The Chinese Year of the Ox
The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar form a 12-year cycle. The Lunar New Year starts between January 21 and February 19. This year begins on February 12, 2021.
By Laurie Barnes 潘 筱 莉, Elizabeth B. McGraw Curator of Chinese Art, Norton Museum of Art
According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. They agreed that a contest would be held to decide. The first animal to reach the other side of the riverbank would have the first year of the lunar calendar named after them, and the rest of the animals would receive their years in the order in which they finished. All twelve animals gathered at the riverbank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to step ashore, the rat sprung off the ox’s back, and won the race. The corpulent pig was last. Therefore, the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the final year named for the boar.
What is your Lunar Year zodiac animal?
Qing Dynasty, probably Qianlong reign
Manasi spinach green jade (biyu), from the Tianshan mountains in Xinjiang Province, 4 5/8 x 11 3/8 x 6 3/8 in. (11.7 x 28.9 x 16.2 cm)
Gift of R.H. Norton, 42.18, on view in March, 2021
Ox
(1925–1937–1949–1961–1973–1985–1997–2021)
If you were born in the Year of the Ox, you are a strong, hardworking, methodical leader endowed with an uncanny ability to resolutely face any circumstance. You are stable, conservative, discreet, dutiful, and fervently faithful. Therefore, you inspire confidence from all around you. Guard against being stubborn and demanding. Your practicality and honesty are the keys to prosperity and success. Some Oxen: Li Bai, Su Shi, Ni Zan, J. S. Bach, Renoir, Princess Diana, Dustin Hoffman, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Rosa Parks, Robert Rauschenberg, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Vincent Van Gogh, Jose Alvarez, and John Divola.
Shang Dynasty, Anyang Period
Calcified nephrite jade, 2 3/8 x 3/4 x 3/4 in. (6 x 1.9 x 1.9 cm)
Gift of R. H. Norton, 50.29
Tiger
(1926–138–1950–1962–1974–1986–1998–2010)
A person born in the Year of the Tiger is dominant, magnetic, courageous, and strong. You seek balance between your domineering and strongly competitive nature and your immense need for love. Therefore, you require admiration and are hurt by criticism. You are known for your resilience, and dignity in facing challenges. Your intellect, intrepidness, and fearlessness are the keys to your success. Some Tigers: Marco Polo, Zhao Mengfu, Tang Yin, the Kangxi Emperor, Camille Pissarro, Emily Dickinson, Muhammad, Marilyn Monroe, Beatrix Potter, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Beethoven, Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Gaga, and Jenny Holzer.
Western Zhou Dynasty
Nephrite jade, 1 11/16 x 2 x 3/16 in. (4.3 x 5.1 x .5 cm)
Gift of R. H. Norton, 50.9
Rabbit
(1927–1939–1951–1963–1975–1987 -1999- 2011)
It is said that those born in the Year of the Rabbit are the luckiest of them all. This is because a Rabbit is outgoing, affectionate, talented, friendly, gracious, diplomatic, generous, and laid back. These wonderful qualities make you highly popular. You avoid conflicts as much as possible and instead remain focused on more pleasant experiences, which leads to your being perceived as lazy. You can be shy and sentimental, but if you can overcome that, you can succeed in almost anything. Some Rabbits: The Qianlong Emperor, Raphael, Francisco Goya, Albert Einstein, Queen Victoria, Paul Klee, Ansel Adams, Michael Jordan, and Sidney Portier.
Ming Dynasty, possibly Jiajing Reign
Liuli stoneware with lead glaze in the three-color (sancai) palette, probably made near Changzhi, Shanxi Province, 35 x 23 x 4 1/ 4 in (88.9 x 55.4 x 11.7 cm)
Purchase, acquired through the generosity of Cornelia Bailey and other Friends of Chinese Art of the Norton Museum of Art, 2016.46.1a-b
Dragon
(1928–1940–1952–1964–1976–1988–2000 -2012)
Full of vitality and enthusiasm, a person born in the Year of the Dragon is a highly intelligent, popular perfectionist with the reputation of a being foolhardy “big mouth” and overly demanding at times. You do not like following others, or rules, as you believe rules do not always pertain to you. You enjoy situations that give you the opportunity to show off your innate talents and skills. You are generally successful and use your abilities to become powerful in your corner of the world. Some Dragons: Joan of Arc, Pearl Buck, Sigmund Freud, John Lennon, Helen Frankenthaler, Andy Warhol, Pelé, Martin Luther King, Jr., Deng Xiaoping, Keanu Reeves, and Claes Oldenburg.
Japan, mid-20th century
Netsuke, ivory, diameter 2 in (5.1 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Max Lonner, 85.40, not on view
Snake
(1929–1941–1953–1965–1977–1989–2001–2013)
Known as the “little dragon,” a person born in the Year of the Snake is rich in wisdom and charm. Snake women are noted for their brains and beauty. You are romantic and deep thinking, and your intuition guides you strongly. You are often willing to work imperceptibly to discreetly achieve your goals. You are quick-witted, passionate, and sometimes feared. Appreciating and preferring solitude, you tend to be secretive or shy and may be perceived as a loner. You enjoy being in control even when your passive exterior does not give that impression. Some Snakes: Zhou Dunyi, Artemisia Gentileschi, Edgar Allen Poe, Johannes Brahms, Copernicus, Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Cassatt, Henri Matisse, Alfred Nobel, Gandhi, Chairman Mao Zedong, Picasso, Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, J. K. Rowling, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie & John F. Kennedy, and Jacob Lawrence.
Earthenware with traces of cold-painted polychrome decoration, 19 1/2 × 20 × 7in (49.5 × 50.8 × 17.8 cm)
Gift of Robert and Judith Sibulkin in memory of Morris and Phyllis Sibulkin, 2018.190
Horse
(1918–1930–1942–1954–1966–1978–1990–2002 -2014)
A person born in the Year of Horse’s capacity for hard work is amazing. You are your own person — very independent. While intelligent, friendly, articulate, highly social, and popular, you must guard against being egotistical, impulsive, and short-tempered. Once you find a partner and career, you will be highly devoted to each. Some Horses: Rembrandt, Sir Isaac Newton, the Yongzheng Emperor, Chopin, Edgar Degas, Edward Hopper, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Kobe Byrant, Denzel Washington, Paul McCartney, Stephen Hawking, and Jackie Chan.
Eastern Han Dynasty
Red earthenware with olive-green glaze, 11 x diam. 7 1/2in (27.9 x 19.1 cm)
Gift of Gerald J. Shepps, M.D., 95.171
Ram
(1919–1931–1943–1955–1967–1979–1991- 2003- 2015)
Except for the knack of always getting off on the wrong foot with people and being the first to complain, a person born in the Year of the Ram can be charming, yet somewhat reserved. You are caring, sympathetic, patient, and can bear immense pressure while remaining sturdy and steadfast. A ram is characteristically a hard worker, who accomplishes more than what is required, while remaining in the background, reluctant to draw attention. You can sometimes be assertive and confident, and yet at other times feel somewhat timid. You have a gift for appreciating art, nature, and culture, and have an artistic or creative side. Some Rams: Ouyang Xiu, Michelangelo, Cao Xueqin, Mark Twain, Frida Kahlo, Jasper Johns, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Wille Mays, and George Cohen.
Porcelain, overglaze enamel decoration, height 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Gift of Leo and Doris Hodroff, 2002.81
Monkey
(1920–1932–1944–1956–1968–1980–1992–2004- 2016)
A person born in the Year of the Monkey is intelligent, clever, and witty. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. You are a quick-witted, dynamic thinker who often enjoys playing practical jokes or making people laugh. You tend to succeed in environments that thrive on change. However, you must guard against begin an opportunist and distrustful of other people. Your sense of curiosity leads you to seek out knowledge and enjoy learning new things. Your sign promises success in any field you try. Some Monkeys: Julius Caesar, Shi Nai’an, Jan Vermeer, Charles Dickens, Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Gauguin, George Lucas, Betsy Ross, Tom Hanks, Alice Walker and Alicia Keys.
Southern Song–Yuan Dynasty
Longquan stoneware with a celadon glaze, made in Longquan County, Zhejiang Province, 10 3/4 x diam. 5 3/4 in. (27.3 x 14.6 cm)
Gift of R.H. Norton, 50.38a-b
Rooster
(1921–1933–1945–1957–1969–1981–1993–2005- 2017)
A person born in the Year of the Rooster is diligent, persuasive, tenacious, meticulous, extravagant, punctual, insightful, shrewd, decisive, and verbal about opinions. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful and attention grabbing. You are a morning person, dreamer, flashy dresser, and always know what you want. You are very loyal and genuine and have many friends. You enjoy singing and music. Because of your high standards, you will be successful in your chosen career. Some Roosters: Buddha, Mencius, Ptolemy, Benjamin Franklin, St. Patrick, Thomas Edison, Richard Strauss, Amelia Earhart, R. Kipling, Groucho Marx, Matthew Perry, Katherine Hepburn, Salvador Dali, Pope Paul VI, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Matthew McConaughey and Bob Marley.
Porcelain, overglaze enamel decoration and gilding, height 6 in (15.2 cm)
Gift of Leo and Doris Hodroff, 2002.97
Dog
(1922–1934–1946–1958–1970–1982–1994–2006- 2018)
A person born in the Year of the Dog is loyal, honest, trustworthy, protective, and fair. You are appreciated for creative problem-solving skills, willingness to be serve others, and for being a great listener. However, you are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a fault finder. Some Dogs: Socrates, Emperor Huizong, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, George Gershwin, Song Mei-ling, Jane Goodall, Mother Teresa, Golda Meir, Alexander Calder, Keith Haring, Steven Spielberg, Matt Damon, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Jackson, George W. Bush and María Berrío.
Brick red earthenware with green glaze, 5 3/4 × 8 3/4 × 3 5/8 in (14.6 × 22.2 × 9.2 cm)
Gift of Annette and Sam Mandel in memory of her mother Gail Gross, 99.126
Boar
(1923–1935–1947–1959–1971–1983–1995–2007- 2019)
A person born in the Year of the Boar is a splendid companion and intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are sincere, tolerant, and honest, but by expecting the same from others, you are incredibly naive. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. You will never refuse to give a helping hand to people in need. Your flexible personality, soft heart, and propensity for good luck, will bring you a comfortable and peaceful life. Some Boars: Alexander the Great, Henry VIII, Zheng He, Thomas Jefferson, Chiang Kai-Shek, Lucille Ball, Ernest Hemingway, Mahalia Jackson, Marc Chagall, Georgia O’Keeffe, Elton John, Magic Johnson, Carlos Santana and Jackson Pollock.
Pumpkin with Two Rats, mid 2oth century
Japan
Ivory, stained light brown and black, signed Keuin桂雲, height 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Max Lonner, 85.87, not on view
Rat
(1924–1936–1948–1960–1972–1984–1996–2008- 2020–2012)
If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you are imaginative, charming, and truly generous with loved ones. However, you tend to be quick-tempered and overly critical. You are also inclined to be an opportunist. You are a perfectionist who will work hard to achieve your goals and are popular with plenty of admirers. Thanks to your strong intuition, you can easily adapt to new environments. Because of your adaptability, quick learning, and problem-solving skills, you can be successful at almost anything. Some Rats: Du Fu, Shakespeare, Charlotte Bronte, George Washington, Claude Monet, Qi Baishi, Louise Nevelson, Rosa Parks, Marlon Brando, Wilt Chamberlain, George Foreman, Sidney Poitier, Dwayne Johnson, Mark Zuckerberg, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Romare Bearden.
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