Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Ox

The recent new moon of 11th / 2th February marked the start of the traditional Chinese New Year, and we are now entering the Year of the Ox. It is seen as an optimistic year, better than the one before.

Oxen are honest and earnest, low-key and hard-working. Given the turbulence over the past few years, it would be nice to think that these are the traits that shine through as the year unfolds, wouldn’t it?

In Western astrology, each year is divided into twelve signs, each with its own characteristics. In Chinese astrology, there are 12 signs, based on animals, each of which has a whole year. The animals have their own colours and characteristics too: here is a quick summary – your sign is based on your birth year:

Rat
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
lucky colours:         blue, gold, green
key characteristics:       quick-witted, resourceful, adaptable, charming, intelligent, gregarious

Ox
1925,1937,1949,1061, 1973, 1985 1997, 2009, 2021
lucky colours:    white, yellow, green
key characteristics:      reliable, reasonable, strong, determined, steady

Tiger
1926,1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1086, 1998, 2010, 2022
lucky colours:    blue, grey, orange
key characteristics:   confident, charismatic, enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious

Rabbit
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
lucky colours:    purple, blue, pink, red
key characteristics:   sociable, modest, empathic, trustworthy, sincere

Dragon
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
lucky colours:    silver, silver-grey, white, gold
key characteristics:  imaginative, eccentric, spiritual, flexible, charismatic, lucky

Snake
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
lucky colours:  red, black, yellow
key characteristics:     organised, intuitive, philosophical, intelligent, elegant, attentive

Horse
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
lucky colours:   green, yellow
key characteristics:     loyal, courageous, adventurous, intelligent, adaptable, strong

Goat
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
lucky colours:   red, brown, purple
key characteristics:    gentle, calm, sympathetic

Monkey
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
lucky colours:   gold, blue, white
key characteristics:    bright, quick-witted, lively, smart, lucky

Rooster
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
lucky colours:       brown, gold, yellow
key characteristics:       flamboyant, confident, flexible, honest, energetic

Dog
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
lucky colours:     red, purple, green
key characteristics:       loyal, smart, adaptable, courageous, lively, sociable

Pig
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
lucky colours:        grey, brown, yellow, gold
key characteristics:          compassionate, diligent, generous, intelligent