Wood Ox Chinese Zodiac
木牛 mù niú
A Wood Ox (also called the Cow) was born in a Ox year ending in 4 or 5: 1925, 1985 and 2045. Wood loosens the steady Ox a little. The Wood Ox is said to keep its patience and work ethic while being more open to new ideas and to other people's plans, which makes it less rigid than the other Oxen.
- Wood
- Ox
- Yin
Wood Ox at a Glance
- Years
- 1925, 1985 and 2045
- Year element
- Wood 木 (years ending in 4 or 5)
- Ox's own element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year names
- 乙丑
- Next Wood Ox year
- 2045
The Wood Ox Listens Before It Plows on
Oxen have a reputation for doing things their own way. Tradition makes the Wood Ox the one most likely to hear out a new plan before deciding, while keeping the stamina every Ox is known for.
The Wood Oxen of 1985 are late Millennials who turn 41 in 2026. Their Ox year ran into early February 1986, so a few early-1986 birthdays belong here too. The next Wood Ox year is 2045.
Which Years Are Wood Ox Years?
The most recent Wood Ox year began on Feb 20, 1985 and ended on Feb 8, 1986; the next comes in 2045. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | Jan 24, 1925 | Feb 12, 1926 | 乙丑 | 海中金 | 100 or 101 |
| 1985 Chinese zodiac | Feb 20, 1985 | Feb 8, 1986 | 乙丑 | 海中金 | 40 or 41 |
| 2045 | 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.
Wood Ox Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Wood Ox
- Dependable
- Open-minded
- Cooperative
Challenges of the Wood Ox
- Overcommits
- Slow to say no
- Stubborn under pressure
Wood Ox in Love and at Work
In Love
Loyal and gentle, and more willing than most Oxen to talk things through.
At Work
Good as a steady builder who mentors others and sees a project through.
The Five Kinds of Ox
The Ox's own element is always Earth; the birth year adds the second. For the Wood Ox, Wood restrains Earth, so the year keeps the Ox in check.
| Type | Years | With the Ox's Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Ox | 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 Chinese zodiac | 1901, 1961, 2021, 2081 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Water Ox Chinese zodiac | 1913, 1973, 2033, 2093 | Earth restrains Water |
Wood 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 Wood Signs
All twelve animals have a Wood year. Each is a different mix.
- Wood Rat Chinese zodiac1924, 1984
- Wood Tiger Chinese zodiac1974, 2034
- Wood Rabbit Chinese zodiac1975, 2035
- Wood Dragon Chinese zodiac1964, 2024
- Wood Snake Chinese zodiac1965, 2025
- Wood Horse Chinese zodiac1954, 2014
- Wood Goat Chinese zodiac1955, 2015
- Wood Monkey Chinese zodiac1944, 2004
- Wood Rooster Chinese zodiac1945, 2005
- Wood Dog Chinese zodiac1934, 1994
- Wood Pig Chinese zodiac1935, 1995
Wood Ox Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Wood Ox?
A Wood Ox is someone born in a Ox year that ends in 4 or 5. Wood Ox years include 1925, 1985 and 2045. Tradition describes the Wood Ox as dependable, open-minded and cooperative.
What years are Wood Ox years?
1925, 1985 and 2045. The 1985 year ran from Feb 20, 1985 to Feb 8, 1986.
Is the Ox a Wood sign?
The Ox's own element is Earth, which never changes. Wood is the element of the birth year, so a Wood Ox carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Wood Ox?
The most recent Wood Ox years are 1925 and 1985. In 2026 someone born in 1985 turns 41.
When is the next Wood Ox year?
2045. Ox years return every 12 years and each element every 60.