Rat and Ox compatibility —
Secret friends — a Six Harmony pair
| Compatibility score | 84/100 — a strong match |
|---|---|
| Branch link | Secret friends (六合) · Same season (方合) |
| Elements | Water (子) · Earth (丑) — elements control |
| Rat years | 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox years | 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Rat’s best matches | Monkey (84), Dragon (72), Pig (71) |
| Ox’s best matches | Snake (84), Rooster (84), Monkey (66) |
The Rat (子) and the Ox (丑) form one of the six harmony pairs, the branches that recognize each other as partners. The Ox’s Earth controls the Rat’s Water, as a dam holds a river.
The two signs
How the branches meet — Secret friends
The Rat (子) and the Ox (丑) form one of the six harmony pairs, the branches that recognize each other as partners. Conversation comes easily and the relationship feels older than it is. When one of you wobbles, the other steadies things, so love and business partnerships both start smoothly. The one risk is taking each other for granted — say thank you out loud and this bond lasts. They also form a seasonal harmony (方合) link, which adds to the pull between them.
The elements
The Ox’s Earth controls the Rat’s Water, as a dam holds a river. The Ox tends to lead while the Rat adapts; balance comes when the Ox eases off and the Rat speaks up. The tension also tempers you both.
In love and marriage
Attraction comes quickly and arguments blow over. Tradition counts it among the best signs for marriage. A Rat in love shows it by looking after you — remembering, planning, fixing. When hurt, they go quiet rather than loud. An Ox rarely makes grand declarations; they love by staying — showing up the same way, year after year.
As friends and colleagues
Friends and colleagues who understand each other without explanation. Split the roles and you work like one team. Rats gather information and see how the game is played, which makes them the backbone of a team: analysts, traders, organizers and founders of lean, careful businesses. Give an Ox a clear responsibility and they will carry it to the end. They shine in operations, engineering, farming, finance and any role where trust is the product.
As family
As parent and child, a close and supportive bond — just keep expectations realistic. The Rat’s weak spot is worry that delays decisions; the Ox’s is stubbornness once a view is set. Knowing that solves half the problem.
Making it work
- Keep comfort from turning into indifference — say what you appreciate
- Take turns making the big decisions
- Tackle big things together and let each other handle the small ones
Does it matter who is the man and who is the woman?
Not in the branch reading — the relationship between 子 and 丑 is the same either way, and so is the score. What does change the picture is the rest of each birth chart: the Day Masters, the elements each of you is missing, and when your ten-year luck cycles turn. Two full birth dates on the match page read all of that.
Questions about this match
Are the Rat and the Ox compatible?
The Rat and the Ox score 84 out of 100 — a strong match. The Rat (子) and the Ox (丑) form one of the six harmony pairs, the branches that recognize each other as partners. The Ox’s Earth controls the Rat’s Water, as a dam holds a river.
Is Rat–Ox a good match for marriage?
Attraction comes quickly and arguments blow over. A Rat in love shows it by looking after you — remembering, planning, fixing. An Ox rarely makes grand declarations; they love by staying — showing up the same way, year after year.
Does it matter which one is the man?
Not for the branch reading — the link between 子 and 丑 is the same either way, and so is the score. What changes the picture is the rest of each chart: the Day Masters, the missing elements and the timing of the ten-year luck cycles.
Who is the Rat most compatible with?
The Rat’s best matches are the Ox (84/100), the Monkey (84/100) and the Dragon (72/100); the hardest are the Horse (32) and the Goat (33).
Other matches for the Rat
Other matches for the Ox
Your sign comes from your birth year, but the year starts at Lunar New Year, not January 1 — check yours on the zodiac calculator. More: Rat years and personality · Ox years and personality · Rat in 2027 · How Korean couples read compatibility · 한국어
