Ox (zodiac)

The Ox (牛) is the second animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, which is tied to the Chinese calendar. It follows the Rat and comes before the Tiger. Each Ox year has its own special characteristics and meanings in Chinese culture.

The Year of the Ox is also shown by the Earthly Branch symbol chǒu (丑). There is a month and an hour each day connected to the Ox, from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. These connections make the Ox important in how some people understand time.

Ox years change based on another cycle called the Heavenly Stems. This creates a pattern where the Ox appears every twelve years, but each of those years also links to one of the Chinese wǔxíng, or "five elements": Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth. These elements add more meaning to each Ox year.

Etymology

The word we use for the animal in the Chinese zodiac, ox, comes from the Chinese word niú. This word means cows, bulls, or other types of cattle, like water buffalo.

The word "zodiac" comes from an ancient Greek term meaning "circle of little animals".

Zodiac

Main article: Chinese zodiac

The Ox (牛) is the second animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. This cycle repeats every 12 years and is linked to the Chinese calendar and similar calendars in East Asia. The Ox can be shown as cows or bulls.

Each Ox year is also linked to one of five elements: Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, or Earth. These elements repeat in a 60-year cycle.

The Year of the Ox comes after the Year of the Rat and before the Year of the Tiger. Unlike Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac does not connect its animals to stars. Instead, it uses a yearly cycle to show different traits and influences.

Mythological ox

Further information: Ox in Chinese mythology and Agriculture (Chinese mythology)

The ox is important in old Chinese stories. Many tales have oxen or creatures that look like oxen. Sometimes they are the main characters, and sometimes they help others. These stories often show oxen helping with farming, pulling carts, or being in special ceremonies.

One famous story is about a race to decide the order of animals in the twelve-year cycle. The Rat asked the strong and steady Ox for a ride. But near the end, the Rat jumped off and crossed the finish line just ahead, leaving the Ox in second place.

Years and the Five Elements

Further information: Sexagenary cycle

People born in certain years are part of the "Year of the Ox". These people share a special sign connected to natural elements.

Lunar Mansion

Further information: Twenty-Eight Mansions and Nakshatra

In old Chinese ways of studying the stars, people grouped the stars into special patterns. These groups are called the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Each night, the moon seems to move from one mansion to the next. The Year of the Ox, called Chǒu (丑), is connected to a spirit named the Black Warrior, or Xuánwǔ, and the stars of Beta Tauri.

Hour of the Ox

Further information: Traditional Chinese timekeeping

In Chinese tradition, the day and night are split into 12 parts called double-hours. Each part matches one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and has its own special meaning. The first double-hour is called the Hour of the Rat, from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The next one is the Hour of the Ox, which goes from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. This double-hour is named chǒu.

Basic astrology elements

Around the world

In the Vietnamese zodiac, the water buffalo is used instead of the Ox. In Nepal, the Tamu/Gurung people celebrate the year of the cow.