Metal Ox Chinese Zodiac
金牛 jīn niú
A Metal Ox (also called the Cow) was born in a Ox year ending in 0 or 1: 1901, 1961, 2021 and 2081. Metal hardens the steady Ox. The Metal Ox is described as disciplined and uncompromising, a worker with great stamina and strong principles.
- Metal
- Ox
- Yin
Metal Ox at a Glance
- Years
- 1901, 1961, 2021 and 2081
- Year element
- Metal 金 (years ending in 0 or 1)
- Ox's own element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year names
- 辛丑
- Next Metal Ox year
- 2081
The Metal Ox, Discipline Itself
An Ox already works hard. Tradition gives the Metal Ox the most stamina and the firmest principles of the five, and the least patience for shortcuts.
The 1961 Metal Oxen are Boomers turning 65 in 2026. The 2021 Metal Oxen, Gen Alpha, turn 5.
Which Years Are Metal Ox Years?
The most recent Metal Ox year began on Feb 12, 2021 and ended on Jan 31, 2022; the next comes in 2081. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | Feb 19, 1901 | Feb 7, 1902 | 辛丑 | 壁上土 | 124 or 125 |
| 1961 Chinese zodiac | Feb 15, 1961 | Feb 4, 1962 | 辛丑 | 壁上土 | 64 or 65 |
| 2021 Chinese zodiac | Feb 12, 2021 | Jan 31, 2022 | 辛丑 | 壁上土 | 4 or 5 |
| 2081 | 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.
Metal Ox Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Metal Ox
- Disciplined
- Principled
- Enduring
Challenges of the Metal Ox
- Inflexible
- Blunt
- Isolated
Metal Ox in Love and at Work
In Love
Faithful and serious, and slow to show feeling.
At Work
Suited to engineering, the military, law and any field that rewards rigor.
The Five Kinds of Ox
The Ox's own element is always Earth; the birth year adds the second. For the Metal Ox, Earth feeds Metal, so the Ox gives out energy to the year.
| 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 Chinese zodiac | 1949, 2009, 2069 | Doubled |
| Metal Ox | 1901, 1961, 2021, 2081 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Water Ox Chinese zodiac | 1913, 1973, 2033, 2093 | Earth restrains Water |
Metal 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 Metal Signs
All twelve animals have a Metal year. Each is a different mix.
- Metal Rat Chinese zodiac1960, 2020
- Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac1950, 2010
- Metal Rabbit Chinese zodiac1951, 2011
- Metal Dragon Chinese zodiac1940, 2000
- Metal Snake Chinese zodiac1941, 2001
- Metal Horse Chinese zodiac1930, 1990
- Metal Goat Chinese zodiac1931, 1991
- Metal Monkey Chinese zodiac1920, 1980
- Metal Rooster Chinese zodiac1921, 1981
- Metal Dog Chinese zodiac1970, 2030
- Metal Pig Chinese zodiac1971, 2031
Metal Ox Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Metal Ox?
A Metal Ox is someone born in a Ox year that ends in 0 or 1. Metal Ox years include 1901, 1961, 2021 and 2081. Tradition describes the Metal Ox as disciplined, principled and enduring.
What years are Metal Ox years?
1901, 1961, 2021 and 2081. The 2021 year ran from Feb 12, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022.
Is the Ox a Metal sign?
The Ox's own element is Earth, which never changes. Metal is the element of the birth year, so a Metal Ox carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Metal Ox?
The most recent Metal Ox years are 1961 and 2021. In 2026 someone born in 2021 turns 5.
When is the next Metal Ox year?
2081. Ox years return every 12 years and each element every 60.