Wood Ox
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1925, 1985
Animal 2 of 12 · Earth · Yin
The Ox
Endurance, reliability and quiet stubbornness.
Position in cycle2 of 12
Fixed elementEarth
Yin or yangYin
Hours governed01:00–03:00
SeasonWinter
Lucky numbers1, 4
Lucky colourswhite, yellow, green
Strength. Finishes what it starts, without supervision and without complaint.
Friction. Immovable once decided, and reads flexibility as weakness.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Ox holds 01:00–03:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Ox as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Dependable
Patient
Stubborn
Methodical
Reserved
Ox years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Fire Ox | 11 February |
| 1949 | Earth Ox | 29 January |
| 1961 | Metal Ox | 15 February |
| 1973 | Water Ox | 3 February |
| 1985 | Wood Ox | 20 February |
| 1997 | Fire Ox | 7 February |
| 2009 | Earth Ox | 26 January |
| 2021 | Metal Ox | 12 February |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Oxs
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Ox and a Fire Ox are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Fire Ox
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1937, 1997
Earth Ox
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1949, 2009
Metal Ox
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1961, 2021
Water Ox
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1973, 2033
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Ox recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Ox year is 2033.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Ox compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Snake | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Rooster | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Rat | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Rabbit | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Pig | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Ox | Same sign | 72% |
| Tiger | Neutral | 68% |
| Horse | Neutral | 68% |
| Monkey | Neutral | 68% |
| Dragon | Square — friction | 60% |
| Dog | Square — friction | 60% |
| Goat | Traditional clash | 45% |