Year of the Ox traits are characteristics that are common for those born under the sign on the ox in the zodiac calendar. Are you reliable, conscientious and strong? If so, you may be an ox!
The Year of the Ox happens once every 12 years. It played a part in the Chinese New Year celebrations of 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021. Every 12 years after 2021, it also becomes the year of the Ox.
You may have heard of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs of animals. Each of the animals – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig all repeat as the birth year in a 12-year cycle.
If you believe in Chinese astrology, you know that understanding the traits and characteristics of the animals can help us better understand ourselves.
It can also aid us in making good choices for life based on those traits.
In addition to characteristics, each animal also has corresponding natural elements that give us even more information about the year and about ourselves.
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What does Year of the Ox mean?
The ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac. According to astrologers, each of different 12 animals are associated with a year in a repeating 12-year cycle.
According to astrologers, the ox signifies the hard work, positivity and honesty that will be manifested in those of us born under its sign in the next 12 months.
Throughout Chinese history, people created oxen with mud to signify its special year. They would beat these oxen with sticks for a New Year’s ritual to mark the beginning of spring.
It was also believed that placing a metal statue of an ox at the bottom of a river would help to prevent a flood from taking place, so it was common to see one there.
In the Chinese art of fengshui, the ox is regarded as an auspicious animal and gives it the reputation for granting wishes.
In astrology, Year of the Ox predictions are used to guide a person through the following year.
Legend and folklore
In Chinese culture, the ox is a faithful friend that made great contributions to the development of the society.
The Chinese have many myths and legends about oxen or ox-like beings, both earthly and celestial.
One popular legends says that a race was held by a deity to determine the order of the animals in the 12 year cycle. As the race was taking place, the rat cleverly hitched a ride on the back of the ox.
The ox, being large and powerful, both on land and in water, arrived first but the rat jumped off at the last minute to cross the finish line first. This legend explains why the Year of the Ox is the second animal in the 12 year cycle, and not the first.
It also explains why cleverness is one of the traits for the Year of the Rat!
Celebrate the Year of the Ox. Find out about this hard working and dependable animal and see how it figures in the Chinese zodiac. #yearoftheox #chinesezodiac #astrology Share on XYear of the Ox dates
Since the Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar calendar, it does not completely align with your birthday in our solar calendar.
Would you like to know if you are an ox? The list below tells all years from 1914 to 2057.
The handy chart also shows the 12 year cycle of the Years of the Ox.
You can print it out here, click on the image to print it out, or use the project card at the bottom of this post to print it in a slightly smaller format.
Years of the Ox include passed years of 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021 as well as those to come in the years 2033, 2045, 2057 and every 12 years, thereafter.
Year of the Ox traits
In China, the ox is considered an animal of strength that is associated with good harvests and fertility. They have many other positive qualities, too.
Like the ox, people born in the Year of the Ox are thought to be reliable, conscientious and strong. They inspire confidence in others. Ox people are also calm, patient and methodical.
If you have a friend who was born in the Year of the Ox, you will know that you can depend on them. Ox people are also full of of common sense.
On the negative side, the Year of the Ox personality is thought to be very opinionated. They believe in themselves in a strong way, but are also stubborn and hate to be challenged.
Those with the birth year of the ox do not lose their temper easily but when they do, it can become explosive and impulsive.
Oxen are thought to be introverts and are considered serious and quiet.
Love compatibilities
According to Chinese astrologists, animal signs that are four years apart from each other and thought to be compatible. Those 6 years apart and considered bad matches.
The thinking is that each of the animals in a good match have similar ways of thinking or temperament
Thus means that those born in the Year of the Ox are generally thought to be compatible with people of the rat, snake and rooster zodiac signs.
In Chinese zodiac astrology, it is thought that a happy marriage can be predicted if you choose a mate from these zodiac signs.
Year of the Ox combabilities are rated as best to least successful couplings.
Best matches for ox
For the most harmonious relationships choose those born under the year of these zodiac animals:
- Rat
- Snake
- Rooster
So-so matches for Year of the Ox
Marriages and matches with these zodiac signs are considered a medium match:
- Ox
- Monkey
Worst matches for oxen
Unless you enjoy lots of conflict in relationships, avoid a match with these zodiac signs:
- Tiger
- Dragon
- Horse
- Sheep
Oxen and the Five Elements
There are five elements of the Chinese zodiac: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
In Chinese astrology, each of the 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs is associated with one of the five elements, which is known as the fixed element of their sign.
The fixed element for the Year of the Ox is Earth.
Year of the Ox and fengshui
Chinese philosophers believe that good fengshui brings good luck. They thought that each of the natural elements has a unique quality that can be expressed in color, compass direction, seasons, and shapes, etc.
If your sign is the Year of the Ox, your lucky element is Earth, so you should incorporate these in your life:
- A center direction
- Change of seasons
- Damp weather
- Color yellow
- Square shapes
To practice good fengshui, as a season changes, you could use a square shaped vase in the center of a room with yellow flowers and water it when days are damp.
These practices are thought to encourage good luck and enhance your health, wealth and longevity.
Famous people born in the Year of the Ox
Were you born in the Year of the Ox? Lucky you! You share the traits of these famous people:
- George Clooney
- Barack Obama
- Meryl Streep
- Morgan Freeman
- Margaret Thatcher
- Walt Disney
- Diana Spencer
If you were born in the Year of the Ox, do you feel that you have the traits of the animal? Let us know in the comments below.
Pin this post for the Year of the Ox Traits for later
Would you like a reminder of this post that talks about the characteristics of the zodiac sign of the ox? Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
You can also watch our video on YouTube.
Year of the Ox Printable
Would you like a handy copy of the dates for the year of the Ox? Print out this printable and keep it handy or frame it for a table decoration.
Materials
- Heavy cardstock
Tools
- Deskjet printer
Instructions
- Load your desk jet printer with heavy cardstock.
- Print out the image below.
- Store in your journal or frame for a decor item.
- Using this print function on this card will print a calendar that fills about 3/4 of an 8 x 11 sheet of paper.
- To fill the entire page, choose 125% or "fit to page" on your printer if you have this setting,.
- You can also use the link over the image in the post above and print using the browser print feature.
Notes
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