1973 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Ox
癸丑 · 牛 Niú
1973 is the Year of the Water Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974, so anyone born in that span is a Water Ox. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 3, 1973, and earlier births belong to the Water Rat year.
- Ox
- Water
- Yin
Born in 1973?
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.
1973 at a Glance
- Animal
- Ox 牛 niú
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 癸丑 · sound element 桑柘木
- Begins
- Saturday, Feb 3, 1973
- Ends
- Jan 22, 1974
- Age in 2026
- 52 or 53
- Next Ox year
- 1985
1973 Water Ox
Chinese legend says the sage Laozi left China riding an ox, heading west through the mountain pass, a scene painted again and again. The Ox in tradition is patient and dependable.
The 1973 year ran from Feb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974. Anyone born before Feb 3, 1973 is a Water Rat, and a few January 1974 birthdays are still Water Oxen. 1973 Oxen turn 53 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1973?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1973 was on Saturday, Feb 3, 1973, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 2, 1973 | Water Rat | 壬子 |
| Feb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974 | Water Ox | 癸丑 |
So someone born on Feb 2, 1973 is a Water Rat, and someone born on Feb 3, 1973 is a Water Ox. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Ox?
A Water Ox combines the Ox with the element of the birth year. 1973 ends in 3, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Ox years include 1913 and 2033.
How Old Is a 1973 Ox, and When Is the Next Ox Year?
Someone born in 1973 turns 53 in 2026 and 54 in 2027. The last Ox year was 1961, and the next is 1985. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Ox years a 1973 Ox lives through:
- 1973Water OxBornThis page
- 1985 Chinese zodiacWood OxTurns 12
- 1997 Chinese zodiacFire OxTurns 24
- 2009 Chinese zodiacEarth OxTurns 36
- 2021 Chinese zodiacMetal OxTurns 48
- 2033Water OxTurns 60 · full cycle (花甲)
1973 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 1973 Ox in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Ox to the next two years, and how old a 1973 Ox will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 53. Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 54. Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1973, and the other years of the decade.
- 1971 Chinese zodiacMetal PigJan 27, 1971 to Feb 14, 1972
- 1972 Chinese zodiacWater RatFeb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973
- 1973Water OxFeb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974
- 1974 Chinese zodiacWood TigerJan 23, 1974 to Feb 10, 1975
- 1975 Chinese zodiacWood RabbitFeb 11, 1975 to Jan 30, 1976
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1970 Chinese zodiac1971 Chinese zodiac1972 Chinese zodiac19731974 Chinese zodiac1975 Chinese zodiac1976 Chinese zodiac1977 Chinese zodiac1978 Chinese zodiac1979 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1973 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1973?
1973 is the Year of the Water Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974.
What element is the 1973 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 3 gives Water. The Ox's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1973?
Lunar New Year 1973 fell on Saturday, Feb 3, 1973. Born from January 1 to Feb 2, 1973, you are a Water Rat. From Feb 3, 1973, you are a Water Ox.
How old is someone born in 1973?
In 2026 they turn 53, or are 52 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 54. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Ox year after 1973?
1985, the Year of the Wood Ox, begins on Feb 20, 1985.