With a history that is believed to date back more than 3,000 years, China is one of the world’s oldest civilisations in the world. Deeply rooted with a storied past, it’s no surprise that Chinese culture is full of ancient tradition, rich heritage and mythical folklore. The perfect example of this is the Chinese zodiac which fully encompasses all three.
Established in 2014 with the release of the Year of the Horse coin, The Shēngxiào Collection celebrates the lunar calendar and honours the various animals of the Chinese zodiac. Continuing this annual tradition into 2021, The Royal Mint is proud to commemorate the second symbol in the 12-year cycle as we celebrate the Lunar Year of the Ox.
Dedicated to the mighty ox, the 2021 release marks the very first time the Year of the Ox has been immortalised on an official UK coin. Discover the tradition and legend behind this iconic symbol with these two in-depth feature articles, as we take a fascinating look at the design and the fabled origins of the beloved beast that inspired it.