Year of the Ox牛年 niú nián · the second animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 2 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 牛 niú - Ox
- “Year of the Ox”
- 牛年 niú nián
- Earthly Branch
- 丑 chǒu
- Hours of the day
- 1 am – 3 am
- Yin or yang
- Yin
- Next Ox year
- 2033 (31 January 2033 - 18 February 2034)
Year of the Ox years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 19 Feb 1901 | 7 Feb 1902 | Metal |
| 1913 | 6 Feb 1913 | 25 Jan 1914 | Water |
| 1925 | 24 Jan 1925 | 12 Feb 1926 | Wood |
| 1937 | 11 Feb 1937 | 30 Jan 1938 | Fire |
| 1949 | 29 Jan 1949 | 16 Feb 1950 | Earth |
| 1961 | 15 Feb 1961 | 4 Feb 1962 | Metal |
| 1973 | 3 Feb 1973 | 22 Jan 1974 | Water |
| 1985 | 20 Feb 1985 | 8 Feb 1986 | Wood |
| 1997 | 7 Feb 1997 | 27 Jan 1998 | Fire |
| 2009 | 26 Jan 2009 | 13 Feb 2010 | Earth |
| 2021 | 12 Feb 2021 | 31 Jan 2022 | Metal |
| 2033 | 31 Jan 2033 | 18 Feb 2034 | Water |
| 2045 | 17 Feb 2045 | 5 Feb 2046 | Wood |
How to say Year of the Ox in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Ox personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Ox are traditionally described as hard-working, patient and dependable: the kind of person who finishes what they start.
Said to be
- hard-working
- patient
- dependable
- honest
Said to watch out for
- stubborn
- slow to change
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Ox in the Great Race
In the Great Race the Ox was the strongest swimmer and was about to win when the Rat, which had been riding on its back, jumped ahead at the finish. The Ox came second and, true to its character, did not complain.
The Ox in Chinese culture
China was a farming society for thousands of years, and the ox pulled the plough. It stands for honest hard work. A person who quietly works for others is called a 老黄牛 (lǎo huángniú), “an old yellow ox.”
In modern slang 牛 (niú) also means “awesome.” 你真牛！ (nǐ zhēn niú!) means “You're amazing!”
Chinese idioms with 牛
对牛弹琴
duì niú tán qín
"playing the zither to an ox"
Explaining something to the wrong audience; wasting your words.
九牛一毛
jiǔ niú yì máo
"one hair from nine oxen"
A tiny amount compared with the whole; a drop in the ocean.
Ox compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Ox?
Recent and coming Years of the Ox are 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033, 2045. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Ox?
The next Year of the Ox runs from 31 January 2033 to 18 February 2034.
How do you say Year of the Ox in Chinese?
It is 牛年 (niú nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属牛 (wǒ shǔ niú).
Is it the Year of the Ox, the Cow or the Buffalo?
The Chinese word 牛 (niú) covers oxen, cows and buffalo. English usually says Year of the Ox; in Vietnam the same year is the Year of the Buffalo.