Year of the Ox
The Ox is sign number 2 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Ox year are traditionally described as diligent, dependable, patient and determined. Its fixed element is Earth, and each Ox year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Ox
| Lucky numbers | 1, 4 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | White, Yellow, Green |
| Lucky directions | North, South |
| Less favourable numbers | 5, 6 |
| Less favourable colors | Blue |
| Less favourable directions | Southwest |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Snake, Rooster |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Rat |
| Clash (六冲) | Goat |
| Harm (六害) | Horse |
| Punishment (刑) | Goat, Dog |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Ox years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Water Ox | Feb 6, 1913 – Jan 25, 1914 |
| 1925 | Wood Ox | Jan 24, 1925 – Feb 12, 1926 |
| 1937 | Fire Ox | Feb 11, 1937 – Jan 30, 1938 |
| 1949 | Earth Ox | Jan 29, 1949 – Feb 16, 1950 |
| 1961 | Metal Ox | Feb 15, 1961 – Feb 4, 1962 |
| 1973 | Water Ox | Feb 3, 1973 – Jan 22, 1974 |
| 1985 | Wood Ox | Feb 20, 1985 – Feb 8, 1986 |
| 1997 | Fire Ox | Feb 7, 1997 – Jan 27, 1998 |
| 2009 | Earth Ox | Jan 26, 2009 – Feb 13, 2010 |
| 2021 | Metal Ox | Feb 12, 2021 – Jan 31, 2022 |
| 2033 | Water Ox | Jan 31, 2033 – Feb 18, 2034 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Ox?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Ox the lucky numbers 1, 4 and the less favourable numbers 5, 6.
What colors are lucky for the Ox?
Lucky colors for the Ox are White, Yellow, Green; less favourable colors are Blue.
Which signs are most compatible with the Ox?
The Ox forms a harmonious trine with the Snake, Rooster and a “secret friend” pair with the Rat. Its classical clash is with the Goat.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.