Wood Ox (乙丑): personality and meaning in the Chinese zodiac
The Wood Ox, 乙丑, brings wood's flexibility to the Ox's strength. The tradition reads it as cooperative, principled and more open to new ways than other Oxen.
Heavenly stem and earthly branch: 乙丑
Years: 1925, 1985
Character
乙丑 sets 乙, yin wood, the vine and the young grass, over 丑, the Ox's yin earth. Wood draws on earth, and the tradition reads this pair as green shoots on winter ground: life pushing patiently through a hard surface.
Those born in a Wood Ox year are read as steady and dependable like every Ox, with an extra measure of tact, kindness and willingness to work with others. They hold strong principles and are fair in applying them. The tradition's shadow for the Wood Ox is a strain between its gentle side and its stubborn one — agreeing outwardly while resisting inwardly — and a habit of shouldering a team's burdens without saying so.
In love and at work
In love the Wood Ox is read as faithful, considerate and protective, happiest in a calm, shared routine. At work it is a reliable colleague and fair leader, suited to education, agriculture, public service and any team effort. The tradition suggests the Wood Ox say plainly when it disagrees.
A question to take with you
Where are you agreeing on the outside while disagreeing on the inside — and what would happen if you said so?
Updated October 28, 2026