: the most driven and outspoken Ox; strong-willed and passionate.
- Earth Ox: the most down-to-earth Ox, steady and very reliable.
- Metal Ox: determined and principled, with a backbone of steel.
- Water Ox: calmer and more flexible, good at listening and planning.
Ox compatibility
| Kind of match | Animals |
|---|---|
| Best friends (same trine) | Snake, Rooster |
| Secret friend | Rat |
| Opposite (clash) | Goat |
| Tricky pairing | Horse |
The Snake and Rooster share your values and pace. The Rat is your quiet, steady ally. The Goat is your opposite: lots of spark, and lots of friction. Check any pairing with the Chinese zodiac compatibility calculator.
The Ox at work and in love
Oxen shine where steady effort pays off: engineering, farming, finance, medicine, building, administration and any craft that takes years to master. In love, Oxen are faithful and protective. They show love through what they do rather than what they say, and need a partner who values loyalty over excitement.
The Ox in 2026 and 2027
The 2026 Fire Horse year can feel slightly out of step for the Ox: small misunderstandings are likely, so say clearly what you mean. The 2027 Fire Goat year, which begins on 6 February 2027, is the Ox’s clash year: expect change and a faster pace. Good for clearing out what isn’t working; less good for rushing big commitments.
Questions people ask
What years are the Ox in the Chinese zodiac?
1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 and 2033, each counted from that year’s Chinese New Year.
Who is the Ox most compatible with?
The Snake and Rooster (its trine partners) and the Rat (its secret friend).
Which animal does the Ox clash with?
The Goat, which sits opposite the Ox on the zodiac wheel. A clash means different needs and pace, not a match that can’t work.
What is the Ox's element?
Each Ox year has its own element, and the Ox’s fixed element is Earth.
Astrology here is for reflection and self-understanding. It doesn't predict events, and it isn't medical, legal or financial advice.