1997 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Fire Ox
丁丑 · 牛 Niú
1997 is the Year of the Fire Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998, so anyone born in that span is a Fire Ox. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 7, 1997, and earlier births belong to the Fire Rat year.
- Ox
- Fire
- Yin
Born in 1997?
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.
1997 at a Glance
- Animal
- Ox 牛 niú
- Element
- Fire
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 丁丑 · sound element 涧下水
- Begins
- Friday, Feb 7, 1997
- Ends
- Jan 27, 1998
- Age in 2026
- 28 or 29
- Next Ox year
- 2009
The 1997 Fire Ox
Hong Kong’s return to China on July 1, 1997, fell in the middle of this Ox year. The year itself ran from Feb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998; anyone born before Feb 7, 1997 is a Fire Rat.
The year name 丁丑 shares 涧下水, “water in a mountain stream,” with 1996. 1997 Oxen turn 29 in 2026 and 30 in 2027, the Goat year opposite the Ox.
Born in January or Early February 1997?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1997 was on Friday, Feb 7, 1997, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 6, 1997 | Fire Rat | 丙子 |
| Feb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998 | Fire Ox | 丁丑 |
So someone born on Feb 6, 1997 is a Fire Rat, and someone born on Feb 7, 1997 is a Fire Ox. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Fire Ox?
A Fire Ox combines the Ox with the element of the birth year. 1997 ends in 7, which gives Fire. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Fire Ox years include 1937.
How Old Is a 1997 Ox, and When Is the Next Ox Year?
Someone born in 1997 turns 29 in 2026 and 30 in 2027. The last Ox year was 1985, and the next is 2009. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Ox years a 1997 Ox lives through:
- 1997Fire OxBornThis page
- 2009 Chinese zodiacEarth OxTurns 12
- 2021 Chinese zodiacMetal OxTurns 24
- 2033Water OxTurns 36
1997 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 1997 Ox in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Ox to the next two years, and how old a 1997 Ox will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 29. Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 30. Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1997, and the other years of the decade.
- 1995 Chinese zodiacWood PigJan 31, 1995 to Feb 18, 1996
- 1996 Chinese zodiacFire RatFeb 19, 1996 to Feb 6, 1997
- 1997Fire OxFeb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998
- 1998 Chinese zodiacEarth TigerJan 28, 1998 to Feb 15, 1999
- 1999 Chinese zodiacEarth RabbitFeb 16, 1999 to Feb 4, 2000
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1990 Chinese zodiac1991 Chinese zodiac1992 Chinese zodiac1993 Chinese zodiac1994 Chinese zodiac1995 Chinese zodiac1996 Chinese zodiac19971998 Chinese zodiac1999 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1997 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1997?
1997 is the Year of the Fire Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 7, 1997 to Jan 27, 1998.
What element is the 1997 Chinese zodiac?
Fire. A year's element follows its last digit: 7 gives Fire. The Ox's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1997?
Lunar New Year 1997 fell on Friday, Feb 7, 1997. Born from January 1 to Feb 6, 1997, you are a Fire Rat. From Feb 7, 1997, you are a Fire Ox.
How old is someone born in 1997?
In 2026 they turn 29, or are 28 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 30. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Ox year after 1997?
2009, the Year of the Earth Ox, begins on Jan 26, 2009.