Year of the Ox: what Ox people are like

The Ox is the second animal of the cycle. It got there by walking steadily across the river with a small passenger on its back. People born in the Year of the Ox often have the same steady strength, and they're usually the ones still working after the noise has died down.

Born in January or early February? Check the Lunar New Year date for your year.

What Ox people are like

Ox people tend to be patient, dependable and calm under pressure. They like to know where they stand, and they'd rather do a thing properly than fast. That's the usual picture, though plenty of Oxen are spontaneous, silly and full of surprises.

• Steady. Once an Ox commits to something, they tend to see it through.
• Honest. Oxen usually say what they mean, kindly and plainly.
• Practical. They are good at turning a vague idea into a list of real steps.
• Warm in practical ways. An Ox will skip the speech and show up with soup.

Because they're so reliable, Oxen sometimes carry more than their share. The steady pace holds up better when they let others help and take a rest now and then.

Good company

The Ox's trio partners are the Snake and the Rooster. The Snake likes to think things through as much as the Ox does, and the Rooster has the same eye for detail and good work. Tradition names the Rat as the Ox's secret friend; it's lively where the Ox is calm, so the two balance each other.

People born in any two years can get on well, of course. The pairings are just something fun to talk about.

A small thing to try this week

Choose one task you've been carrying alone and ask someone to take part of it, even a small part. Most jobs feel lighter with two people on them, and asking takes its own kind of strength.

In Slipmatic

Press the button on the Robo-Booth ’84 and it prints a slip on how your Chinese year sits with today. With Slipmatic Plus, a fresh slip for the Ox is waiting every morning.

For entertainment and reflection.