The horse is known for its speed, stamina and stubborn streak.
In 2026, that spirit takes centre stage in the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse — more specifically the Red Horse or Fire Horse  — as the Lunar New Year kicks off on February 17.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world will welcome the new year and celebrate the 15-day Lunar New Year festival.
Across cultures, horses have long symbolised strength, endurance and freedom.
In Chinese legend, stories tell of “thousand-mile horses”, believed to be so powerful they could travel vast distances in a single day.Â
They were often portrayed as the loyal mounts of emperors and heroes.
The “crying horse” plush toys were the result of a manufacturing error.(Reuters: Nicoco Chana)
Beyond myth and literature, horses played a central role in human civilisation.Â
They powered transport, trade and postal systems long before modern travel.
In contemporary China, the horse has taken on a different meaning among younger generations.
Many white-collar workers describe themselves as “niu ma” — which literally means oxen and horses.Â
The phrase is self-deprecating, referring to long hours, heavy workloads and relatively modest pay.
That mood recently went viral in the form of a plush toy: a small horse with its mouth accidentally stitched upside down.
The so-called “crying horse” struck a chord with young consumers, who said it captured their workplace mood more honestly than a smiling design.
Even in a year associated with drive and momentum, the horse has become a reflection of modern workplace pressure.
Where is Lunar New Year celebrated?
In Vietnam, lion dancing is also a tradition during the celebration of Lunar New Year.(Reuters: Stringer)
While it is central to Chinese communities globally, the festival is also deeply important to communities across much of Asia.
In South Korea, the festival is known as Seollal. Families gather, perform ancestral rites and eat traditional foods such as rice cake soup.
In Vietnam, the holiday is called Tết. It centres on family reunions, festive meals and rituals welcoming good fortune.
Celebrations also take place in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, marked by street festivals, temple visits and shared meals.
2026 is the Year of the Horse.(Reuters: Carlos Barria)
While traditions vary, the themes remain consistent: renewal, prosperity and hope for the year ahead.
In Australia, Christmas Island is the only jurisdiction where Lunar New Year is a public holiday.
What are the zodiac animals?
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal.
According to folklore, the Jade Emperor determined the zodiac order through a great river race. The first 12 animals to make it across secured their place in the cycle.
The cycle runs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
In Vietnamese zodiac, the buffalo stands in place of the ox, and the cat replaces the rabbit.
Each year is linked to personality traits, and people born in that year are believed to share those qualities.
Beyond the animals, the traditional calendar also rotates through five elements — metal, wood, water, fire and earth — creating a 60-year cycle before repeating.
Which animal are you? Here are the birth years for each sign:
ZodiacYearsRat1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020…Ox / Buffalo1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021…Tiger1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022…Rabbit / Cat1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023…Dragon1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024…Snake1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025…Horse1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026…Goat1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027…Monkey1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028…Rooster1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029…Dog1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030…Pig1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031…What does feng shui say about 2026?
Some people also look to feng shui and traditional fortune readings for guidance in the year ahead, though these interpretations are cultural beliefs rather than scientific forecasts.
James Zheng, a Melbourne-based feng shui practitioner, said 2026 and 2027 were associated with the element of fire — making this year a Fire Horse or Red Horse year.
Mr Zheng said traditionally Red Horse years were “not considered auspicious”.
He said similar years had coincided with natural disasters and conflict.
“Looking back at 1966, 1906 and 1846, there is a recurring pattern of political instability,” he said.
Mr Zheng said he believed the coming years would require adaptability, particularly amid rapid technological change and shifting global systems.
He also stressed the importance of emotional wellbeing.
James Zheng has been practising feng shui for decades in Australia.(ABC: Jason Fang)
“Managing emotions will be critical, as rising stress levels and mental health challenges may create additional pressures,” he said.
“Looking after your health is essential — only with good health can your career, finances and family life remain stable.”
Ballarat tai chi teacher Jack Yang offered some advice for people who wanted luck in 2026.
“Never do something extreme,” he said.
“Don’t go too fast, of course, don’t slow down too much.
“Just keep a balance and then you will have good luck.”
Across Australia, cities host Lunar New Year festivals featuring lion dances, lantern displays, food markets and cultural performances.
However you mark it, the Year of the Horse signals a new beginning — and a year defined by movement, drive and change.
Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Australia?Sydney and NSW
A 15-metre Chinese dragon dances up the eastern arch of the Harbour Bridge to welcome in the Chinese New Year of the Horse in Sydney on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.(AAP: Nikki Short)February 14Â
Sydney Lunar Streets festival, Haymarket
February 16Â
Lunar New Year night market, Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley
February 17 to March 1
Lunar New Year celebrations, various events around Darling Harbour including the Chinese Garden
February 20
Lunar New Year celebration, Parramatta Square, Parramatta
February 21Â
Lunar New Year festival, Hurstville and Hurstville Plaza, Hurstville
February 21Â
Lunar New Year celebration, Boronia Park, Epping
February 21
Lunar New Year celebration, various locations including Burwood Road, Ford Lane, Clarendon Place, Chinatown, in Burwood
February 21 and 22
Lunar New Year celebration , the Concourse Square and surrounding areas, Chatswood
February 28Â
Lunar New Year festival, Koreatown and Eastwood Oval, Eastwood
February 28Â
Lunar New Year festival, Arthur Street, Cabramatta
Melbourne and VIC
The Year of Ox lunar new year celebrations have been scaled back in many cities within Australia. 2/02/2020(ABC News: Jarrod Fankhauser)February 14Â
Lunar New Year celebrations, Dai Gum San Precinct, Bendigo
February 15Â
Lunar New Year festival, Buckingham, Balmoral and Windsor Avenue, Springvale
February 20Â
Lunar New Year festival, Queen Victoria Market, MelbourneÂ
February 21Â
Lunar New Year festival, Bank Street, Box Hill
February 21Â
Lunar New Year event, Melbourne Museum, Carlton
February 21Â and 22
Lunar New Year celebrations, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
February 22
Lunar New Year festival, Melbourne Chinatown, Russell Street, MelbourneÂ
February 28 to March 1
Vietnamese Tết Lunar festival, Footscray Park, Ballarat Road, Footscray
March 1Â
Lunar New Year and Lantern festival, Kingsway, Glen Waverley
Brisbane and QLD
A girl visits by an area decorated with lanterns ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year festivity at Yu Garden, following the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Shanghai, China, January 28, 2022. (Reuters: Aly Song)February 13 to 22
Lunar New Year festival, BrisAsia, various events and locations across Brisbane
February 13 to March 8
Lunar New Year celebrations, Cairns Cultural Precinct and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns
February 14Â
Lunar New Year celebration, Caboolture Town Square, Moreton Bay
February 16 to 22
Lunar New Year celebrations, Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park, Sunnybank
February 21 and 22
Lunar New Year events, Brisbane Chinatown, Chinatown Mall, Brunswick Street Mall and the wider Valley precinct, Fortitude Valley
February 21 Â
Lunar New Year celebrations, Davenport Street and Young Street, Southport, Gold CoastÂ
Canberra
In Japan, China and many other Asian cultures, cats are believed to be an omen of good luck and fortune.(Pexels: Rdne stock project)February 21Â
Lunar New Year celebrations, Woolley Street, DicksonÂ
Perth
Red is the auspicious colour of the season as it symbolises good fortune and luck.(Supplied: Pexels)February 14Â
Festival Under the Red Lanterns, East Perth Power Station, East Perth
February 21
Lunar New Year celebration, Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade, Perth
February 21 and 22Â
Lunar New Year celebrations, Yagan Square, Perth
February 22Â
Chinese New Year Fair, James Street and Lake Street, Northbridge, Perth
Adelaide
Festivities at Chinese New Year to celebrate the Lunar New Year.(AAP: City of Melbourne/David Hannah)February 17Â
Lunar New Year celebration, Adelaide Arcade, AdelaideÂ
February 20 and 21Â
Lunar New Year celebrations, Adelaide Central Market, AdelaideÂ
February 21Â
Lunar New Year street party, Chinatown, AdelaideÂ
Hobart
Lunar New Year celebrations lasts for 15 days and ends when the full moon appears.(Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha)February 22Â
Lunar New Year celebration, Parliament Lawns, Hobart
Darwin
Parents and grandparents commonly gift younger relatives with red envelopes containing an amount of money. (Supplied: Pexels)February 14Â
Spring Festival celebration, Cavenagh Street, Darwin