1985 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Wood Ox
乙丑 · 牛 Niú
1985 is the Year of the Wood Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 20, 1985 to Feb 8, 1986, so anyone born in that span is a Wood Ox. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 20, 1985, and earlier births belong to the Wood Rat year.
- Ox
- Wood
- Yin
Born in 1985?
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.
1985 at a Glance
- Animal
- Ox 牛 niú
- Element
- Wood
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 乙丑 · sound element 海中金
- Begins
- Wednesday, Feb 20, 1985
- Ends
- Feb 8, 1986
- Age in 2026
- 40 or 41
- Next Ox year
- 1997
1985 Wood Ox: The Latest Possible New Year
Lunar New Year 1985 fell on Feb 20, 1985, as late as the date ever comes. Every birthday from January 1 to Feb 19, 1985 belongs to the Wood Rat year, so a big share of people who think they are 1985 Oxen are really Rats.
In the Great Race legend that sets the order of the animals, the Ox carried the Rat across the river, and the Rat jumped off at the last moment to finish first. The Ox came second, steady as ever. 1985 Oxen turn 41 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1985?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1985 was on Wednesday, Feb 20, 1985, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 19, 1985 | Wood Rat | 甲子 |
| Feb 20, 1985 to Feb 8, 1986 | Wood Ox | 乙丑 |
So someone born on Feb 19, 1985 is a Wood Rat, and someone born on Feb 20, 1985 is a Wood Ox. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Wood Ox?
A Wood Ox combines the Ox with the element of the birth year. 1985 ends in 5, which gives Wood. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Wood Ox years include 1925.
How Old Is a 1985 Ox, and When Is the Next Ox Year?
Someone born in 1985 turns 41 in 2026 and 42 in 2027. The last Ox year was 1973, and the next is 1997. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Ox years a 1985 Ox lives through:
- 1985Wood OxBornThis page
- 1997 Chinese zodiacFire OxTurns 12
- 2009 Chinese zodiacEarth OxTurns 24
- 2021 Chinese zodiacMetal OxTurns 36
- 2033Water OxTurns 48
1985 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 1985 Ox in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Ox to the next two years, and how old a 1985 Ox will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 41. Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 42. Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1985, and the other years of the decade.
- 1983 Chinese zodiacWater PigFeb 13, 1983 to Feb 1, 1984
- 1984 Chinese zodiacWood RatFeb 2, 1984 to Feb 19, 1985
- 1985Wood OxFeb 20, 1985 to Feb 8, 1986
- 1986 Chinese zodiacFire TigerFeb 9, 1986 to Jan 28, 1987
- 1987 Chinese zodiacFire RabbitJan 29, 1987 to Feb 16, 1988
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1980 Chinese zodiac1981 Chinese zodiac1982 Chinese zodiac1983 Chinese zodiac1984 Chinese zodiac19851986 Chinese zodiac1987 Chinese zodiac1988 Chinese zodiac1989 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1985 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1985?
1985 is the Year of the Wood Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 20, 1985 to Feb 8, 1986.
What element is the 1985 Chinese zodiac?
Wood. A year's element follows its last digit: 5 gives Wood. The Ox's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1985?
Lunar New Year 1985 fell on Wednesday, Feb 20, 1985. Born from January 1 to Feb 19, 1985, you are a Wood Rat. From Feb 20, 1985, you are a Wood Ox.
How old is someone born in 1985?
In 2026 they turn 41, or are 40 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 42. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Ox year after 1985?
1997, the Year of the Fire Ox, begins on Feb 7, 1997.