The Ox: steady, patient and strong

The story of the Ox

In the Great Race, the Ox was the strongest swimmer and should have won. It kindly carried the Rat across the river, only for the Rat to jump ahead at the last moment. The Ox came second, without complaint, which tells you a lot about its generous, steady nature.

Personality

Oxen are reliable, methodical and calm. They do not rush, but they also do not stop, and what they build tends to last for generations. They are honest to a fault, prefer actions to words, and are often the person everyone quietly depends on.

In love

The Ox loves loyally and for the long term. Grand romantic speeches are not their style; instead they show love by turning up, fixing things and keeping promises. They want a partner who values stability and home.

At work

Oxen shine where persistence pays off: engineering, farming, finance, medicine, building and skilled crafts. Give an Ox a clear goal and enough time, and they will deliver.

Something to watch

The Ox can be stubborn and slow to accept new ideas, especially when they feel rushed. Bending a little, and saying out loud how they feel, makes life easier for them and everyone around them.

Friends, secret friend and clash

Friend group: the Ox shares its rose pink colour on the wheel with the Snake and the Rooster. Together they are the Builders, and they understand each other easily.
Secret friend: the Rat. This quiet, loyal bond is shown by a matching jewel on the inner ring.
Clash: the Goat, directly opposite on the wheel. The two pull in opposite directions, which can mean friction, or real growth if both are willing to learn.

You can read more in Friend groups, secret friends and clashes.

Element and season

The Ox’s own fixed element is Earth, and it is a Yin sign. It belongs to winter on the wheel. Every Ox year also carries a year element, which changes in a ten-year cycle, so a Fire Ox and a Water Ox share the same heart but show it differently. See The five elements for how the elements work.

Lucky things

Traditionally, the Ox’s lucky numbers are 1 and 4, its lucky colours are white, yellow and green, and its lucky flowers are tulip and peach blossom.

Ox years

Your animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February, check the dates below carefully: you may belong to the animal before.

Year	Starts	Ends
Wood Ox	24 January 1925	12 February 1926
Fire Ox	11 February 1937	30 January 1938
Earth Ox	29 January 1949	16 February 1950
Metal Ox	15 February 1961	4 February 1962
Water Ox	3 February 1973	22 January 1974
Wood Ox	20 February 1985	8 February 1986
Fire Ox	7 February 1997	27 January 1998
Earth Ox	26 January 2009	13 February 2010
Metal Ox	12 February 2021	31 January 2022