appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Jill Lander

January 2026 marks the Ox month, from January 5 to February 3. The element of the month is Yin Earth. The Earth Ox, yi chou, represents the 12th and final month of the Chinese calendar.
Now is the time to reflect on the shared experiences of the past year to prepare for the year ahead – the third of the current 20-year feng shui cycle, which began in 2024. Be prepared for a period of major change ahead, acknowledge strengths and weaknesses, and learn from the past.

At the beginning of any new year, it is always considered auspicious to generate harmonious energy, so aim to compromise as much as possible. While it’s not always easy to see others’ points of view, you can aim to be less reactive and more proactive for an easier ride into the coming Fire Horse year.
In the last month of the year of the Wood Snake, you have the potential to energise and maximise your luck when you step back from any current issue and aim to do the best you can with the right intention and frame of mind. While the Snake year made us aware of the best time to strike for the good of mankind and our planet, 2026 will be more about exploring, expanding and expressing ourselves without restraint.

This Ox month is about business, making money and moving forward, while listening more and talking less. It brings balance and calm as we move from one year to another. It’s time for strategy and planning as we prepare for Lunar New Year – my favourite time of the year. Be bold and bullish!
Mythologically, the Ox was the messenger between Heaven and Earth, bringing dreams and strange images that prepare us for the year ahead while helping to process the one that has passed.

In Chinese culture, those born under the sign of the Ox (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) are strong-willed and powerful.
Famous Ox personalities include Walt Disney, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Barack Obama, George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruce Springsteen, Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Vincent van Gogh, Dick Van Dyke, Adolf Hitler, Keira Knightley, Princess Diana, Jeremy Corbyn, Annie Leibovitz, Margaret Thatcher, Wayne Rooney, Kylie Jenner, KJ Apa, Lana Condor, Lisa Manoban, Lana Del Rey and Bruno Mars.
How Ox-like are you?
If you have one or more Ox signs in your birth chart, your Ox traits will be magnified especially during January, your specific astrological month.
Those born in the Ox Year are realistic, fair-minded, sensitive, intuitive and insightful. They are also steady, methodical and reliable, and so are not usually fast movers. Once they make up their minds, they finish things at their own pace.

Those born during the Ox Month (January) are best suited to careers that require specific expertise or continuation of gaining knowledge. Oxen are normally learned individuals. Suitable careers are lawyer, doctor, teacher, author, social worker, writer, editor, government officer, policeman, technician, politician, office clerk and consultant.
Those born on an Ox Day are talented, smart and motivated. Their early years may have been complicated, but they have great potential to achieve success in middle age. They may enjoy an easier old age when all their needs and comforts will be met.
Those born during the Ox hours (1am-3am), the darkest hours, reach out to the light. They dislike miserable people around them and try to bring laughter to others. They may be jokers, and this sometimes works against them. At critical moments, they may not be taken seriously.
What does January hold for your astrological sign?
These generic forecasts carry different nuances depending on whether this animal rules your year, month, day or hour.
√ Lucky
∞ Neutral luck
X Not so lucky
The Ox is the astrological friend to the Rat, Rooster and Snake. Challenges occur for those born in the Goat year.
X Rat – it’s best to maintain a low profile

Keep your plans and visions to yourself as you may attract jealousy. This is not the month to trust openly – too much success can lead to office politics and, even worse, you may lose out on some new year bonuses. It’s best to maintain a low profile while being polite and amicable, to help gain clarity and allow you to make better decisions.
X Ox – prioritise solo tasks

Avoid problems by letting go of trivial matters. Those around you may be less tolerant and could use you as their scapegoat, resulting in the potential for loss. Focus on fostering good times, prioritising solo tasks and your own responsibilities. Be careful when driving, so as not to attract fines and penalties for parking or speeding.
∞ Tiger – consider adjusting your working pace

Don’t allow minor mishaps to derail or dampen your plans or energy. Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and adapt. Taking on everything by yourself can make you feel in control, but it can also be physically taxing. To avoid burnout, consider adjusting your working pace and delegating tasks to trusted subordinates. Smile often and spread positivity to others. In return, good fortune will naturally follow you into the new year.
∞ Rabbit – be mindful of unexpected setbacks

Do not be too trusting this month, as the Snake Year may end on a slightly challenging note. Be mindful of unexpected setbacks or obstacles that may arise. You may be tempted to take short cuts, but resist the urge as they may lead to unfavourable consequences that harm your reputation. Stay alert to being cheated or betrayed.
√ Dragon – a month of successful developments

You should be ending the year on a high as the wealth star aligns itself and is drawn directly into your chart to bring about opportunities for financial growth. This may be a month of successful developments that meet all your expectations, so list your dreams and start working towards them.
√ Snake – don’t take warning signs lightly

As your year began so will it finish – with heightened awareness. So take risks and constantly aim to meet your expectations with confidence and momentum for the Fire Horse year. The more tasks that come your way are a sign of the confidence others have in you. With so much going on, it will be easy to become distracted, resulting in losing your footing and causing long-term injury. Don’t take warning signs lightly; if something doesn’t feel right, have it checked out.
√ Horse – your charm and charisma get a boost

As you trot towards your year with pride and majestic confidence, life appears to be improving on many fronts. You may enjoy completion luck. Your charm and charisma also get a boost, and your vision becomes clear on how best to make the luck last for as long as you need. While on-the-job learning remains valuable, attending courses in 2026 could be of great value in your astrological year.
√ Sheep – remain focused

Stay focused as distractions may lead you to second-guess yourself and your abilities when it comes to making decisions. You enjoy good mentor and benefactor luck, so you can look forward to a lot of support for whatever you are working on. Many new influences appear to materialise to help you make meaningful advances, so make every effort to be more visible. The extra effort you put into getting ahead this month will be well worth it.
√ Monkey – work on networking

Good contacts make all the difference to gaining results at the start of 2026, so – similar to the recommendations given for the Goat – work on networking and getting your face remembered for when it matters. You may find yourself surrounded by different people, making this an interesting and enjoyable month.
∞ Rooster – be gentle with your energy

Your energy may be low due to external pressures and lack of support from others who may not share your vision and passion. Press the reset button and redirect your energy to regain control and not lose your momentum. Be gentle with your energy and who you allow into your sphere as it may not be obvious to others how sensitive you may be feeling. Planning ahead will show you are responsible and, by the month end, you will be back to operating at full capacity again – just the way you like it.
√ Dog – enjoy strong leadership luck

There is wealth potential shining within your chart, easing pressure, and you are in a good position to invest in something new and exciting as you have a high chance of long-term success. You also enjoy strong leadership luck, and if you can give some extra attention to time management, you will see your productivity levels increase while gaining the support and personal kudos of your colleagues and superiors.
X Pig – enjoy upward mobility

This is a month of great change, so be prepared for things to be diverted. Brace yourself and look forward with confidence and a positive attitude to what life has in store for you in 2026. Your luck is strong and you are formidable. Projects started now will certainly provide you with a high chance of becoming a long-term success. You enjoy upward mobility so when offered your chance, take it and never look back.


Year of the Horse 2026 eighth month predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in September 2026, the Fire Rooster month?

Year of the Horse 2026 seventh month predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in August 2026, the Fire Monkey month?

Horoscopes

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month – before we head into Fire Horse year?

The Chinese zodiac is comprised of 12 animals. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

What will your luck be in the Earth Ox month? Photo: AP Photo

The Ox is steady and reliable. Photo: Unsplash

Former US president Barack Obama was born in the Year of the Ox. Photo AFP

Ox traits will be magnified this month for those born under the Ox sign. Photo: Shutterstock

Rat years include 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Ox years include 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Tiger years include 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 and 2010. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Rabbit years include 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Dragon years include 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Snake years include 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Horse years include 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Goat – or Sheep – years include 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 and 2015. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Monkey years include 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Rooster years include 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2017. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Dog years include 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Pig years include 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

How silver jewellery is redefining luxury, from Saint Laurent to rising indie labels

The founder of up-and-coming London-based jewellery brand Shuwuu is from Mongolia. Photo: Handout

Ursuuna pieces are inspired by the Turkic ethnic group, Sakha. Photo: Handout

Mano Vintage Jewellery bracelet. Photo: Handout

Georg Jensen Vivianna Plume brooch. Photo: Handout

Georg Jensen Torun bangle. Photo: Handout

Georg Jensen, the Danish luxury brand, has worked with silver for more than a century. Photo: Handout

Mughal jewellery shines bright at Hong Kong Palace Museum exhibition

Red grid and chevron enamel heritage hoop earrings, on display at the Hong Kong Palace Museum till February 2026. Photo: Handout

Sagiri Dayal Jewellery necklace. Photo: Handout

A 15th-century-inspired hexagon aquamarine and enamel ring. Photo: Handout

An aquamarine enamel ring. Photo: Handout

The Hong Kong Palace Museum, where artefacts from India’s Mughal dynasty are on display until February 2026. Photo: Handout

Why crab is now fine dining’s ultimate luxury ingredient, dethroning caviar, truffle and Wagyu beef

Crab meat has become the season’s signifier in the luxury dining scene. Photo: @kinkan_la/Instagram

Hokkaido hairy crab brushed in clarified butter, topped with Regalis golden kaluga caviar. Photo: @regalisfoods/Instagram

Sushidokoro Mekumi in New York City offers limited season crab omakase. Photo: @mekuminyc/Instagram

New Tribeca kaiseki restaurant Muku in New York sold out its phantom crab menu. Photo: @restaurantmuku.nyc/Instagram

Thai-Japanese restaurant Kinkan in Los Angeles offers sawagani, a tiny river crab. Photo: @kinkan_la/Instagram

Dungeness crab featured on Angler’s Thanksgiving menu in 2025. Photo: @anglersanfrancisco/Instagram

Korean-Chinese restaurant Octo in New York offers a live Norwegian king crab feast. Photo: @octo.nyc/Instagram

A large king crab can cost north of US$2,000. Photo: @anglersanfrancisco/Instagram

Inside Ananda in the Himalayas, whose clients include King Charles, Melinda French Gates and Oprah Winfrey

The spa pool at Ananda in the Himalayas, India’s first luxury wellness retreat, established a quarter of a century ago. Photo: Handout

The restored Viceregal Palace is the historic heart of Ananda. Photo: Handout

Yoga at Ananda in the Himalayas. Photo: Handout

Abhyanga Ayurvedic four-handed massage is offered at Ananda. Photo: Handout

The Pavilion is Ananda’s casual eatery. Photo: Handout

A suite at Ananda in the Himalayas, with its own private garden. Photo: Handout

Is smoking cool again? Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and the other stars not afraid to light up

Sabrina Carpenter holds a Louis Vuitton cigar. Photo: @sabrinacarpenter/Instagram

Sabrina Carpenter photographed for Interview Magazine. Photo: @sabrinacarpenter/Instagram

Charli XCX wearing YSL and holding a cigarette in September 2025. Photo: @charli_xcx/Instagram.

Sabrina Carpenter posted a photograph of herself with a cigar in May 2025. Photo: @sabrinacarpenter/Instagram

Charli XCX, cigarette in hand, in September 2025. Photo: @charli_xcx/Instagram

Charli XCX promoted her songs “Club Classics” and “B2B” with a cover image of her holding a cigarette. Photo: @charli_xcx/Instagram

Magazines

Style

Lifestyle

Leisure

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road


It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road.


Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month – before we head into Fire Horse year?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road