HORIZON ASTROLOGY

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Ox and Sheep

Compatibility overview

Forewarned is forearmed—there is no sugar-coating in Chinese astrology when it comes to reputedly difficult matches. The combination of firsteast and secondeast is notorious for personality clashes or intense rivalries, because the instincts and personalities of these signs tend to be diametrically opposed. That said, the prospects here are by no means all negative, and there can be significant, even extraordinary, upsides to this relationship.

Ox and Sheep - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the OX and SHEEP zodiac signs...

Around the Chinese zodiac wheel are six infamously Opposite matches, including that between the Ox and Sheep. The characters of these two signs could hardly be more different. Where the Ox's natural disposition is resolute, determined, and opinionated, the peaceful Sheep inclines towards fluidity and abstraction. Hence interactions between these two often amplify a sense of polarization and tension.

The Ox, who prizes solidity in their professional and private lives, may find that the changeability of the Sheep makes them feel as if they are always in the midst of shifting sands. The Sheep, on the other hand, can be profoundly destabilized by the Ox's unwavering world-view, which for the Sheep stymies the aesthetic ideals of freedom and beauty that give their life meaning. The result can be a vicious circle, where both signs become ever more uncomfortable and entrenched in their positions. The wilful Ox, trying to force stability onto the relationship, may seem increasingly rigid and domineering. The Sheep, desperate to avoid criticism and feeling closed in, could find themselves running around in frantic circles, constantly changing their mind.

Like all Opposite relationships, however, the discord between these two can, in fact, yield truly astounding results. Like the symbols of Yin and Yang, each of these opposite signs supplies bountiful energy in an area where the other is most deficient. If their respective forces can be joined into a common cause, these two can therefore wield an extraordinary collective force. Collaborations or competitions—even conflicts—between these two have the potential to be amazingly successful, captivating the attention of audiences with what is in effect a full spectrum of energy.

It may still be a challenge for the Sheep and Ox to share in each other's successes, such is the incompatibility between them. However, counterbalancing Western energy, or a combination of self-acceptance and generosity, may enable them to reap together an embarrassment of riches.

Celebrity Ox/Sheep Pairings^*

^*Click on the names to see both Western and Chinese zodiac matches for that pairing.

Jane Fonda and Katharine Hepburn (click for attribution/s)

Jane Fonda (12/21/1937, Sagittarius Ox), Katharine Hepburn (5/12/1907, Taurus Sheep) : The two actors co-starred memorably in the film, On Golden Pond (1981), for which Hepburn won an Oscar for Best Actress. Fonda described in 2021: "What an interesting woman. I mean, we were not friends. [Hepburn] was really competitive. She really thought that I was out to win more Academy Awards than she was, and when she won for On Golden Pond I called to congratulate her, and she said, 'You'll never catch me now.'...She did not like me. She once [said] that I didn't have a soul...She took that very seriously about teaching to younger people. She took me—I can't say under her wing, she didn't like me very much...What I loved about her was that she took the job of being an elder very seriously. She was intentional about teaching me and talking to me, including giving me line readings, and I found that just wonderful."

Keira Knightley (3/26/1985, Aries Ox), David Cronenberg (3/15/1943, Pisces Sheep) : The actor and director worked together on the biopic, A Dangerous Method. Talking about the sadomasochistic scenes in the film, Cronenberg has said, "I had a lot of fun. I’m not so sure about Keira...We had a very frank discussion about what would disturb her, what she was comfortable with, and so on. She was never comfortable with it, but comfort was not my main thing."

Frank Vincent and Joe Pesci (click for attribution/s)

Frank Vincent (4/15/1937, Aries Ox), Joe Pesci (2/9/1943, Aquarius Sheep) : The two actors were longtime friends and collaborators as bandmates and a comedy duo before becoming famous for their roles as gangsters in Scorcese blockbusters including Goodfellas. Speaking of his highly combustible, love-hate relationship with Pesci, Vincent commented, "We were like a husband and wife and broke up many times...Every night we'd argue over every word...We would never say who's the boss but we were two very creative people."

Rian Johnson (12/17/1973, Sagittarius Ox), Natasha Lyonne (4/4/1979, Aries Sheep) : The actor and filmmaker collaborated on the TV show Poker Face, an innovative throwback to serialized shows from the 1970s. Johnson described: "The whole thing is a bespoke suit, cut entirely to [Lyonne]...[W]hen I first came to her, all I came to her with was the notion of a procedural show, case-of-the-week thing, you at the center of it. That’s all I had. And then we started up conversations and went back and forth and really started true collaboration...Everything about it was trying to harness and even amplify everything that I love about watching Natasha on screen. The whole thing is completely cut to measure for her."

Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner (click for attribution/s)

Caitlyn Jenner (10/28/1949, Scorpio Ox), Kris Jenner (11/5/1955, Scorpio Sheep) : The two media personalities were married for 22 years. They had two children together and raised a blended family including children from their previous marriages. Shortly after finalizing their divorce in 2014, Caitlyn (previously Bruce) Jenner came out as transgender in 2015. Kris Jenner has said publicly that the publication of Caitlyn's memoir, The Secrets of My Life, resulted in a period of estrangement, but that relations have since improved: "We're fine. Yeah, we're friends. And I see her when she's at a family thing so it's, you know, settled down a lot. I think [Caitlyn's transition] was a big shock. It's a scary thing to go through because you know nothing about it. It's a subject I never thought that I would ever have to directly deal with [or] confront [or] be understanding about. Something that I didn't, you know, understand."

Meryl Streep (6/22/1949, Cancer Ox), Robert De Niro (8/17/1943, Leo Sheep) : These two famous actors worked together on the sets of Falling in Love (1984) and The Deer Hunter (1978). When presenting an award to Streep, De Niro stated, "Meryl is the most generous and giving actor...She not only inhabits her own character, she helps bring out the character of everyone else on the screen...Meryl doesn't seem to have any imperfections. And I say that with the most love for you, Meryl."

Rakim and Nas (click for attribution/s)

Nas (9/14/1973, Virgo Ox), Rakim (1/28/1968, Aquarius Sheep) : The two rappers have collaborated together and share a close bond as part of the hip hop community. Seeking to dispel rumours about a breakdown in their relationship, Rakim acknowledged that he felt there was a breach of privacy in Nas's tribute track, "The Unauthorized Biography of Rakim", which references Rakim’s professional and private history. Rakim explained, "I pulled him [Nas] to the side and let him know I still got love for him. At the same time it’s principles. I’ve always been a reserved person. There’s certain things I speak about and certain things I don’t speak about. I just felt violated almost that he touched on certain things I haven’t even touched on."