The Year Of The Fire Horse
begins February 17th 2026 and lasts for 15 days.
Who celebrates Lunar New Year?
Chinese communities all around the world. Asian communities celebrate the new year the same day but use different names for their celebrations.
- China celebrates Spring Festival
- Vietnam celebrates Tet.
- South Korea calls it Seollal
- Chinese communities outside of China call the celebration Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year.
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How is the year and element determined?
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle and each year is represented by a different animal.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Last year, 2025, was the year of the Snake so this year is the year of the Horse and next will be the year of the goat.
The zodiac elements are fire, earth, metal, wood and water. Each represents a year similar to the animals.
Each zodiac animal and element have traits that translate to those born under these signs.
People born under the year of the horse are considered confident, intelligent and responsible. They are also impatient and easily swayed. They have talents and strengths but can get bored really easily and may be attention seekers.
Celebrating!
Celebrating ancestors and welcoming the new year with traditions bring good luck, happiness and prosperity.
Families visit temples and participate in lion or dragon dances and parades. Special meals filled with certain foods, drinks, and symbols welcome in good luck, good fortune, wealth, prosperity and happiness.
Gifts are exchanged and fireworks or firecrackers light up the sky. Most celebrations mark the end of the celebration with a Lantern Festival!
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Luck in the Lunar New Year!
What is especially lucky in the Year of the Fire Horse?
Lucky colors: Green, Yellow, Brown
Lucky numbers: 2,3 and 7. Any combination of these numbers is alwo considered lucky
Lucky flower: Jasmine and Calla Lily
What to watch out for?
Unlucky numbers: 1,5 and 6
Unlucky colors: Blue and White
If you have anyone born in these years, they are also part of the horse zodiac: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, and 1966.
New Year Food
Auspicious foods (or lucky foods) that bring in the best luck for the new year?
Fish is for good luck, wealth, and to bring a healthy life.
Dumplings are traditionally eaten at festivities to bring wealth.
Mandarin oranges, dried fruit and candies often in the shape of gold coins or fortune are served everywhere and symbolize fortune.
Long noodles symbolize good fortune and long life.
It's important to know that your plate should never be empty and it would be seen as a sign of bad luck or that your luck will run out.
More Lunar Year Traditions:
- Red is the color of the holiday. Decorations, clothes, everything you can think of is either created in red or adorned in red as it symbolizes good luck and prosperity. New clothes show a fresh start for the new year.
- In Mandarin, the word red sounds very similar to the word for prosperous.
- Traditional dances like the dragon or lion dance bring families and community together to celebrate.
- Firecrackers are lit to bring good luck (safely)
- Day 2 of the new year families exchange small gifts.
- A popular gift is money or tokens given in red envelopes which for prosperity and happiness. Married family members hand out red envelops out with money to children for goodwill and blessings for the new year and for families.
Gifts are given in pairs for luck - The number 8 is considered an especially luck or auspicious number.
Tips of Lunar New Year Celebrations to avoid bad luck and to bring in prosperity:
- Never use a knife on New Year's Day
- Scissors and brooms should be put out of sight and not used the first day of the New Year. You could brush away good luck.
- Washing or cutting your hair on the first day of the New Year could possibly wash or cut away good luck.
- Do not clean your house as you can remove good luck. If you must clean something do it after dark.
- Doing laundry on the New Year you are washing away good luck and wealth.
- Gifts that are black or white are unlucky
- No clocks or watches. Watches symbolize time is running out.
- No gifting shoes. Shoes mean that one could walk away from a friendship or relationship.
- Always give gifts in pairs or even numbers. Two oranges, Two coins, Two bills assure good luck.
Always wear colorful clothes. Red, Orange and Yellow are especially lucky. - Never dress in white, black or dark blue.
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This is such a rich and intricate celebration with traditions interlaced throughout that bring rich meaning and luck to the Lunar New Year.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Gong-she-faa-tsai)
Gong Hey Fat Choy (Gong Hee Faat Choy)
or Wishing you a prosperous New Year.
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