Chinese Horoscope: What is a Wood Ox and what year is it?
WHILE you may know your star sign off the top of your head, you may not know what animal you are in the Chinese Zodiac.
Repeating every 12 years, the animal cycle includes the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig.
Each of those can then be split into five elements - Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal and Water.
So what exactly is the 'Wood Ox' zodiac sign and what does it represent?
What year is the Wood Ox?
The years of the Wood Ox are 1925 and 1985.
This is because the year of the Ox only comes around once every 12 years, and every rotation works its way through the five elements.
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This means there's a 60-year gap between Wood Ox years, and the next one will be in 2045.
The Ox is the second animal in the , 12-year cycle of animals constituting part of the Chinese calendar system.
The Ox is only second as, according to legend, it was tricked by the Rat.
The furry creature sneakily managed to get the Ox to give him a lift to the Jade Emperor's party - on his back.
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Just as the Ox was about to arrive, the Rat jumped off his back and clinched first place.
The Ox is usually associated with the early morning, between one and three am.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Ashley Tisdale are two celebrities who are born in 1985, the year of the Wood Ox.
Other years of the Ox
The other years of the Ox are 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009.
And next year, 2021, will also be the year of the Ox.
Other celebrities born in the year of the Ox include George Clooney and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Characteristics and personality traits of the Wood Ox
According to , Wood Oxen are very loyal and hard-working.
They said: "The Wood Ox is a very self driven person at all times which makes them very good in the work area.
"They are mainly loyal and devoted to the members of their family and have a thoughtful and helpful nature."
Overall Ox are seen as stubborn, dignified and disciplined, and they take responsibility very seriously.
Types of Ox
Each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, and the explains what this means for the Ox.
Wood Ox: A Wood Ox has many skills, and will usually coast by in life without many problems. While they may experience obstacles in their younger years, their problems soon resolve themselves.
Metal Ox: This Ox works hard and faces some tough obstacles. But while they can't rely on family friends for any financial assistance, they'll be able to retire comfortably.
Water Ox: These Oxen typically have an easy start to life, but they should ideally wait a while until getting married. They're well-respected and have a loving family.
Fire Ox: Luckily this Ox never has any financial problems, and they're sociable with lots of friends.
Earth Ox: While this Oxen makes a lot of money, they soon spend it. They enjoy being in charge, but slow down and enjoy life in their later years.
Compatibility
The Ox is most compatible with the rat, snake and rooster, and they're the least compatible with goat, horse and dog.
The Ox and the Rat have personalities which complement each other, and they also work towards the same goals in life.
According to , Ox's are drawn towards Rooster's 'soft and loving' heart.
Chinese zodiac signs in order
- 🐀 Rat
- 🐂 Ox
- 🐅 Tiger
- 🐇 Rabbit
- 🐲 Dragon
- 🐍 Snake
- 🐎 Horse
- 🐐 Goat
- 🐒 Monkey
- 🐓 Rooster
- 🐕 Dog
- 🐖 Pig
And Oxen are attracted to snake's warmth and romance, while they're also supportive in the workplace.
Plus here's everything you need to know about the Year of the Ox.
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And if if you're the Year of the Dragon - find out what that means here.
In more zodiac news, read up on what the Year of the Rat means for you.