Earth Ox Chinese Zodiac
土牛 tǔ niú
An Earth Ox (also called the Cow) was born in a Ox year ending in 8 or 9: 1949, 2009 and 2069. Earth is the Ox's own element, so the Earth Ox is the Ox doubled. It is described as the most dependable of all, immovable once it has decided and deeply loyal.
- Earth
- Ox
- Yin
Earth Ox at a Glance
- Years
- 1949, 2009 and 2069
- Year element
- Earth 土 (years ending in 8 or 9)
- Ox's own element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year names
- 己丑
- Next Earth Ox year
- 2069
The Earth Ox, the Most Dependable Sign
Earth is the Ox’s own element. Tradition calls the Earth Ox the steadiest of all: once it has decided, it will not move, and it finishes every job it starts.
The 1949 Earth Oxen are Boomers turning 77 in 2026. The 2009 Earth Oxen are Gen Z and turn 17.
Which Years Are Earth Ox Years?
The most recent Earth Ox year began on Jan 26, 2009 and ended on Feb 13, 2010; the next comes in 2069. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 Chinese zodiac | Jan 29, 1949 | Feb 16, 1950 | 己丑 | 霹雳火 | 76 or 77 |
| 2009 Chinese zodiac | Jan 26, 2009 | Feb 13, 2010 | 己丑 | 霹雳火 | 16 or 17 |
| 2069 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Earth Ox Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Earth Ox
- Dependable
- Patient
- Loyal
Challenges of the Earth Ox
- Stubborn
- Resists change
- Slow to forgive
Earth Ox in Love and at Work
In Love
Devoted and steady, and shows love through reliability.
At Work
Excels as a builder, manager or craftsperson who finishes what it starts.
The Five Kinds of Ox
The Ox's own element is always Earth; the birth year adds the second. For the Earth Ox, the year element is the Ox's own Earth, so it is doubled.
| Type | Years | With the Ox's Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Ox Chinese zodiac | 1925, 1985, 2045 | Wood restrains Earth |
| Fire Ox Chinese zodiac | 1937, 1997, 2057 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Earth Ox | 1949, 2009, 2069 | Doubled |
| Metal Ox Chinese zodiac | 1901, 1961, 2021, 2081 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Water Ox Chinese zodiac | 1913, 1973, 2033, 2093 | Earth restrains Water |
Earth Ox Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Snake, Rooster and Rat for the Ox, and the Goat is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Link to the Horse: Harm (害太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Link to the Goat: Clash (冲太岁), Punishment (刑太岁).
Other Earth Signs
All twelve animals have a Earth year. Each is a different mix.
- Earth Rat Chinese zodiac1948, 2008
- Earth Tiger Chinese zodiac1938, 1998
- Earth Rabbit Chinese zodiac1939, 1999
- Earth Dragon Chinese zodiac1928, 1988
- Earth Snake Chinese zodiac1929, 1989
- Earth Horse Chinese zodiac1918, 1978
- Earth Goat Chinese zodiac1919, 1979
- Earth Monkey Chinese zodiac1968, 2028
- Earth Rooster Chinese zodiac1969, 2029
- Earth Dog Chinese zodiac1958, 2018
- Earth Pig Chinese zodiac1959, 2019
Earth Ox Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is an Earth Ox?
An Earth Ox is someone born in a Ox year that ends in 8 or 9. Earth Ox years include 1949, 2009 and 2069. Tradition describes the Earth Ox as dependable, patient and loyal.
What years are Earth Ox years?
1949, 2009 and 2069. The 2009 year ran from Jan 26, 2009 to Feb 13, 2010.
Is the Ox really a Earth sign?
The Ox's own element is Earth, so Earth Oxs are the Ox doubled: the sign's nature and the year's element agree.
How old is a Earth Ox?
The most recent Earth Ox years are 1949 and 2009. In 2026 someone born in 2009 turns 17.
When is the next Earth Ox year?
2069. Ox years return every 12 years and each element every 60.