{"id":477926,"date":"2026-02-13T19:12:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T19:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477926\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T19:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T19:12:18","slug":"what-to-know-about-the-year-of-the-horse-and-lunar-new-year-celebrations-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477926\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about the Year of the Horse and Lunar New Year celebrations in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

The horse is known for its speed, stamina and stubborn streak.<\/p>\n

In 2026, that spirit takes centre stage in the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse \u2014 more specifically the Red Horse or Fire Horse \u00a0\u2014 as the Lunar New Year kicks off on February 17.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of millions of people around the world will welcome the new year and celebrate the 15-day Lunar New Year festival.<\/p>\n

Across cultures, horses have long symbolised strength, endurance and freedom.<\/p>\n

In Chinese legend, stories tell of “thousand-mile horses”, believed to be so powerful they could travel vast distances in a single day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They were often portrayed as the loyal mounts of emperors and heroes.<\/p>\n

\"Four The “crying horse” plush toys were the result of a manufacturing error.(Reuters: Nicoco Chana)<\/p>\n

Beyond myth and literature, horses played a central role in human civilisation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They powered transport, trade and postal systems long before modern travel.<\/p>\n

In contemporary China, the horse has taken on a different meaning among younger generations.<\/p>\n

Many white-collar workers describe themselves as “niu ma” \u2014 which literally means oxen and horses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The phrase is self-deprecating, referring to long hours, heavy workloads and relatively modest pay.<\/p>\n

That mood recently went viral in the form of a plush toy: a small horse with its mouth accidentally stitched upside down.<\/a><\/p>\n

The so-called “crying horse” struck a chord with young consumers, who said it captured their workplace mood more honestly than a smiling design.<\/p>\n

Even in a year associated with drive and momentum, the horse has become a reflection of modern workplace pressure.<\/p>\n

Where is Lunar New Year celebrated?\"A In Vietnam, lion dancing is also a tradition during the celebration of Lunar New Year.(Reuters: Stringer)<\/p>\n

While it is central to Chinese communities globally, the festival is also deeply important to communities across much of Asia.<\/p>\n

In South Korea, the festival is known as Seollal. Families gather, perform ancestral rites and eat traditional foods such as rice cake soup.<\/p>\n

In Vietnam, the holiday is called T\u1ebft. It centres on family reunions, festive meals and rituals welcoming good fortune.<\/p>\n

Celebrations also take place in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, marked by street festivals, temple visits and shared meals.<\/p>\n

\"A 2026 is the Year of the Horse.(Reuters: Carlos Barria)<\/p>\n

While traditions vary, the themes remain consistent: renewal, prosperity and hope for the year ahead.<\/p>\n

In Australia, Christmas Island is the only jurisdiction where Lunar New Year is a public holiday.<\/p>\n

What are the zodiac animals?<\/p>\n

The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The cycle runs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.<\/p>\n

In Vietnamese zodiac, the buffalo stands in place of the ox, and the cat replaces the rabbit.<\/p>\n

Each year is linked to personality traits, and people born in that year are believed to share those qualities.<\/p>\n

Beyond the animals, the traditional calendar also rotates through five elements \u2014 metal, wood, water, fire and earth \u2014 creating a 60-year cycle before repeating.<\/p>\n

Which animal are you? Here are the birth years for each sign:<\/p>\n

ZodiacYearsRat1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020\u2026Ox \/ Buffalo1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021\u2026Tiger1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022\u2026Rabbit \/ Cat1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023\u2026Dragon1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024\u2026Snake1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025\u2026Horse1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026\u2026Goat1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027\u2026Monkey1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028\u2026Rooster1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029\u2026Dog1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030\u2026Pig1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031\u2026What does feng shui say about 2026?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

James Zheng, a Melbourne-based feng shui practitioner, said 2026 and 2027 were associated with the element of fire \u2014 making this year a Fire Horse or Red Horse year.<\/p>\n

Mr Zheng said traditionally Red Horse years were “not considered auspicious”.<\/p>\n

He said similar years had coincided with natural disasters and conflict.<\/p>\n

“Looking back at 1966, 1906 and 1846, there is a recurring pattern of political instability,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Zheng said he believed the coming years would require adaptability, particularly amid rapid technological change and shifting global systems.<\/p>\n

He also stressed the importance of emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\n

\" James Zheng has been practising feng shui for decades in Australia.(ABC: Jason Fang)<\/p>\n

“Managing emotions will be critical, as rising stress levels and mental health challenges may create additional pressures,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Looking after your health is essential \u2014 only with good health can your career, finances and family life remain stable.”<\/p>\n

Ballarat tai chi teacher Jack Yang offered some advice for people who wanted luck in 2026.<\/p>\n

“Never do something extreme,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Don’t go too fast, of course, don’t slow down too much.<\/p>\n

“Just keep a balance and then you will have good luck.”<\/p>\n

Across Australia, cities host Lunar New Year festivals featuring lion dances, lantern displays, food markets and cultural performances.<\/p>\n

However you mark it, the Year of the Horse signals a new beginning \u2014 and a year defined by movement, drive and change.<\/p>\n

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Australia?Sydney and NSW\"A 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 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sydney Lunar Streets festival, Haymarket<\/p>\n

February 16\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year night market, Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley<\/p>\n

February 17 to March 1<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, various events around Darling Harbour including the Chinese Garden<\/p>\n

February 20<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Parramatta Square, Parramatta<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Hurstville and Hurstville Plaza, Hurstville<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Boronia Park, Epping<\/p>\n

February 21<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, various locations including Burwood Road, Ford Lane, Clarendon Place, Chinatown, in Burwood<\/p>\n

February 21 and 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration , the Concourse Square and surrounding areas, Chatswood<\/p>\n

February 28\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Koreatown and Eastwood Oval, Eastwood<\/p>\n

February 28\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Arthur Street, Cabramatta<\/p>\n

Melbourne and VIC\"Crowds 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 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Dai Gum San Precinct, Bendigo<\/p>\n

February 15\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Buckingham, Balmoral and Windsor Avenue, Springvale<\/p>\n

February 20\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne\u00a0<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Bank Street, Box Hill<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year event, Melbourne Museum, Carlton<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0and 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat<\/p>\n

February 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, Melbourne Chinatown, Russell Street, Melbourne\u00a0<\/p>\n

February 28 to March 1<\/p>\n

Vietnamese T\u1ebft Lunar festival, Footscray Park, Ballarat Road, Footscray<\/p>\n

March 1\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year and Lantern festival, Kingsway, Glen Waverley<\/p>\n

Brisbane and QLD\"A 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.\u00a0(Reuters: Aly Song)February 13 to 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year festival, BrisAsia, various events and locations across Brisbane<\/p>\n

February 13 to March 8<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Cairns Cultural Precinct and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns<\/p>\n

February 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Caboolture Town Square, Moreton Bay<\/p>\n

February 16 to 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park, Sunnybank<\/p>\n

February 21 and 22<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year events, Brisbane Chinatown, Chinatown Mall, Brunswick Street Mall and the wider Valley precinct, Fortitude Valley<\/p>\n

February 21 \u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Davenport Street and Young Street, Southport, Gold Coast\u00a0<\/p>\n

Canberra\"Golden 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 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Woolley Street, Dickson\u00a0<\/p>\n

Perth\"Traditional Red is\u00a0the auspicious colour of the season as it symbolises good fortune and luck.(Supplied: Pexels)February 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Festival Under the Red Lanterns, East Perth Power Station, East Perth<\/p>\n

February 21<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade, Perth<\/p>\n

February 21 and 22\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Yagan Square, Perth<\/p>\n

February 22\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chinese New Year Fair, James Street and Lake Street, Northbridge, Perth<\/p>\n

Adelaide\"Two Festivities at Chinese New Year to celebrate the Lunar New Year.(AAP: City of Melbourne\/David Hannah)February 17\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide\u00a0<\/p>\n

February 20 and 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebrations, Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide\u00a0<\/p>\n

February 21\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year street party, Chinatown, Adelaide\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hobart\"A Lunar New Year celebrations lasts for 15 days and ends when the full moon appears.(Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha)February 22\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year celebration, Parliament Lawns, Hobart<\/p>\n

Darwin\"Two Parents and grandparents commonly gift younger relatives with red envelopes containing an amount of money.\u00a0(Supplied: Pexels)February 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spring Festival celebration, Cavenagh Street, Darwin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The horse is known for its speed, stamina and stubborn streak. In 2026, that spirit takes centre stage…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":477927,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[10968,1724,64,63,96393,55173,94544,134,243123,4695,7770,243124,64617,243121,204670,5122,243122],"class_list":{"0":"post-477926","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-10968","9":"tag-asia","10":"tag-au","11":"tag-australia","12":"tag-celebrate","13":"tag-chinese-new-year","14":"tag-cny","15":"tag-entertainment","16":"tag-feng-shui","17":"tag-festivals","18":"tag-fire","19":"tag-fire-horse","20":"tag-horse","21":"tag-lny","22":"tag-lunar-new-year","23":"tag-red","24":"tag-year-of-the-horse"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=477926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477926\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/477927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=477926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=477926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=477926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}