The Chinese zodiac is made up of 12 animals that first appeared in the Zhan Guo period or about 500 BC to 401 BC. It is one of the most treasured practices in Chinese culture. Even to this day, millions of people inside and outside of China believe in zodiac predictions. Poised to stay for the centuries to come, we will be welcoming the Year of the Ox in 2021.

Ox is the second animal among the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. In order, the animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The Chinese word “Ox” also refers to bulls, cows, or other types of the bovine family including bison, African buffalo, and the water buffalo.

2021: Year of the Ox

Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year is the celebration of the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunar calendar. Aside from China, other countries in Asia also honor this holiday such as Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. To most, this is the official start of the next Chinese zodiac.

As mentioned previously, the Chinese zodiac moves in cycles. People who are born in the year 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021 will fall under the Year of the Ox. In other words, if you’re born in one of those years, then 2021 is your year!

To be exact, the Year of the Ox starts on 12 February 2021 and ends on 31 January 2022.

The Ox is Yin.

All the Chinese zodiacs have a yin and yang identity. The ox falls under yin, including the rooster, rabbit, pig, snake, and goat. On the other hand, the yang signs include the monkey, tiger, rat, horse, dragon, and dog. Based on Taoist beliefs, every object on Earth consists of Yin and Yang. Considered to be masculine, giving, and logical for Yang, and feminine, receptive, and intuitive for the Yin, both of them are a concept of dualism. Watch this video to find out more about Yin and Yang.

Hard-working individuals will be rewarded in 2021.

The ox is a hard worker. And for 2021, Chinese zodiac experts believe that hard-working individuals will be rewarded this year. Furthermore, 2021 is the year when certain people finally feel the complete weight of their responsibilities. Hence, it’s better to double or triple the efforts to accomplish a new milestone.

There will be no catastrophic events in the Metal Ox year.

According to the forecast for the Year of the Ox in 2021, there will be no major or catastrophic events that will happen, unlike 2020. Expected to a favorable year economy, individuals who believe in this forecast may now explore a profitable their long-term investments. Furthermore, the Metal Ox year is perfect for harmonizing your family life. Discipline and time management will be the key to solve any family issues.

The next Year of the Ox starts on 31 January 2033.

The next Year of the Ox falls between 31 January 2033 and 18 February 2034, as the Water Ox year. Subsequently, the Wood Ox year from 17 February 2045 to 5 February 2046.

Origins Of The Ox In The Chinese Zodiac

In Chinese mythology, the numerous legends about the ox or ox-like creature embody both celestial and earthly types of the ox, including other entities. Those tales and legends vary from ones that have oxen or composite beings with ox characteristics such as being an icon for agriculture, ox-powered carriage, as well as an important sacrificial offering for religious rituals.

The Great Race

The reason why the Ox is second in the Chinese zodiac sequence originated from the old mythological story, “The Great Race.” According to one of the few variations of the story, the Jade Emperor, one of the most important gods of Taoist pantheons, hosted the race where the first 12 winners will be chosen as the emperor’s guard. The winners of the race ended up as the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac in the same order.

The Rat outsmarted the Ox.

On the day of the Great Race, many animals prepared towards the Heavenly Gate. The Rat woke up very early but while its on the way to the Heavenly Gate, it got stuck at the side of the river as it feared the strong current. After waiting for some time, the Rat saw the Ox, which was about to cross the river. The rat suddenly jumped into Ox. The Rat continued to ride on the Ox even after crossing the river. And they were close to the finish line, the Rat jumped off the Ox. Right after, the clever Rat dashed to the feet of the Emperor, and eventually, the Ox finished in second place.

The Chinese zodiac has similarities to Western astrology.

The Chinese zodiac has its similarities as well as differences when we compare it to Western astrology. There are also 12 signs in Western Astrology. These include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Furthermore, if the Chinese zodiac calls the people under the year of the ox to be reliable, strong, fair, patient, kind, and conservative, Western Astrology calls its Taurus to be reliable, diligent, and conservative.

Vietnam zodiac uses Buffalo instead of Ox.

Vietnam has a slight variation of the 12 zodiac signs which includes the Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Noticeably, the Rabbit is substituted by the Cat, while the Ox is replaced with Buffalo.

Ox’s Personalities And Traits

Every animal in the Chinese zodiac represents unique and different personalities.

People born in the Year of the Ox are reliable.

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the Year of the Ox are known to be reliable, strong, fair, patient, kind, and conservative. They are also methodical, calm, trustworthy, although they say people who are born during the Year of the Ox can be very opinionated and stubborn.

Even out of the Chinese zodiac, many view the ox as a symbol of determination, fertility, confidence, power, and stability. It’s accepted in both the worlds of long-ago cultures until this present day.

Ox values their friends sincerely.

According to the people who practice the Chinese zodiac, the ox people do not have high communication skills which makes them less social. Ox prefers to be a homebody or when outside, they prefer to be in solitude rather than joining group tasks. However, on the flip side, they value their friends sincerely, and in terms of a love relationship, the ox people like to hold a long term relationship with their partner. Furthermore, the oxen have a strong work ethic and focused on details—the best jobs or careers for these people may include agriculture, politics, mechanic, engineering, architecture, real estate, carpentry, and manufacturing.

Barack Obama was born during the Year of the Ox.

Some of the most famous people who are born in the Year of the Ox include the 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama, the American actor, George Clooney, the Colombian drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar, the 5th President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, the American singer, Bruno Mars, American actress, Meryl Streep, the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, and the former Emperor of Japan, Hirohito.

The Rooster and Dragon are “not compatible” with the Ox.

According to the “Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Grid,” the Ox is most compatible with Rat, Snake, and Rooster. It has an average match with the Pig, Monkey, Dog, Tiger, Rabbit, and itself. Finally, Rooster and Dragon are the least compatible with the Ox. Take this with a pinch of salt, though!

 

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been taken for the content to be as accurate and reliable as possible, it is important that the user understands they are still a prediction and not an absolute. The author and website owner are in no way liable for outcomes following the predictions in this article. 

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