The Four Pillars

丑︎Chǒu — the Ox

Earthly Branch · Ox · Earth

The second Earthly Branch — the Ox, late winter, cold and patient Earth that stores what will be needed.

Chǒu reads as patient, dependable endurance: the temperament that keeps working long after others have quit. Its strength is steadiness; its lesson is to let others share the load rather than shoulder every burden alone.