The Ox: A Water Sign

The Ox sign is of the Water element. Generally, the Water element indicates the potential for a powerful communicator and someone who is able to skillfully manipulate people into seeing a particular point of view. Those born under the Water element are observant and very quick to take advantage of opportunities and harness resources to fulfill their aims. They are also versatile and adaptable, embodying the very nature of Water, which is fluidity.

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The Metal Ox – 1901, 1961

Metal Oxen are indefatigable. Tough as steel nails, these Oxen are the most hardworking of all the Oxen. They are also extremely determined to achieve their objectives and can give new meaning to the word “bull-doze”.

Socially, the Metal Ox is quiet and may not be demonstrative to his loved ones but he is highly responsible and will look after his family well. Integrity is important to the Metal Ox who will pull out all stops to make sure he fulfills his promises and commitments – you would do very well to have an Ox as a partner and friend.

Work wise, the Metal Ox does not work well in a team as he is quite inflexible and rigid. He does not accept differences of opinion well and can give an air of superiority. However, he does have a relentless drive and unceasing energy that will see through any goal. The obstinacy of his Ox characteristic can be harnessed to achieve great things in this instance. Once he’s set his mind to something, it will be extremely difficult to discourage or distract him from accomplishing it to its fullest. He will earn people’s grudging respect for that.

Life Lessons:

The Metal Ox should be more accommodating of people’s opinions in order to function better in a team. At least, he could consider other possibilities than those in his rather fixated mind.

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The Water Ox – 1913, 1973

Water lends the solid Ox a sense of much needed flexibility and the Water Ox is the most easy-going of all the Oxen. If you explain things logically to the Water Ox, he is willing to change his mind and incorporate changes in order to achieve his goals.

The Water Ox may not be too open to anything too avant-garde though, so present alternatives in as conventional a manner as possible. The determined Water Ox’s systematic and logical approach combined with a willingness to listen to others will stand him in good stead to rise to great heights. Like the steady flow of water, the Water Ox also has a strong propensity for hard work and will be reliable, diligent and responsible in his tasks.

Socially, the Water Ox is also more popular as he is more amenable to people’s different points of views. Since the native sign of the Ox is already that of water, the double water element will bestow on him an great amount of patience which will see through many things – both at work and in relationships. With this resilience, he is very capable of managing both the commitments of his own life as well as to tackle obstacles that arise in a calm and unobtrusive way.

Life Lessons:

Water Oxen are patient creatures and focused on goals. However, it would be good for them to not wait too long before acting. If the Water Ox manages to leverage on his good relationships with people, it will bring him the support he needs to succeed.

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The Wood Ox – 1925, 1985

The Wood Ox is very principled yet is the least obstinate of the Oxen. He is also the most accepting of change. He is open to consider others’ ideas and suggestions and unlike his stubborn brethren, the Wood Ox is happy to go along with what everyone else thinks. Also, while he is quite conservative, he is much more open to new ideas than his Ox brothers.

He is also empathetic and gets on well with people. As a result, people look up to and are fond of the Wood Ox – for his moral discipline as well as his respect for others. He is able to create and maintain good relationships in all aspects of his life. With the combination of both flexibility and the ability to cooperate well with others, the Wood Ox has a tremendous potential to excel, especially in the workplace. However, while he is honest and direct, sometimes he is too blunt for comfort.

Life Lessons:

The Wood Ox should work to achieve the potential success that he is capable of. While he has good people skills, he would find more success in his endeavours if he improved his communication skills – he could learn to be a little more sensitive to the feelings of others and try not to be too frank in his honesty!

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The Fire Ox – 1937, 1997

Flamboyant and aggressive, the Fire Ox is the most active and domineering of the Oxen. Proud and arrogant, the Fire Ox gravitates towards positions of leadership at work and also on the social level. His uncompromising, loyal and regimented outlook lends him well to a career in the armed forces.

The Fire Ox may be obnoxious at times because he will ride roughshod over your feelings in his single-minded focus on his goals. It is not deliberate but just that the Fire Ox can be insensitive to others’ needs. The Ox in him will also be very stubborn and want to hold on very tightly to his views; he’ll need to be careful not to allow both his stubbornness and arrogance to take over his decisions and action. These qualities can also be helpful to keep him in line though – by his obstinacy and need for recognition, he will fulfill his responsibilities and not back down easily in the face of challenges.

The Fire Ox is egoistical and may think more highly of his own capabilities, which can get him into trouble as he may unintentionally overpromise what he can deliver. He can also become quite calculative and discard people who he feels may not be of use to him. If he becomes less judgmental and thinks about the qualities of these people, he may discover some gems that he would have otherwise overlooked.

However, the Fire Ox is someone of integrity and unlikely to be dishonest, though these qualities may be only seen by those who love or know him well.

Life Lessons:

The Fire Ox needs to be more practical about his goals in order to succeed and take on only what he can handle. It would be helpful to him to set limits. If the Fire Ox can be more considerate of others, instead of being too quick to criticise, he may be well amazed at how this will be reciprocated and how much more support he can garner for his many ideas.

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The Earth Ox – 1949, 2009

The most dependable and stable of the Oxen is the Earth Ox. He is practical to a fault and lives by convention but others will appreciate the firm sense of grounding he brings to any group. Ever loyal and hardworking, he knows what he is capable of and what he is not. Thus he only commits to what he can fulfil and he will always fulfil what he has promised. He likes the sense of security and will always seek to create that around him and in the things that he does.

The Earth Ox is a good team player who will happily pull his weight without complaint. He’s not one for sentimentality – being as practical as he is does not leave much time for emotional indulgences! However, this reliability and constancy makes him a trusted employee and friend, and he is well liked by all.

The Earth Ox accepts that life is an uphill battle and he works towards his goals relentlessly. Although the Earth Ox is not the most dynamic of the Oxen, he is the most steady and will achieve what he wants in the long term, perhaps more assuredly and successful than other quicker but more fickle signs.

In love, the Earth Ox is not the romantic charmer but he is faithful and is emotionally stable. For those who appreciate these qualities, the Earth Ox will be a wonderful and long-term partner.

Life Lessons:

The Earth Ox needs to relax and add some fun and excitement to his life, however alien that concept is to him. He also needs to be careful not to take too long to deliberate over decisions and take action for it could slow down progress.

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