Year of the Ox 2009: Ox Celebrity Pictures

Happy Year of the Ox! The 2009 Chinese New Year begins January 26 and ends February 14, 2010, according to the lunar calendar. Any babies born during this time falls under the Chinese zodiac symbol the Ox (or Cow), one of 12 astrological symbols.

The Year of the Ox cycles around every 12 years, so if you're turning 12, 24, 36 -- or other multiples of 12 -- this year, it's a good chance you're also an Ox. You're in good company. Zap2it has compiled a list of celebrities that share that Ox blood.

This year includes newly sworn-in President Barack Obama as the ultimate Ox of all. (Well, there's also LC, but that's debatable.)

So check out the gallery of our Celebrity Oxen and learn about Chinese New Year traditions, characteristics of the Ox and other miscellaneous ox trivia.

-- Text by Hanh Nguyen, Zap2it.com