1961 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Metal Ox
辛丑 · 牛 Niú
1961 is the Year of the Metal Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 15, 1961 to Feb 4, 1962, so anyone born in that span is a Metal Ox. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 15, 1961, and earlier births belong to the Metal Rat year.
- Ox
- Metal
- Yin
Born in 1961?
Enter your birth date to check, down to the exact Lunar New Year.
Month and day are optional. Add them if you were born in January or February. See January and February Chinese zodiac.
1961 at a Glance
- Animal
- Ox 牛 niú
- Element
- Metal
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 辛丑 · sound element 壁上土
- Begins
- Wednesday, Feb 15, 1961
- Ends
- Feb 4, 1962
- Age in 2026
- 64 or 65
- Next Ox year
- 1973
1961 Metal Ox and the Spring Ox
In old China the start of spring was marked by “whipping the spring ox” (打春牛), striking a clay ox to wake the fields for plowing. The Ox has stood for steady farm work ever since.
Lunar New Year 1961 came late, on Feb 15, 1961, so every birthday from January 1 to Feb 14, 1961 is a Metal Rat. 1961 Oxen turn 65 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1961?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1961 was on Wednesday, Feb 15, 1961, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 14, 1961 | Metal Rat | 庚子 |
| Feb 15, 1961 to Feb 4, 1962 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 |
So someone born on Feb 14, 1961 is a Metal Rat, and someone born on Feb 15, 1961 is a Metal Ox. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Metal Ox?
A Metal Ox combines the Ox with the element of the birth year. 1961 ends in 1, which gives Metal. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Metal Ox years include 1901 and 2021.
How Old Is a 1961 Ox, and When Is the Next Ox Year?
Someone born in 1961 turns 65 in 2026 and 66 in 2027. The last Ox year was 1949, and the next is 1973. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Ox years a 1961 Ox lives through:
- 1961Metal OxBornThis page
- 1973 Chinese zodiacWater OxTurns 12
- 1985 Chinese zodiacWood OxTurns 24
- 1997 Chinese zodiacFire OxTurns 36
- 2009 Chinese zodiacEarth OxTurns 48
- 2021 Chinese zodiacMetal OxTurns 60 · full cycle (花甲)
- 2033Water OxTurns 72
1961 Ox Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Ox's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1961 Ox in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Ox to the next two years, and how old a 1961 Ox will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 65. Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 66. Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1961, and the other years of the decade.
- 1959 Chinese zodiacEarth PigFeb 8, 1959 to Jan 27, 1960
- 1960 Chinese zodiacMetal RatJan 28, 1960 to Feb 14, 1961
- 1961Metal OxFeb 15, 1961 to Feb 4, 1962
- 1962 Chinese zodiacWater TigerFeb 5, 1962 to Jan 24, 1963
- 1963 Chinese zodiacWater RabbitJan 25, 1963 to Feb 12, 1964
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1960 Chinese zodiac19611962 Chinese zodiac1963 Chinese zodiac1964 Chinese zodiac1965 Chinese zodiac1966 Chinese zodiac1967 Chinese zodiac1968 Chinese zodiac1969 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1961 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1961?
1961 is the Year of the Metal Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 15, 1961 to Feb 4, 1962.
What element is the 1961 Chinese zodiac?
Metal. A year's element follows its last digit: 1 gives Metal. The Ox's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1961?
Lunar New Year 1961 fell on Wednesday, Feb 15, 1961. Born from January 1 to Feb 14, 1961, you are a Metal Rat. From Feb 15, 1961, you are a Metal Ox.
How old is someone born in 1961?
In 2026 they turn 65, or are 64 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 66. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Ox year after 1961?
1973, the Year of the Water Ox, begins on Feb 3, 1973.