Starting on Lunar New Year (February 12th, 2021), it will be the year of the Ox (牛 niú). Every 12 years, it will be the year of the Ox again, so in 2033, 2045, and so on. In fact, there are actually five different types or elements of ox: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements are in a cyclic pattern too, so every year of the ox (12 years), there will be a different element linked to it; 2021 is the year of the metal ox! There are fortunes associated with these elements, and with the metal ox, it’s said that they will not have any financial troubles, and ultimately they’ll experience a comfortable retirement.
In addition, there are several defining characteristics for those born in the year of the Ox. For example, due to the ox’s important role in Chinese culture and agriculture, favorable characteristics like honesty, diligence, dependability, and strength are reflected in individuals who carry its zodiac sign. They’re logical and patient thinkers, thus making them amazing leaders and workers. However, it’s said that individuals born in this year are stubborn and don’t have great communication skills.
This year on Lunar New Year (春节 chūnjié), people will greet each other with the saying, “祝你牛年吉祥 (zhù nǐ niú nián jíxiáng)” which means “wish you an auspicious year of the ox.” The Chinese New Year festival usually lasts 16 days, starting on New Year’s Eve, which is February 11th this year, to the Lantern Festival (元宵节-yuán xiāo jié), which is on February 26th. Traditionally, people like to celebrate by gifting red envelopes, setting off fireworks and firecrackers, and reuniting with family to have a dinner feast. Furthemore, they enjoy decorating specifically in red because red is a lucky color that scares off the evil spirits. Public celebrations like the lion dance and dragon dance can also be seen around bustling cities!
Sources:
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/ox.htm
https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/ox/
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/when-chinese-new-year.htm
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/
Every year for Lunar New Year, I try to find out if I knew anyone that has the zodiac for the year. However, I only know one person in my life who is a year of the ox. I never actually learned about their personality traits, such as honesty, diligence, dependability, and strength. I also learned that there is a cycle of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Great article! I had no idea that there are five different types or elements of ox and that these five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, are in a cyclic pattern. It’s also interesting that each type of ox has different personality traits. For example, the metal ox is said to have no financial troubles and will have experience a comfortable retirement. Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic article, Carina! I think it’s so interesting that there are five elements associated with the Ox–I hadn’t heard of anything like that before! I also enjoyed reading that those born in the year of the Ox have defining characteristics, since it’s so common here to discuss our traditional astrological signs (Scorpio, Leo, Libra, Cancer, etc.) and their respective personality traits. I look forward to reading about the other zodiac signs!
This is a very interesting article. I never knew that there were different types of elements that goes with the Ox. I wonder if there is anything like this for the year of the dog.
Wow, what a great article! I love celebrating and learning about Lunar New Year. I actually never knew that there are five different types or elements of ox: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. I thought it was great that you included a description of several defining characteristics for those born in the year of the Ox, such as honesty, diligence, dependability, and strength. Thank you for sharing!
我祝愿各位牛年来到，福牛祝你鸿福齐天，万事如意；祥牛祝你财气冲天，好运无穷；吉牛祝你吉星高照，心想事成；灵牛祝你天天开心，福寿安康；朋友们祝你牛年如意，万事顺心！
What a cool article Carina! I’ve never even heard about the five cyclic elements of the Ox, so interesting! Even though I wasn’t born during a year of the ox, I found it super cool to learn about the defining traits of individuals born during these years. I’m curious to learn about the defining traits of those born during a year of the monkey like myself. Thanks for sharing!
Great article! I love Chinese new year and the celebrations every year, but I have yet to meet anybody born in the year of the ox. While I knew about the zodiacs, I didn’t know that they showed personality traits.
Nice job, Carina. Lunar New Year is an awesome time of the year. Although my family doesn’t celebrate it, I enjoy learning the interesting aspects of it. I always knew that each year is correlated with an animal, but now I know the story. I find the cyclical 12-year pattern of animals very interesting.
Learning the chinese zodiacs are very intresting. Its nice to see that customs are still apparent today.