2021 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Metal Ox
辛丑 · 牛 Niú
2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 12, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022, so anyone born in that span is a Metal Ox. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 12, 2021, and earlier births belong to the Metal Rat year.
- Ox
- Metal
- Yin
Born in 2021?
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.
2021 at a Glance
- Animal
- Ox 牛 niú
- Element
- Metal
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 辛丑 · sound element 壁上土
- Begins
- Friday, Feb 12, 2021
- Ends
- Jan 31, 2022
- Age in 2026
- 4 or 5
- Next Ox year
- 2033
The 2021 Metal Ox
Lunar New Year 2021 came on Feb 12, 2021, so a child born in January or before mid-February 2021 is a Metal Rat, not an Ox. Many birthday cards for 2021 babies get this wrong.
The year ended on Jan 31, 2022. 2021 Oxen turn 5 in 2026, and their first own sign year comes in 2033, when they turn 12.
Born in January or Early February 2021?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 2021 was on Friday, Feb 12, 2021, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 11, 2021 | Metal Rat | 庚子 |
| Feb 12, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 |
So someone born on Feb 11, 2021 is a Metal Rat, and someone born on Feb 12, 2021 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. 2021 ends in 1, which gives Metal. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Metal Ox years include 1901 and 1961.
How Old Is a 2021 Ox, and When Is the Next Ox Year?
Someone born in 2021 turns 5 in 2026 and 6 in 2027. The last Ox year was 2009, and the next is 2033. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Ox years a 2021 Ox lives through:
- 2021Metal OxBornThis page
- 2033Water OxTurns 12
2021 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 2021 Ox in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Ox to the next two years, and how old a 2021 Ox will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 5. Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 6. Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 2021, and the other years of the decade.
- 2019 Chinese zodiacEarth PigFeb 5, 2019 to Jan 24, 2020
- 2020 Chinese zodiacMetal RatJan 25, 2020 to Feb 11, 2021
- 2021Metal OxFeb 12, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022
- 2022 Chinese zodiacWater TigerFeb 1, 2022 to Jan 21, 2023
- 2023 Chinese zodiacWater RabbitJan 22, 2023 to Feb 9, 2024
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
2020 Chinese zodiac20212022 Chinese zodiac2023 Chinese zodiac2024 Chinese zodiac2025 Chinese zodiac2026 Chinese zodiac2028 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
2021 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 2021?
2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox (also called the Cow). The Chinese year ran from Feb 12, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022.
What element is the 2021 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 2021?
Lunar New Year 2021 fell on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Born from January 1 to Feb 11, 2021, you are a Metal Rat. From Feb 12, 2021, you are a Metal Ox.
How old is someone born in 2021?
In 2026 they turn 5, or are 4 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 6. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Ox year after 2021?
2033, the Year of the Water Ox, begins on Jan 31, 2033.