This week, billions of people around the world are coming together to celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. 2026 is the year of the Horse, followed by the Snake and in 2027 by the Goat. (As always you can click on any image for a closer look at our blogs and articles.)
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle according to the Lunar New Year and “Shengjiao” as it is known in China is deeply associated with Chinese history, tradition, culture and belief systems.
Each year in the cycle is represented by 12 different animals, with each animal said to represent different qualities and symbols. (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.)
In addition to the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac, the calendar also assigns each year to one of the five elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth, meaning that the overall zodiac cycle takes 60 years to complete. With this, we are now entering the year of the Fire Horse.
The horse is seen as a symbol of speed, independence, loyalty and ambition and in Shengxiao, the horse is never idle. It represents speed, the desire to move forward and the restless desire for progress. The years ruled by the Horse are traditionally associated with change, travel, bold decisions, and the pursuit of freedom. It’s sometimes fun, sometimes chaotic and never boring.
Further symbolism is associated with the Fire Horse. It is said that Fire Horse years bring particularly courageous and fiery energy, a sense of purpose and there are long standing superstitions about the strong nature of women born in Fire Horse years.
For those whose zodiac sign is the Horse, (for example, if you are turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 or 108 this year) your return to your zodiac year is known as your Ben Ming Nian. It is seen as a year of potential opportunity with a need for care and balance.
People born in the Year of the Horse are often described as energetic, charismatic, quick-witted, and extremely independent. They are said to be natural communicators, comfortable being in the spotlight and value personal freedom above all else. It has long been said that years of the Horse are excellent for embarking on travels, changing careers, embarking on creative projects, or embracing personal reinvention, and the rituals surrounding the Year of the Horse reflect this energy.
However the years of the Horse also come with their own warnings. It is believed that impatience, impulsive decision making and fatigue accompany uncontrolled movement.
Red remains the dominant color in decoration, symbolizing good luck and protection. As you would expect, horse imagery becomes particularly prominent with depictions of horses appearing in paintings, calligraphies and talismans, intended to bring good luck.
In some areas, people avoid reckless financial risks during the years of the Horse, believing that if one is not careful, luck can go away as quickly as it came. Elsewhere, others deliberately plan travel, relocation, or major life changes, and rely on the Horse’s auspicious association with movement and opportunity.
We would like to once again take this opportunity to wish all our customers, partners, friends and followers a Happy Lunar New Year and we wish you happiness, health and good fortune for the year ahead.
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