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via Business Week
Lunar New Year, known in China as Spring Festival - chunjie - and often called "Chinese New Year", marks the beginning of the new year in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar.
As Lunar New Year celebrations begin around the world, 2026 ushers in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of forward movement, independence, and endurance. This year ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare, blazing return that only comes once every 60 years.
Celebrated across China, Vietnam, South Korea, Tibet and much of Southeast Asia, as well as in communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is one of the world’s most significant cultural events, observed by billions.
In 2026, it coincides with a new moon and a solar eclipse, intensifying themes of fresh starts and transformation.
via Google Images Archive
Each new year has been named for one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which repeat in a 12-year cycle. In Chinese astrology, each of the zodiac animals are believed to have distinct traits which are supposedly reflected in people born in that corresponding year.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, each year represented by an animal: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each year also corresponds to one of five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, or earth.
Combining the 12 animals with the five elements forms a 60-year cycle. The Heavenly Stem for 2026 is bing (Fire), and the Earthly Branch (dizhi ) is wu (Horse), making 2026 a bing-wu year, also called the Year of the Fire Horse (huoma or the Red Horse (hongma).
Fo example the last bing-wu Fire Horse year was 1966, the current one is 2026, and the next one will be 2086.
Year of the Fire Horse
credits: AdobeStock
In 2026, Lunar New Year begins on 17 February, ushering in the Year of the Horse. For this year’s celebrations, fire horse symbols will be omnipresent, adorning festival decorations, as well as envelopes, cards, and wrapping paper that accompany Lunar New Year gifts.
Beyond festivities, the Lunar New Year period is devoted to honouring ancestors, and reconnecting with friends and relatives.
What means the Year of the Horse ?
The horse is revered in Chinese culture due to its long-standing roles in agriculture, transport, and warfare, says Jonathan H. X. Lee, Asian studies professor at San Francisco State University.
However, in the Chinese zodiac, this galloping animal symbolizes : strength, grace, endurance, loyalty, freedom, and success. Its strength, Lee explains, represents possibilities for personal growth and success.
Year of the Fire Horse
credits: Freepick
According to Lee, this is exemplified by the Chinese idiom: When the horse arrives, success arrives.
“The horse’s energy is associated with yang energy, which is active, dynamic, and life-generating, and speaks to ambition and vitality.”
In Chinese astrology, Horse years favor decisive action and independence, while also warning against impulsiveness.
Why is Lunar Year in 2026 Later than usual ?
The late arrival of Lunar New Year in 2026 is due to a leap month in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. In 2025, an extra intercalary month -run liuyue means the 12th lunar month is shorter. This shifts the 2026 Spring festival into mid-February, significantly later than in most years.
credits: Sipa USA/AAP Image
- Lucky Colours:
💟Lucky : Green, blue, pink, purple, with small accents of red (balance Fire energy and support prosperity). These cooler colours are thought to balance the strong fire energy of the year, helping to calm the atmosphere and stabilise the flow of wealth.
👎Avoid : While red is traditionally auspicious, some interpretations suggest limiting very bright reds in a Fire Horse year (bright orange-red). These colours excessively activate in a Fire Horse year – adding fuel to the fire, potentially manifesting as impulsive expenditure, irritability or even financial loss.
However, red remains an auspicious colour in Chinese cultural practice; when used in moderation it can harmonise with the year’s Fire element and support career advancement and significant financial gains.
Dr Xiaohuan Zhao
- Education:
As you see history and interculturality are very important. Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension.
Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.
A good moment to talk about Lunar New Year - Year of the Fire Horse with students. Perhaps have you some Asian students in your classes.
Invite all of students to a concrete action supporting diversity aims:
- To raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion.
- To build a world community of individuals committed to support diversity with real and every day-life gestures.
- If you have Asian students in your classroom, invite them to share their own family traditions to celebrate the New Lunar Year.
Cultural and linguistic diversity, local traditions are interesting subjects to include and discuss into school curricula by using science to explain why Asian people call their new year, Lunar Year, inviting students to deepen their knowledge using social media in the classroom.
Learners are curious about other cultures and traditions. Let students participate in different activities by doing ONE thing for diversity.
- Values: traditions, family, friends, honor old people. And of course, sensitivity, prosperity and peace.
- Celebration at your school the Lunar New Year:
Students and teachers are invited to attend Year of the Horse celebrations at the Student Lounge on (day will depends from each teacher) February from 5pm (?), for example. Celebrations will include Asian food, some performances, as well as paper lantern making and calligraphy.
Resources:
United Nations : Stamps
New commemorative marking this special occasion
Google doodle:
Lunar New year 2026
This Doodle celebrates the Lunar New Year with a focus on the year of the fire horse. Occurring only once every 60 years, the Fire Horse zodiac is known for its dynamic and independent spirit—bringing a year filled with passion, drive, and the momentum to chase your dreams.
“Let us continue to advance our shared commitment to peace, dignity, and sustainable development for all.”
@antonioguterres as we welcome the Year of the Horse.
G-Souto 17.02.2026
copyright © 2026G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com
Schools : Here comes the Lunar Year 2026 : Year of the Fire Horse ! Traditions, history & interculturality ! Resources by GinaSouto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
sources: The University of Sydney/ San Francisco State University/ National Geographic/ G-Souto's Blog
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