2021 – the Year of the Ox

Renee Lehman & Jefferson Breland

(1/2021) The Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year or Chinese Spring Festival), one of the traditional Chinese festivals, is the grandest and most important festival for Chinese people. It originated during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th - 11th century BC), and it is an important time for families to get together, similar to Christmas Day for Westerners. It is also a time to hope for the return of spring, to welcome prosperity, wealth, and longevity, and a time to remove any negative qi (pronounced "chee") from the past. There is even a tradition prior to the New Year for every family to thoroughly clean the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes of making way for good incoming luck.

Chinese calendar history

The Chinese calendar was originated by the Yellow Emperor Huang Ti, and has been in use for centuries. The Chinese calendar is called a lunar calendar but is really a calendar based on the moon and the sun. The Gregorian calendar, which the world uses today (originated 430 years ago) is a solar calendar. (The Chinese Lunar New Year always begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, in case you were wondering why it’s on a different date every year.)

The twelve animals of the Chinese calendar

The Chinese calendar is made of five, twelve-year cycles. Each of the twelve years of the Chinese calendar is appointed one of the following 12 animal’s names (in this order): rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon (the only mythological animal), snake, horse, goat/sheep, monkey, fowl/rooster, dog, and pig. The animal that rules the year of your birth is said to exercise a major influence over your life, and that year in general. Much of the information used for this article is taken from The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora and Laura Lau, 2007.

The sign of the Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac, and the animal related to this coming New Year. The stabile, faithful, and charitable personality of the Ox can be a calming presence. February 12, 2021 through January 31, 2022 is the Year of the Ox.

In February, the year of the Rat will come to a close. In the following story (written by Lau & Lau) we learn how the Rat might have become the first animal sign of the Chinese zodiac and the Ox became the second animal sign through its helpful and humble nature.

Lord Buddha gave out the summons for all animals to come to him before he departed the Earth. He entrusted the Rat with the mission to get the word around. It is possible that the Rooster was also chosen to announce the same message. The Rooster worked days while the Rat worked during the night. One can imagine the Rat rushing about with the good news. However, being the resourceful and practical animal that it is, the Rat decided to save energy by asking for a ride from other animals (since it was tired from running about declaring the message from Lord Buddha). The Rat tried to get a free ride from the Horse, but the temperamental Horse would have none of it. The Rat then approached the sturdy and kind-hearted Ox who was happy to carry the little Rat on its back. Furthermore, the dutiful Ox was early for the appointment and therefore the first animal to arrive on the scene. But, when the Lord Buddha said he was going to honor the Ox by naming it the first sign of the zodiac, the Rat jumped down from the Ox’s back and claimed that privilege. The Ox did not oppose the Rat as it felt the Rat had done more than its fair share by bringing the news to all of the animals. So the Buddha conferred the esteemed first place and leadership of the zodiac to the crafty Rat and the Ox was awarded second place.

I AM THE OX

Mine is the stabilizing force
that perpetuates the cycle of life.

I stand immobile against the test of adversity,
resolute, and unimpeachable.

I seek to serve integrity,
to bear the burdens of righteousness.

I abide by the laws nature
patiently pushing the wheel of Fate.

Thus, I shall weave my destiny.

Ox Personality

If you were born in one of the following years, your sign is the Ox January 25, 1925 – February 12, 1926; February 11, 1937 - January 30, 1938; January 29, 1949 – February 16, 1950; February 15, 1961 - February 4, 1962; February 3, 1973 – January 22, 1974; February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986; February 7, 1997 – January 27, 1998; and January 26, 2009 – February 13, 2010.

A person born in the year of the Ox is noted for their perseverance and strength. The Ox symbolizes the attainment of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Patient and tireless workers who stick to routines and established ways of doing things, Ox are honest, fair-minded, and good listeners; though, it is difficult to persuade them to change their views as they are stubborn and often have strong prejudices.

Because of their steady and reliable character, Ox will be awarded positions of authority and trust. They will not fall short when duty calls. As a matter of fact, Ox should be careful not to get totally wrapped up in their responsibilities. They do not seek attention and public opinion means little. The Ox will put their whole heart into whatever they are doing. The Ox will always be an asset to their business and family.

Oxen are systems-oriented, preferring fixed patterns and traditional ways of doing things. In fact, Ox people tend to do exactly what is expected of them and are so predictable that they may be unfairly criticized for a lack of imagination. The dutiful Ox knows that only by doing things in their proper order will they achieve lasting success. With a focused mind, the Ox moves through life without depending on others or luck to succeed. The Ox triumphs through tenacity and dedication. Ox people are true to their word and keep promises.

Beneath the Ox’s somewhat modest and neat appearance is a resolute and logical mind. Their intelligence and dexterity are masked by a reticent and undemonstrative front. Yet, in spite of being basically an introvert, their forceful nature can manifest as a commanding and eloquent speaker when the occasion demands.

In times of turmoil Ox’s presence of mind, refusal to be intimidated and innate self-confidence will enable order to be restored. The Ox walks with their head held high.

Ox is generally known to hold onto grievances too long. They remember injuries or sleights with their substantial memory. It is difficult for them to let go of grudges and sometimes they magnify perceived insults. Ox would be better off if they could lighten up and not take life so seriously and not be so sensitive, especially with issues of pride. Ox will always pay their debts to the penny. Due to their great sense of responsibility, Ox make every effort to express gratitude in tangible and meaningful ways. Their matter-of-factness manner can lead to the impression that they are not romantic as they eschew prosaic language as beneath their dignity.

If pushed past their extraordinary patience, Ox will lose their temper and it is best to stay out of their way until the heat of the moment passes. Usually though, Ox will hide their suffering and bear the burdens of life quietly.

Famous People born in the Year of the Ox

• George Clooney, actor,
• President Gerald Ford,
• Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer,
• Vincent van Gogh, artist,
• Bruno Mars, singer,
• Napoleon Bonaparte, French emperor,
• Margaret Thatcher, British politician,
• President Barack Obama,
• Walt Disney, entrepreneur,
• Carly Rae Jepsen, singer,
• Gore Vidal, writer,
• Meryl Streep, actor,
• Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer player,
• Johann Sebastian Bach, composer,
• Robert Redford, actor,
• Paloma Picasso, designer, and
• Charlie Chaplin, actor

General Predictions for the Year of the Ox

This will be a good year for the Ox and many things may not come easily. There will be additional work and long days to tie up loose ends by the end of the year. Trust that Ox’s patience, honesty, solid work-ethic, and intelligence will carry the day and all will be well.

Quotes to Live by in the Year of the Ox

"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work,
o most people don’t recognize them." ~ Ann Landers

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect
before which difficulties and obstacles vanish." ~ John Quincy Adams

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist, physical therapist, with over 33 years of health care experience. She can be reached at 717-752-5728. Jefferson Breland is a board-certified acupuncturist, he can be reached at 410-336-5876. Their office in Gettysburg is located at 249B York Street.

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