2009 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Earth Ox

2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox — a Yin Earth year. The animal sign is the Ox, the second of the 12-animal cycle.

2009 carries the Earth element (Yin Earth). Element is set by the year's heavenly stem and cycles every 10 years, so the full Earth Ox combination returns only once every 60 years.

Those born in 2009, the Year of the Ox, are traditionally described as diligent, dependable, and strong-willed. With the Earth element added, stability, patience, and practicality are emphasised.

The Ox is traditionally most compatible with the Snake, Rooster, Rat.

Almost — but the Chinese zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year (late January or early February), not January 1. So someone born in early 2009, before that year's Chinese New Year, is actually a Rat (the 2008 sign). If your birthday is in late January or early February, enter your full date of birth in the Age Calculator to confirm your exact sign.