Ox Chinese Zodiac - Dates, Personality and Compatibility

The Ox is one of the animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Astrology Zodiac. Get to know the dates, personality characteristics and how they relate to other Chinese signs.

The Sign Ox (also referred to as Buffalo), is the second sign of the Chinese Zodiac. The Chinese calendar follows the cycles of the Moon and the Chinese Zodiac year begins with the Chinese New Year, which starts from late January to mid-February. Therefore, if you were born in January or February of the years ruled by the Ox sign, you could be an Ox or a Rat (see Ox years below or see here the years of all Chinese Zodiac signs).

The Chinese Zodiac is composed of 12 animals that are organized in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Serpent, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Chinese calendar follows the cycles of the Moon, and on the first day of the Chinese New Year, one of the 12 animals takes its place for that year.

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Features of the Ox Sign

  • Symbol - 牛
  • Element - Water
  • Regent Planet - Mercury
  • Hour - 01h-03h
  • Season - Winter
  • Color - Yellow , color associated with progress, fame and personal achievement. In Imperial China, this color was reserved for the Emperor.
  • Orientation - North-Northeast, orientation linked to the end of winter, when the Yin still has strength but the Yang is starting to grow
  • Yin/Yang Polarity - Yin, element that tends to express introverted, internalized, deep, intimate and calm behaviors
  • Attributes - Honest, conservative, independent, reliable, serious, persevering, realistic, constant, quiet, hardworking, committed, stubborn, conscientious, premeditated, patient, impetuous, determined
  • Lucky Days - 13 and 27 of each Chinese lunar month
  • Lucky Months - 7th and 9th Chinese lunar months
  • Lucky Numbers - 1, 4 and numbers that contain 1 and 4 (like 14 and 41)
  • Unlucky Numbers - 5, 6
  • Greater Affinity - Rat, Dragon, Snake, Rooster, Dog
  • Less Affinity - Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Pig
  • Corresponding Western Sign - Capricorn

The Ox Sign in Mythology

There are many legends and stories about the animals chosen to be part of the Chinese astrological system. One of these legends refers to the desire of the Jade Emperor to know the animals that inhabited the Earth. He decided that some of them would be brought into his presence. To facilitate the selection, the Emperor defined two criteria: they would have to be useful animals to Man or be one of the first to arrive at the Heavenly Palace on the day of choosing the animals.

The Ox was one of the first servants of the Heavenly Palace, acting as a messenger between Heaven and Earth. His usefulness to men was recognized by all thanks to his strength and dedication to his work. When the Jade Emperor decided to choose the 12 animals of the Zodiac, the farmers happily recommended the Ox for a place.

Thanks to its diligent character, the Ox was the first animal to reach the gates of the Heavenly Palace, but not the first to enter. When the gates opened, the Rat that had caught the giant's ride, perched on its horns, darted into the entrance before the Ox could advance. However, the Jade Emperor awarded the Ox second place to reward his generosity so that the Rat would sit on his back to play the flute.

Dates of the Ox Sign

The Chinese Zodiac is associated with the way time is measured by traditional Chinese culture, that is, in 60-year cycles. This calendar results from the multiplication of the twelve animals and the five elements. This cycle is very important and makes each one of the 60 years a special and unique period.

Each animal governs, in rotation, a given year, in a continuous 12-year cycle that starts with the Rat and ends with the Pig. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, one of the 12 animals takes its place for that year. In addition to characterizing people born during that year, the animal also influences the attributes of the year - which affects us all. The years governed by the sign Boi are as follows:

  • February 11 1937 to January 30 1938 - Fire Ox
  • January 29 1949 to February 16 1950 - Earth Ox
  • February 15 1961 to February 4 1962 - Metal Ox
  • February 20 1985 to February 8 1986 - Wood Ox
  • February 07 1997 to January 27 1998 - Fire Ox
  • January 26 2009 to February 13 2010 - Earth Ox
  • February 12 2021 to January 31 2022 - Metal Ox

Ox Native Personality

RELIABLE AND STRAIGHT-FORWARD

The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac and is associated with attention and care. The personality of this sign is calm and constant. It never gives up, even when everyone else has lost hope. Even in the most complicated situations, the native doesn't lose reason and, when it makes a commitment, it sticks to its word.

The Ox sign personality is said to be diligent, dependable, powerful, and determined. With a frank and honest nature, the natives of this sign are very dedicated to the Motherland, live according to their ideals and ambitions, and are dedicated to family and work.

The people of this sign tend to be conservative and guide their life choices according to cultural traditions and precepts. Ox women are dedicated and traditional and attach great importance to the education of their children. 

Patient and determined to reach their goals, natives of the Ox sign work diligently and need peace and quiet to work on their ideas. Your effort is consistent and constant. They are not easily influenced by the opinions of others or by environmental factors. In the face of uncertainty and change, they continue to work and follow the plan. 

Realistic, for this native, it is essential to have a plan with all the steps properly detailed. Do not let yourself be deceived by impossible fantasies and dreams. It bases its life on strong convictions that are built on logic and real facts. As a result, people of this sign are seen as hardworking and successful. 

Natives of this sign have some difficulty communicating their ideas and feelings. They are stubborn and find little use in exchanging ideas or discussing points of view with others. They prefer to define their plan and go their own way.

Love and Relationships

In love, the native of the sign Ox is sensitive and has a hard time forgiving a betrayal. It values the stability and strength of relationships. For this native, its companion is a symbol of stability, truth and support. A partner to face the difficulties of life and to share the good things with.

This loyal and honest native is easily hurt when it suffers a betrayal. Therefore, it is cautious in the choices it makes and slowly moves forward in relationships. Only when it feels secure does it move forward.

  • Signs more compatible with Ox - Rat, Dragon, Snake, Rooster, Dog
  • Signs less compatible with Ox - Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Pig

Ox Sign Compatibilities

Chinese Astrology understands that certain combinations of Zodiac animals do better than others and that some signs are naturally antagonistic and therefore have a disharmonious relationship.

The compatibility between animals in the Chinese Horoscope takes into account the characteristics of each animal. Those whose characteristics match each other well and may tend to have good compatibility. The opposite is equally valid.

Ox with...
RatWell-balanced and harmonious relationship. The Ox is a good listener and Rat knows how to entertain it.
OxIt's not a good alliance. The difficulty in communicating makes it difficult to develop any kind of relationship.
TigerThis combination could work if the Tiger allows the Ox to control the relationship. However, as Tigers do not easily give in to other people's rules, there can be conflicts.
RabbitThe Rabbit is a naturally optimistic personality which does not like the pessimistic character of the Ox. It is a relationship doomed to misunderstanding points of view and lifestyle choices.
DragonThis is a powerful combination. Together these two personalities can go a long way.
SnakeA lasting and stable relationship. The Ox gives stability to the Snake, and the Snake understands the Ox's anxieties and helps him to relax.
HorseThis is not a happy combination. The Ox is a slave to planning while the Horse is impulsive and impetuous. The most predictable is to constantly irritate each other.
GoatGoat's apparent lack of morals drives the native away from Ox. These two don't seem to agree on anything.
MonkeyThe Monkey seeks change; Ox hates her. This combination does not work, whether in love or in business.
RoosterThese two are a good combination. The Rooster sets things in motion and the Ox finishes them.
DogThis relationship can work, more in business than in love, if both natives are aligned on goals and working in the same direction.
PigThe Pig has a reputation as a spender and this is a habit that the Ox does not tolerate. The Pig finds the Ox boring. This is a relationship that requires a lot of work on both sides to function.

The Ox Sign and the Career

The native of the Ox sign is strict and finds it easy to get anxious when projects go unplanned. Work is a very serious matter for these people. It may react somewhat slowly when confronted, but it thinks clearly and thinks carefully through each of the phases of the work. Effectively organize your tasks and those of your team.

This native accepts authority well but needs to feel that those who lead and make decisions have the necessary competence and rigor to do so. Unweighted and out-of-context decisions make it uneasy. It can handle uncertainty, but he's an apologist for planning and analyzing multiple scenarios.

It doesn't like surprises at work and prefers to be prepared than to be forced to make decisions - or follow directions - that it feels don't have a solid foundation.

The best careers - agricultural production, industrial management, real estate management, medicine, pharmacist, mechanic, engineer, interior design, artist, politician, philosophy, teacher, chef, policeman, security

The Ox Sign and Health

The natives of Ox are usually physically strong and robust; they can live long and healthy.

As they work hard and have a stubborn personality, they usually spend a lot of time working and little time relaxing. They can forget about meals and spend long hours dedicated to their tasks. This makes them prone to obesity and digestive problems.

Therefore, this native must find time to relax, exercise regularly and pay attention to diet. Your stubborn, and stubborn temperament may lead you to reject help and accept that you need to be more aware of your health.

This native should be encouraged to take regular breaks and rest even for short periods of time.

The Five Kinds of Ox

In the Chinese astrological system, each sign of the zodiac is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. For example, a Wood Ox appears once in the 60-year cycle. A person's personality characteristics are influenced by various influences, including the sign and element of the year of birth. Thus, there are five types of Oxen, each with its own characteristics:

Wood Ox

Characterization - Sustainment, Creativity, Growth

This Ox has been blessed with a refined sense of humor. It is the most adaptable type of Ox and needs to try new things. Restless, decisive, direct, he is always ready to defend the weak and helpless.

Fire Ox

Characterization - Passion, Intelligence, Movement

Someone unpredictable, that has the sensitivity of a bull in a china shop. His personality may be somewhat shortsighted, selfish, narrow-minded, impersonal, but it doesn't lose the practical sense of life.

Earth Ox

Characterization - Balance, Reliability, Consolidation

Ingenious and reliable, this type of Ox makes excellent researchers and scientists. Honest and prudent, has a strong sense of responsibility. It has the ability to accumulate great wealth as a result of its hard work and saving habits.

Metal Ox

Characterization - Usefulness, Strength, Reliability

Organized and full of common sense, this type of Ox is hardworking, active, always busy with his multiple tasks and very popular in his cycle of friends.

Water Ox

Characterization - Communication, Sensitivity, Intuition

Worker, ambitious, tenacious, and able to withstand difficulties. It has a great sense of fairness and keen observational skills. It is a good diplomat and an excellent listener.

Chinese Zodiac Signs

  • Rat - Quick-witted, Versatile, Kind
  • Ox - Diligent, Dependable, Determined
  • Tiger - Resourceful, Versatile, Kind
  • Rabbit - Intuitive, Kind, Responsible
  • Dragon - Confident, Independent, Enthusiastic
  • Snake - Enigmatic, Intelligent, Wise
  • Horse - Animated, Active, Energetic
  • Goat - Calm, Gentle, Adaptable
  • Monkey - Sharp, Fun, Curious
  • Rooster - Protector, Hardworking, Courageous
  • Dog - Lovely, Honest, Prudent
  • Pig - Sensual, Generous, Diligent