What Year Is this ? The Year of the OX

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I'm not Asian, but I love anything and everything Asian! My absolute first thought on the New Year is "What Year is this accrding to the Chinese Calendar? and when is it?" I can't wait to find out!

If I'm online and thinking about it, zip I'm there looking it up. If I'm ordering out, the first question on the phone to the person who answers...What year is this?
You'd be surprised to know, there are a few Chinese people don't really follow this as closely as I do!

Ok...so are you ready?! 2009 is the year of the Ox! Aren't you excited! Jumping up and down! No..well I guess both of us need a little more to get us excited. First of all, the Chinese New Year is 26 January 2009 - 14 February 2010: Earth Ox. Just what does the Year of the Ox mean?

According to Wikipedia:


The Ox is thought to be the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The Ox is a power sign, like the Rat, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, and Monkey. They're quite dependable and possess an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

Ox people, according to tradition, need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

Traditionally, people born under the influence of the Ox are thought to be kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Security is their main preoccupation in life, and they are prepared to toil long and hard in order to provide a warm, comfortable and stable nest for themselves and their families. Strong-minded, stubborn, individualistic, the majority are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do.

The Ox, it is thought, works hard, patiently, and methodically, with original intelligence and reflective thought. These people enjoy helping others. Behind this tenacious, laboring, and self-sacrificing exterior lies an active mind.

The Ox, according to tradition, is not extravagant, and a modern interpretation of this is that the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes them nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.

Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome in small gatherings because of their humble composure and reverent nature towards the host. They are reputed to be the most beautiful of face in the zodiac. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new. People born in the year of the Ox make wonderful parents and teachers of children.

It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them.

So all and all, it looks like 2009 may shape up to be a GREAT YEAR! Just a little hard work will work wonders this year!

Oh, BTW...the Chinese New Year is part of the Chinese Zodiac. Everyone was born under a different animal in the Chinese Zodiac. I'm a little miffed here, mine is the Rooster in some accounts and very rarely I find my birth year as the Dog. I really like the definition for the Dog the best, so I don't want to be a Rooster!

What is your animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac? Check it out here. Then post a comment with your sign!

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