うし

The Ox's great strengths are responsibility and steadiness: decisions are weighed carefully, and the character is upright, stubborn and respectful of tradition. The downside is rigidity — they handle matters bluntly and, once angered, can leave a situation in ruins.

Reliable and hard-working, Ox natives earn their managers' trust and push through difficulties on sheer endurance. They are slaves to their work, yet rarely voice their feelings, so others find them hard to read; even in conflict they keep their grievances to themselves and ask for calm discussion.

Steadiness, diligence, practicality and creativity are their gifts; in thinking style they are as heavy, slow and stubborn as the animal itself. Their main weakness is inflexibility — advice rolls off, and they slide into acting alone. Valuing tradition as they do, they gain much from loosening that grip and considering others' feelings.

They express affection poorly, preferring quiet, indirect signals. Honest, grounded and short on romance, they make dependable rather than exciting partners. When angry they can be a bull nobody dares approach, and such outbursts may undo an image built over years. They know clearly whom they like, never force unwanted company, and look after those who depend on them — happiest acting alongside kindred spirits.

Finances improve with age and the career tends to resolve step by step: a classic late bloomer. Proud beneath a mild exterior, they dislike anonymous work, and even in salaried roles they claim their place in later years provided they do not rush.