The upcoming Lunar New Year, beginning on 17 February 2026, marks the arrival of the ‘Year of the Horse’.

In Chinese culture, the horse carries rich symbolism. It represents energy, momentum, vitality, freedom, and forward movement. These qualities are deeply embedded in centuries of folklore, philosophy, and daily life.  

A horse year is often associated with opportunity, movement, and new ventures. For many, it is a time to be bold, take decisive steps, and embrace change with enthusiasm. In 2026, the horse year is specifically a ‘Fire Horse year’ (火马年 huǒ mǎ nián); the added element of fire intensifies this sense of motion, suggesting a year of breakthroughs, innovation and high energy, though also one requiring balance and care amidst rapid shifts. 

Cultural connotations of the horse

In traditional Chinese thought, the horse (马 mǎ) is a creature of strength, independence, and perseverance. It evokes images of open landscapes, powerful gallops, and an unrestrained spirit. Horses once served as essential companions in transportation, agriculture, communication and warfare, all of which makes them enduring symbols of reliability and mobility.

Horse years are considered times when action, progress, and ambition come to the forefront. As one popular saying puts it, 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) ‘instant success upon the arrival of the horse’ – a phrase still widely used to wish others good fortune and swift achievement.

Those born in the year of the horse are traditionally believed to be energetic, warm hearted, independent, and quick thinking, though sometimes impulsive.

Whether you celebrate through traditional customs, reconnecting with family, or simply taking inspiration from the symbolism of the horse, the Lunar New Year offers a moment to reflect on the past and gallop confidently into the future.

The horse’s place in the cycle

The horse is the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. According to legend, the Jade Emperor once held a great race to determine the animals’ order in the zodiac. The horse ran swiftly, but just before reaching the finish line, a snake that had hidden around its hoof leapt out, startling it and allowing the snake to take sixth place. Thus, the horse found itself seventh in the sequence.  

Here is a table illustrating the 12 animal signs, corresponding to the years in their most recent cycle and next cycle, together with their legendary order:

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

The Spring Festival (春节 Chūn Jié) is the most important traditional celebration in Chinese-speaking communities. The festival typically lasts 15–16 days, beginning on Lunar New Year’s Eve and ending with the Lantern Festival. 

Preparations and traditions

• Cleaning and decorating
  Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the new year to sweep away bad luck. Doors and windows are adorned with red decorations—couplets, lanterns, and paper cuttings—to invite prosperity and good fortune. 
• Family reunion dinner
  The New Year’s Eve meal is one of the most important family reunions of the year. Dishes are chosen for their symbolic meanings, such as dumplings representing wealth or fish symbolising abundance. 
• Red envelopes (红包 hóngbāo)
  Elders give red envelopes filled with money to children and younger family members as a gesture of protection and blessings for the year ahead. 
• Firecrackers and fireworks
  Many communities continue the ancient custom of lighting firecrackers to ward off the monster Nian, a legendary beast frightened off by loud noises and the colour red. 
• Visiting relatives and friends
  During the festival days, people visit loved ones to exchange greetings, gifts, and wishes for a prosperous and harmonious new year.

Learn common new year’s greetings in Chinese 

The most common new year’s greetings are: 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè), 新年好 (xīn nián hǎo) and 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái). The first two expressions mean ‘Happy New Year’ while the last one means ‘Wishing you a Prosperous New Year’ and is mostly used in Cantonese-speaking communities and in business circles. If you want to be very clever and say ‘Happy Year of the Horse’, you need to say 马年快乐 (mă nián kuài lè). Check out the audio flip cards below to hear the correct pronunciations. 

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