铜牛在过去表示了是建设者吃苦耐劳、勇往直前的精神。一般说来，它的形象是一头充满力量的牛四蹄抓地，头向前伸并弯向地下做巨力拉牵状，它的后面是一连根拔起的粗壮的枯树根，象征开拓者们摧枯拉朽的英雄气概。此外，铜牛常作为城市的精神象征，开拓、创新、团结、奉献的城市精神是这类雕塑最终想要表达给大家的，也是雕塑家们精心设计想要传达的精神意向。
In the past, Tongniu has shown that it is the spirit of hard work and courage of the builders. Generally speaking, its image is a powerful cattle four hoof grasps the ground, its head stretches forward and bends to the ground to make a huge force pull shape, behind it is a thick dead tree root pulled up, symbolizing the heroic spirit of the pioneers. In addition, Tongniu is often regarded as the spiritual symbol of the city. The city spirit of development, innovation, unity and dedication is the ultimate expression of this kind of sculpture, as well as the spiritual intention that sculptors carefully design to convey.
随着铜雕塑工艺的不断发展，这类铜牛更加栩栩如生，细节之处也得到了更好的完善，因此不仅仅是城市，一些大型企业也常设有此类铜雕塑，预示着企业开拓进取，不断向前的精神。
With the continuous development of copper sculpture technology, this kind of copper bull is more lifelike and the details are better improved. Therefore, not only the city, but also some large enterprises have this kind of copper sculpture, which indicates the spirit of the enterprise to forge ahead.