The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition, shared here for reflection, not as a prediction or a Buddhist teaching.
2009
Earth Ox
牛 (niú) · Ox year 2 of 12
When the 2009 zodiac year began
In 2009, the Lunar New Year fell on Monday, January 26, 2009. The year of the Earth Ox ran from that day until February 13, 2010.
If you were born between January 1 and January 25, 2009, your animal is the Rat (Earth Rat, the 2008 year). People born from January 26, 2009 onward belong to the Ox.
The Earth Ox
In tradition, Earth is linked with steadiness, patience and reliability. 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.