Name Selection in the year of Ox

As we usher in the Ox year, parents expecting their baby born this year would need to brainstorm on one precious gift for their newborn. This gift which would likely stick to them for life – a good name!

Thing is, what should we look out for when we think of an auspicious name?
Typically, Singaporeans have a preference for more unique and a nice sounding name. Through this article, you would be able to understand better in what goes behind in a good name for those born in the year of Ox.

A good name would help to enable a good start!

The 12 zodiacs and basis of bazi study in name selection

Ox is 2nd among the order of the 12 zodiacs. In the study of bazi and within these 12 zodiacs, it is important to note that there are some zodiacs that the Ox prefers and dislikes.

For a start, Ox are good with Snake and Rooster. These 3 animals form a harmony combi called 三合. Another combination that the Ox like is with the Rat and Pig called 三会.

On the opposite camp, they dislike the Goat, Horse and Dog. This is due to their direct clash or punishment combi nature when put together. In bazi terms, we term them as 相冲，相刑， 相害.

Among the 12 zodiacs, Ox is 2nd in the running order.

In bazi context, Ox (丑) is actually an earthly branch which contains water. Hence it is beneficial to have metal. The two elements would ensure support as metal supports water. This is derived from the character of 丑. If you think of it, coincidentally, Ox and water are always closely related.

​On the contrary, they dislike fire. Think fire and you equate to under the hot sun (fire) and working hard.

What do we also know about Ox?
Ox is a hardworking and dependable animal that feed on grains and preferably sheltered (vs working in the farm). They are often also served as sacrificial offerings. They can also be hunted by other animals being herbivorous.  

From here, we derived part of the list on auspicious and inauspicious characters that we should pay attention to. 

What auspicious characters for a baby's name?

Auspicious Characters Favourable for Ox 

1. Characters with 辶 or 酉              
远， 运， 凤， 飞，鸾，鸣，迈，泽，莺， 通， 庭， 强， 莲

These are characters contains radical to Snake or Rooster. As written earlier, these zodiacs form a harmony combi with Ox and hence are auspicious.

2. Characters with 子 or 亥
孔，字， 孝， 孟， 孩， 季， 孙， 子， 豪， 濠， 承， 永

These are characters contains radical Rat or Pig. These zodiacs form the winter season earthly branches and are a good combi with Ox and hence are auspicious.

3. Characters with 宀
家， 定， 宏， 宜， 庭， 沈， 宋， 富

Having characters with this radical symbols person would have a shelter. This also implies comfort and somewhere to hide out from danger. Similar to Ox working in the field or being sheltered from sun, you can imagine which has a possible better life.

Having names with the radical "宀" implies having shelter and protected for a Ox person.

​4. Characters with 氵
洪， 洁， 添， 江， 潘， 温， 泉， 汤， 法,   济,   清

Ox is associated with water and belongs to the winter season. As such, it is auspicious to have characters picked containing water. 

Characters to Avoid for Ox 

5. Characters with 午 or 未
洋， 美， 祥， 羲， 幸,   群， 妹， 许，驰， 冯，骏,   南

The indicative characters contains the Horse or Goat radicals. As such, these creates direct conflict towards the Ox hence best to avoid.

Interesting Fact:
In general, the South direction (南) also represents Fire which is in conflict with the Ox. 

6. Characters with 戌  
威， 武， 我， 城， 成， 盛 ,   戈，戌,   犬， 戴

Similarly, the above characters contains radicals similar to dog. Dog is also part of the punishment combi and hence should be avoided.
​
7. Characters with 日 or 山
智,    明,     景，  日,     昌，  晶， 岳， 仙， 汕

The sun implies hard work and heat which is in conflict with Ox preference for water. Mountain contains danger and is not a natural habitat environment. Usually danger and threats lurk in the mountain. There are usually less food compared to a field where the Ox grazes. 

8. Characters with 王 or 玉
珍、理、珠， 环， 王， 瑜，玮， 瑩， 宝

王 stands for the king. The co-relation is usually for the Ox to become the sacrificial offerings and usually at the mercy. Hence, it is quite self explanatory why it is to be avoided.


9. Characters with 彡 or “巾”、“衣”
彤,    彬,    彩,    彦,    希， 麦， 帮，常

Character containing these represents colors and thereby means being sacrificial offerings. In the old days, the offerings are often deck in colors and decorated. This is similar to point 8 to why we should avoid the characters with these radicals listed.

If you are sharp eye enough, you may notice something among the words to avoid or that are auspicious.

Some are actually surnames and it means if the baby born with such surnames would be able to benefit from it more.

Favourable Surname for Ox:
李,   郑,   洪,   江,   孙，温， 宋， 沈， 黄， 郭，游，张，田，梁

Less Favourable Surname for Ox:
朱，杨， 许，成，马，徐，冯，章， 姜、狄

This is also based on the principles of bazi and due to conflicts of energy. Should someone be born under a favourable surname, there is certainly a better advantage and head start at young age too. But that said, there is nothing we can do about our surname. It is about a matter of focusing what we can do to put ourselves in an advantage position in the art of name selection.

Coming up with an auspicious name is an extensive exercise with many considerations!

In the selection of an auspicious name, the above listed are not exhaustive. There are actually other categories not listed (favourable or those to be avoided).

Not to forget, there is also consideration of stroke count. This is to ensure the baby or person's name is auspicious based on the 五格吉凶表 and others areas to consider. Part of a challenge to selecting an auspicious name is to ensure other than the right characters, the name should have a nice ring to it.

Finally, you may also wish to check if the feng shui master can try to work within some preferred characters submitted. Some do have such practices, while some may not. Of course, the last thing parents (or individuals) want, is to get a name which they do not like. So this option if available is really beneficial. However as with all things, there is no guarantee that the preferred characters is always useable or auspicious.

I hope you enjoy this article which gives some insights into how name selection comes about. Also, some of the methodology that are based on bazi studies to allow you to appreciate the discussed areas of name selection. This not only applies to baby name selection but also for anyone born under the zodiac year of Ox. 

Over here, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Prosperous and Happy Lunar New Year in year of Ox!