Currently, the most relevant years of the Ox include 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, and 1937.
As the second animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle, the ox represents diligence, perseverance, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and hard work. It is often associated with characteristics such as reliability, stability, and patience.
The ox represents a strong work ethic and the ability to endure challenges. Chinese folklore often portrays the ox as an indispensable helper in agricultural labor. This association has led to the ox being regarded as a symbol of prosperity, productivity, and abundance. In fact, the Chinese New Year celebrations often feature the ox as a symbol of good fortune and agricultural abundance.
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Chinese Zodiac Ox Years
Recent years of the Ox include 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949 and 1937. If you were born in the year of an Ox, your Chinese zodiac sign is probably the Ox!
The Chinese zodiac year is usually said to start from Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid-February. Therefore, if you were born in January or February in one of the above years, you might be an Ox, or possibly a Rat. Additionally, if you were born in January/February in one of the years immediately following those above (2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, etc.), then you may be an Ox or a Tiger.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator tool below to be sure or see the table below.
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Dates for Ox Years
| Ox Years | Date | Element |
|---|---|---|
| 2033 | January 31, 2033 – February 18, 2034 | Water Ox |
| 2021 | February 12, 2021 – January 31, 2022 | Metal Ox |
| 2009 | January 26, 2009 – February 13, 2010 | Earth Ox |
| 1997 | February 7, 1997 – January 27, 1998 | Fire Ox |
| 1985 | February 19, 1985 – February 8, 1986 | Wood Ox |
| 1973 | February 3, 1973 – January 22, 1974 | Water Ox |
| 1961 | February 15, 1961 – February 4, 1962 | Metal Ox |
| 1949 | January 29, 1949 – February 16, 1950 | Earth Ox |
| 1937 | February 11, 1937 – January 31, 1938 | Fire Ox |
| 1925 | January 24, 1925 – February 12, 1926 | Wood Ox |
Ox's Horoscope Predictions and Lucky Color for 2024
2024 is a year of the Dragon. According to Chinese astrology, the year 2024 may pose some challenges for those of you born in a year of the Ox (known as Oxes). The clash of energies and the influence of ominous stars could make it a year of turbulence and hardships. Oxes, this means that you will need to put in some extra effort compared to others.
Lucky color for 2024: purple, green, glod, orange
Read the Ox horoscope for 2024: Career, Love, and Money Predictions.
The Ox's Personality: Diligent, Dependable...
Having an honest nature, the Ox is known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination. These reflect traditional conservative characteristics.
Having great patience and a desire to make progress, Oxes can achieve their goals by consistent effort. They are not much influenced by others or the environment, but persist in doing things according to their ideas and capabilities.
Before taking any action, Oxes usually have a definite plan with detailed steps, to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength. As a result, people of the Ox zodiac sign often enjoy great success.
Female Oxes are traditional, faithful wives, who attach great importance to their children's education. They would achieve their career success easily with their strong personality.
Male Oxes are strongly patriotic. They have strong ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work.
Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, and Water Ox
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. For example, a Wood Ox comes once in a 60-year cycle.
It is theorized that a person's characteristics are decided by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and element. This means there are five types of Ox, each with different characteristics:
| Element of Ox | Personality |
|---|---|
| Wood Ox (1925, 1985) | Restless, decisive, straightforward, and always ready to defend the weak and helpless |
| Fire Ox (1937, 1997) | Short-sighted, selfish, narrow-minded, impersonal, but practical |
| Earth Ox (1949, 2009) | Honest and prudentive, with a strong sense of responsibility |
| Metal Ox (1961, 2021) | Hardworking, active, always busy, and popular among friends |
| Water Ox (1913, 1973) | Hardworking, ambitious, tenacious, and able to endure hardship, with strong sense of justice and keen observational abilities |
See Chinese Zodiac Oxes of 5 Elements: Characters and Destinies.
What're the Lucky Things for People Born in a Year of Ox
Things that will bring Oxes luck:
- Lucky numbers: 1, 4, and numbers containing them (like 14 and 41)
- Lucky colors: white, yellow, green
- Lucky flowers: tulip, peach blossom
- Lucky directions: north, south
Things that Oxes should avoid:
- Unlucky numbers: 5 and 6, and numbers containing them (like 56 and 65)
- Unlucky color: blue
- Unlucky direction: southwest
Ox's Love Compatibility
Each animal sign has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility among Chinese zodiac animals mostly takes into account the general characteristics of each animal. Only those whose characteristics match each other well can be good partners.
See below the compatibility of the Ox with other animals:
Best with: Rat, Snake, and Rooster
Worst with: Tiger, Horse, Goat, or Monkey
Want to know if she/he is compatible with you? Use our zodiac love compatibility calculator below. Or you can check the 12 Chinese zodiac signs' love compatibility in detail.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Good Health for Oxes
Oxes are strong and robust; they can enjoy a fairly healthy and long life, which is fulfilled with little illness.
Because of their hard work with a stubborn personality, they often spend too much time in their work, rarely allowing themselves enough time to relax, and tend to forget meals, which make them have intestinal problems. So enough rest and a regular diet are needed for Oxes to work efficiently.
The Best Careers for Oxes
As the symbol of hard work, Ox people always work hard at everything and stick to finishing it. Possessing a serious and responsible attitude toward work, they can come up with different approaches to their task.
With a keen eye for details and an admirable work ethic, they are competent in such careers as agriculture, manufacturing, pharmacy, mechanics, engineering, draftsmanship, artistry, politics, real estate, interior design, painting, carpentry, or quarry work.
Famous Ox Year People:
- Barack Obama: born on August 4, 1961, a Metal Ox
- Vincent Van Gogh: born on March 30, 1853, a Water Ox
- Walt Disney: born on December 5, 1901, a Gold Ox
- Margaret Thatcher: born on October 13, 1925, a Wood Ox
How to Build Relationships with "Ox People"
Ox people are not good at communicating with others, so they have less social intercourse. They prefer to stay alone and enjoy solitude instead of participating in group activities. However, they treat friends sincerely and place high value on friendship.
For love relationships, Oxen tend to keep long-term relationship with their lovers. Frequent changes of lover make them uncomfortable. Ladies of the Ox zodiac sign lack femininity. If they can realize their inadequacies, and change their cautious attitude of indifference to affection and enthusiasm, they will have love relationships to their hearts' desire.