Rat and Ox Compatibility
鼠 + 牛
The Rat and the Ox (also called the Cow) score 85 out of 100, an excellent match. The Rat and the Ox are Secret Friends, one of six traditional best-match pairs. Tradition says each brings out the best in the other.
- Excellent
- Secret Friend
Rat and Ox at a Glance
- Score
- 85 / 100
- Match
- Excellent
- Rule
- Secret Friend
- Own elements
- Water and Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yang and Yin
- Recent Rat years
- 1996, 2008, 2020
- Recent Ox years
- 1997, 2009, 2021
How Well Do the Rat and the Ox Match?
Tradition sees a natural fit.
The Rat and the Ox are Secret Friends, one of the six traditional best-match pairs. The Rat is quick and resourceful and the Ox is steady and dependable, so each supplies what the other lacks.
Why the Rat and Ox Match
The score comes from the traditional rules between the two signs. Each rule that applies adds or takes away points from a starting score of 60.
The Rules
- Secret Friend 六合 +25The Rat and the Ox are Secret Friends, one of six traditional best-match pairs. Tradition says each brings out the best in the other.
The Elements
- Own elementsThe Rat's own element is Water and the Ox's is Earth. In the five-element cycle Earth controls Water, which tradition reads as a test of balance. This site scores only the animal rules and treats elements as extra color.
Rat and Ox in Love, Friendship and Work
In Love
A loyal, practical match. The Rat plans and the Ox follows through, and both take commitment seriously. The Ox can find the Rat too restless, and the Rat can find the Ox too fixed, but they tend to settle it by building a home together.
In Friendship
A friendship that lasts. The Ox is the one the Rat calls in a crisis, and the Rat is the one who gets the Ox to try something new.
At Work
One of the strongest work pairings: the Rat finds the opening and the Ox does the long, careful work behind it. Credit should be shared, since the Ox rarely asks for it.
Tips for a Rat and Ox Pair
- Rat, respect the Ox's pace on big decisions.
- Ox, hear out a new idea before saying no.
- Share the planning and the follow-through.
More Rat and Ox Pairings
Other Rat Pairings
Rat and Ox Compatibility FAQ
Are the Rat and the Ox compatible?
The Rat and the Ox score 85 out of 100, which is an excellent match. The Rat and the Ox are Secret Friends, one of six traditional best-match pairs. Tradition says each brings out the best in the other.
Can a Rat and a Ox be a good couple?
Tradition sees a natural fit. A loyal, practical match. The Rat plans and the Ox follows through, and both take commitment seriously. The Ox can find the Rat too restless, and the Rat can find the Ox too fixed, but they tend to settle it by building a home together.
Are the Rat and the Ox good friends or colleagues?
A friendship that lasts. The Ox is the one the Rat calls in a crisis, and the Rat is the one who gets the Ox to try something new. One of the strongest work pairings: the Rat finds the opening and the Ox does the long, careful work behind it. Credit should be shared, since the Ox rarely asks for it.
What is the best match for the Rat?
See the full list on the Rat compatibility page: every pairing is ranked with its rule.
How is Rat and Ox compatibility scored?
Every pair starts at 60 and each traditional rule that applies adds or removes points. Here: secret friend +25.