Year of the Ox
The Year of the Ox is 牛年 (niú nián), the 2nd sign of the twelve. The most recent Ox year began on 12 February 2021 (2021). The ox was the working animal of Chinese farming, so it stands for steady, honest hard work. In modern slang 牛 also means impressive or awesome.
牛 covers ox, bull, cow and buffalo alike; Chinese adds a word in front only when it needs to be specific.
Ox years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 February 2021 to 31 January 2022 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 xīn chǒu |
| 2009 | 26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010 | Earth Ox | 己丑 jǐ chǒu |
| 1997 | 7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998 | Fire Ox | 丁丑 dīng chǒu |
| 1985 | 20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986 | Wood Ox | 乙丑 yǐ chǒu |
| 1973 | 3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974 | Water Ox | 癸丑 guǐ chǒu |
| 1961 | 15 February 1961 to 4 February 1962 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 xīn chǒu |
Born in January or February of one of these years? You may belong to the previous animal: check the start date, or use the calculator.
The Ox in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be hardworking
- associated with patience and reliability
- said to be honest and down to earth
- sometimes described as stubborn
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属牛 | wǒ shǔ niú | I was born in the Year of the Ox | 属 + animal gives your sign |
| 牛年 | niú nián | the Year of the Ox | animal + 年 names the year |
| 牛奶 | niú nǎi | milk | cow's milk; the default word for milk |
| 你真牛 | nǐ zhēn niú | you're amazing | colloquial praise; 牛 as an adjective means impressive |
Idioms with 牛
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 对牛弹琴 | duì niú tán qín | to play the lute to a cow | To waste your words on an audience that cannot understand or appreciate them. |
| 九牛一毛 | jiǔ niú yī máo | one hair from nine oxen | A tiny, insignificant amount compared with the whole. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Snake 蛇 and Rooster 鸡. Secret friend (六合): Rat 鼠. Clash (六冲): Goat 羊. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- Year of the Rat
- Year of the Tiger
- Year of the Rabbit
- Year of the Dragon
- Year of the Snake
- Year of the Horse
- Year of the Goat
- Year of the Monkey
- Year of the Rooster
- Year of the Dog
- Year of the Pig
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to be born in the Year of the Ox?
The Ox is traditionally said to be diligent, patient and dependable, in the spirit of the animal that plowed the fields. These are folk beliefs, not a prediction of character.
Is the zodiac Ox a cow or a bull?
Both: Chinese uses 牛 for all cattle, so the sign is not tied to one sex or breed. It is translated Ox by convention.
What years are Ox years?
Ox years include 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later.
Which signs suit the Ox?
Tradition names Snake 蛇 and Rooster 鸡 as the best matches, Rat 鼠 as the secret friend and Goat 羊 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Ox" in Chinese?
我属牛 (wǒ shǔ niú). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 牛 year.
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