The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition, shared here for reflection, not as a prediction or a Buddhist teaching.
1973
Water Ox
牛 (niú) · Ox year 2 of 12
When the 1973 zodiac year began
In 1973, the Lunar New Year fell on Saturday, February 3, 1973. The year of the Water Ox ran from that day until January 22, 1974.
If you were born between January 1 and February 2, 1973, your animal is the Rat (Water Rat, the 1972 year). People born from February 3, 1973 onward belong to the Ox.
The Water Ox
In tradition, Water is linked with wisdom, flexibility and calm reflection. Each animal comes around every 12 years, and with the five elements the same combination returns every 60 years. The Ox is traditionally linked with being patient and dependable. Read more about the Ox in Chinese tradition.
A practice for the Ox
Give your steady heart some rest: end each day by noticing three good moments. Try the 5-minute gratitude meditation.
Not sure of your animal? Enter your full birth date in the zodiac animal finder.