Year of the Ox: Chinese Zodiac Ox Years, Traits and Matches
The short answer
Ox years come every 12 years and begin at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January. The most recent ran from 12 February 2021 to 31 January 2022, and the next begins on 31 January 2033.
Ox years come every 12 years and begin at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January. The most recent ran from 12 February 2021 to 31 January 2022, and the next begins on 31 January 2033.
The Ox is the patient worker of the zodiac. Tradition describes Ox people as dependable, methodical and quietly strong: slow to start, very hard to stop. They prefer proof to promises and build things meant to last, from a savings account to a family routine.
Strengths and challenges
Strengths: Patient, Dependable, Methodical, Determined. Challenges: Stubborn, Slow to change, Reserved, Prone to overwork.
The Ox in love
In love the Ox is steady rather than showy. It shows commitment by turning up, again and again, and opens slowly. A partner who values reliability over grand gestures will find a very loyal companion.
The Ox at work
At work the Ox builds foundations. It suits finance, engineering, farming, craft and any long project where consistency beats speed.
Best and hardest matches
Traditionally the Ox works best with the Snake and Rooster (its trine) and has a quiet ally in the Rat. Its opposite is the Goat, the pairing tradition calls a clash.
Every Ox year, 1924 to 2044
| Year | Element and animal | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | Wood Ox | 24 January 1925 | 12 February 1926 |
| 1937 | Fire Ox | 11 February 1937 | 30 January 1938 |
| 1949 | Earth Ox | 29 January 1949 | 16 February 1950 |
| 1961 | Metal Ox | 15 February 1961 | 4 February 1962 |
| 1973 | Water Ox | 3 February 1973 | 22 January 1974 |
| 1985 | Wood Ox | 20 February 1985 | 8 February 1986 |
| 1997 | Fire Ox | 7 February 1997 | 27 January 1998 |
| 2009 | Earth Ox | 26 January 2009 | 13 February 2010 |
| 2021 | Metal Ox | 12 February 2021 | 31 January 2022 |
| 2033 | Water Ox | 31 January 2033 | 18 February 2034 |
Branch: 丑 Chǒu · Fixed element: Earth · Yin · Hours: 1am to 3am
How the dates are worked out
Each Chinese New Year here is worked out from the sky, not copied from a list. A lunar month starts on the day of a New Moon in China Standard Time (UTC+8, or Beijing local time before 1929). The month holding the December solstice is the 11th month. When 13 New Moons fall between two of those months, the first month with no principal solar term (the Sun reaching a multiple of 30 degrees) is a leap month. New Year is the first day of the 1st month, which is why it moves between 21 January and 20 February. New Moons and solar terms follow Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms. The rules follow the Chinese calendar.