Chinese New Year at the office, 2027

First in the zodiac, and not by size: the story goes that the Rat rode in on the Ox and jumped ahead at the finish. Rats are quick, resourceful and good with people, and they spot openings others miss.

Work in 2027

Your best idea this year comes out of a side conversation. Write it down before the meeting ends.

Health

You run on deadlines and late replies. Protect your sleep, and put your phone down an hour before bed.

Wealth

You have a sharp eye for a deal. Keep it simple this year: know what comes in and what goes out.

Colours

Blue gold green

Works best with

Ox, Dragon and Monkey

Takes patience with

Horse and Goat

Steady and hard to rattle. Oxen finish what they start, and the whole team knows it. They rarely ask for help, which is the thing to watch.

Work in 2027

You carry a lot. Book your lunch break like a meeting, and keep it.

Health

Your back and shoulders carry the load. Stand up every hour and stretch before they complain.

Wealth

Slow and steady suits you. Keep doing what works, and don't let anyone rush your decisions.

Colours

White yellow green

Works best with

Rat, Snake and Rooster

Takes patience with

Horse and Goat

Brave, warm and first through the door. Tigers like a challenge and bring others along with them. Patience is not their strongest suit.

Work in 2027

Lead the team outing. People follow your energy, so you pick the activity.

Health

You go hard, then crash. Mix the tough days with easy ones so your energy lasts the year.

Wealth

Big swings are tempting. Sleep on any large purchase before you commit.

Colours

Blue grey orange

Works best with

Horse, Dog and Pig

Takes patience with

Snake and Monkey

Calm, kind and careful with people. Rabbits read a room quickly and smooth things over before anyone notices. They can put off a hard conversation for too long.

Work in 2027

Guard two quiet hours a week. That is where your best work happens.

Health

You soak up other people's stress. A short walk at lunch clears it better than another coffee.

Wealth

You're careful already. Set aside a budget for what you enjoy, so you actually enjoy it.

Colours

Red pink purple blue

Works best with

Goat, Dog and Pig

Takes patience with

Dragon and Rooster

The only mythical animal of the twelve, and they know it. Dragons think big, lead easily and lift a room. The detail can get left to someone else.

Work in 2027

Big plans need a small first step. Put yours on the calendar by March.

Health

You forget you're not invincible. Book the health check you keep moving, and keep the date.

Wealth

You spend the way you think: big. Decide on a number before the shopping starts.

Colours

Gold silver grey

Works best with

Rat, Monkey and Rooster

Takes patience with

Rabbit and Dog

Quiet, sharp and hard to read. Snakes think before they speak and often see the answer first. They keep their cards close, sometimes too close.

Work in 2027

Nobody sees the work until it's done, and then everybody does. Keep going.

Health

You keep things to yourself, tiredness included. Get outside in daylight, and tell someone when you're running low.

Wealth

You plan well and keep it private. Talk big decisions through with someone you trust.

Colours

Black red yellow

Works best with

Ox, Monkey and Rooster

Takes patience with

Tiger and Pig

Always moving. Horses are cheerful, quick on their feet and happiest with room to run. They tend to start faster than they finish.

Work in 2027

A busy year. Say yes to the trips that teach you something, and no to the rest.

Health

Plenty of energy, not much rest. Eat a proper lunch sitting down, at least some days.

Wealth

Money moves as fast as you do. A simple monthly check-in stops it running off.

Colours

Yellow green

Works best with

Tiger, Goat and Dog

Takes patience with

Rat and Ox

Gentle, creative and easy to be around. Goats notice how people feel, and they make a team kinder. They do their best work without a stopwatch behind them.

Work in 2027

It's your year. Slow down where it counts, and the team will follow your pace.

Health

You feel everything. Protect your quiet time, and keep a regular bedtime through the busy months.

Wealth

It's an easy year to say yes to comfort. Keep a small cushion for the unexpected.

Colours

Brown red purple

Works best with

Rabbit, Horse and Pig

Takes patience with

Rat and Ox

Clever, funny and quick to solve a problem in a way nobody planned. Monkeys keep a team entertained, and they need something new or they get bored.

Work in 2027

More ideas than hands. Give two of them to a colleague and let them run.

Health

Your brain doesn't switch off. Give it something physical to do: a class, a walk, a game of anything.

Wealth

You'll have clever ideas this year. Clever isn't the same as certain, so check the sums twice.

Colours

White blue gold

Works best with

Rat, Dragon and Snake

Takes patience with

Tiger and Pig

Up early, well turned out and honest to a fault. Roosters notice everything and say so. They run a tidy project and like it done properly.

Work in 2027

Volunteer for the presentation. You are better at it than you think.

Health

You hold yourself to high standards, and your shoulders show it. Take your full leave this year.

Wealth

You keep tidy records already. Go through them once this year and cancel what you no longer use.

Colours

Gold brown yellow

Works best with

Ox, Dragon and Snake

Takes patience with

Rabbit and Dog

Loyal, fair and the first to stick up for a colleague. Dogs hold a team together. They worry more than they let on.

Work in 2027

You keep the team together. Plan the team lunch, because nobody else will.

Health

You carry other people's worries home. Pick a time to stop checking messages, and stick to it.

Wealth

You look after everyone else first. Sort out your own plans before you help with theirs.

Colours

Green red purple

Works best with

Tiger, Rabbit and Horse

Takes patience with

Dragon and Rooster

Last in the zodiac and the most generous. Pigs are warm, sincere and good company. They tend to say yes to everyone.

Work in 2027

Finish what's half done before you start anything new.

Health

Good food and good company are your thing, and we won't argue. Add a daily walk to balance it.

Wealth

You're generous, and people know it. Be kind, and decide your limit first.

Colours

Yellow grey brown gold

Works best with

Tiger, Rabbit and Goat

Takes patience with

Snake and Monkey