Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac) Coloring Pages

Second Place! Hardworking and Strong Animal

Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac) is the second animal in the 12-year cycle. It stands for the ox that everyone knows. Oxen have helped people with their work for a long time. They are hardworking and strong animals!

What Kind of Character and Symbol?

Because oxen are strong and never give up, they have always been a symbol of good things.

• Never Giving Up and Patience: They carry heavy loads and plow big fields. Because they keep making a steady effort, they are a symbol of patience and never giving up.
• Honesty and Good Fortune: They do their work quietly and honestly. So, they are also a symbol that hard work pays off and brings good fortune.
• Growth and Success: Oxen walk slowly and steadily. Because of this, people say they are a symbol of moving forward step by step toward success.

Oxen Have Helped People Live!

Oxen have always been very important in our everyday lives.

• Partners in Farming: They pulled heavy plows to turn over the soil in fields. They were great helpers!
• Gifts of Food: They give us milk and meat. They are animals that help us in our everyday lives.

People Born in the Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac)

People born in the Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac) are said to be hardworking, serious, and strong-willed, just like an ox!

• Serious and Unstoppable: They do not show off, but they are serious workers who finish their tasks to the very end.
• Honest and Responsible: They keep their promises, so people really trust them. They feel a strong responsibility and never quit halfway.
• Gentle and Kind: They are usually gentle and kind. But once they make up their mind, they have a strong heart and never give up!

How to Choose Colors: Use Bright and Gentle Farm Colors!

Body color of the Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac): This Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac) has a round and adorable body. Use the cherry blossom and cloud patterns on its body, and choose cute colors for them!

• Basic Ox Colors: White and black, or white and brown spots are common. If you color this ox with spots, it will look just like a real one!
  • White parts: Use the lines and patterns to your advantage, and leave them white or color them with a very light cream color.
  • Spot pattern parts: If you color them black or dark brown, they will really stand out!
• Pattern colors: Try coloring the cherry blossoms and cloud patterns on the body with different colors from the spots on its body.
  • Cherry blossoms: Use pink or red for a spring feel.
  • Clouds: Use light blue or light purple for a gentle look.

Farm Background: Color the peaceful farm scene where the cow lives.

• Fields and grass: Use brown for the fields! If you use a few different shades of green for the grass and trees, they will look nice and natural.
• Sky: Use light blue or soft yellow to make a peaceful, sunny sky.

How to color with depth: Let’s show the roundness of the body!

To show the round body of the Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac), let's think about "shadows" and "lights." Places that become shadows:

• Try adding "shadows" to places where light doesn't reach easily, like under the chin, the base of the legs, and the underside of the tummy, using a slightly darker color than your main color.

Where the light hits: For places where the light shines bright, like the upper back or forehead, leave them bright or color them with light colors. This will make the body look shiny and round!

Let’s make it look fun!

Colored pencils: A cow's body has short hair, so you can make it look nice and neat by coloring evenly with no patchy spots. Background buildings: Try coloring the sheds and houses in the back with your favorite colors, like red or blue. It will look like a cute farm from a faraway country!

Tips to enjoy your coloring page!

• Let's make an ox in a field of flowers!
  • Besides the cherry blossom patterns on the body of the Year of the Ox (Japanese Zodiac), try using your colored pencils to draw lots of little flowers in the background fields and grass!
• A coloring page for spring!
  • Try using lots of bright spring colors, like pink and yellow, to make a lively picture that feels like a celebration or a new beginning!