The Chinese New Year 2026 will begin on February 17 and will begin the cycle of the Fire Horse, a symbol of strength, freedom and elegance.
Chinese New Year 2026, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, will mark the beginning of a new cycle full of strength, freedom and elegance. The celebration will be governed by the Fire Horsea combination of the Chinese zodiac that promises a year full of passion and transformation.
When does Chinese New Year 2026 start?
Unlike the Western calendar, which sets the beginning of the year on December 31, Chinese tradition follows a lunar calendar, which causes the date of the New Year to vary each year.
Chinese New Year 2026 will begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 and will conclude February 5, 2027with a duration of approximately 354 days. The date is defined from the second new moon after the winter solstice, marking the official start of the new lunar cycle.
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Meaning of the Fire Horse in Chinese astrology
The Chinese New Year 2026 will be governed by the Fire Horsea symbol of energy, vitality and free spirit. In the Chinese zodiac, the horse occupies seventh place among the 12 animals, and its presence in a year indicates dynamism, movement and the search for independence and new horizons.
The element firewhich accompanies the horse in 2026, provides characteristics such as passion, creativity and transformation. This combination is interpreted as a period conducive to action, entrepreneurship and making bold decisions, where personal initiative and determination are key to achieving success.
Culturally, the horse also symbolizes physical and mental strength, freedom of spirit and elegance in behavior, which is why it is considered a year of significant change and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. According to Chinese astrology, those born under the influence of the horse are brave, active and adaptable, and it is believed that this year’s events will have a similar energy, driving people to overcome challenges with creativity and optimism.
Chinese New Year ritual and traditions
During this ancient festival, various rituals are carried out that seek to close a cycle and prepare the home for the new year:
- Cleansing ritual: Thoroughly clean homes to eliminate negative energies.
- Coin ritual: Place coins in a red bag for several days to attract prosperity and savings.
- Rice ritual: Place a spoonful of raw rice daily for ten days and light a white candle at the end to symbolize abundance.
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Yellow flower ritual: Decorate spaces with flowers of this color as a symbol of good fortune.
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Colors associated with Chinese New Year 2026
This year’s predominant colors are red, golden and greeneach one with a special meaning:
- Red: good fortune and fire, ruling element of the year.
- Golden: abundance and prosperity.
- Green: renewal and balance.
The fire element indicates that 2026 will be a year of passion, transformation and opportunities for personal and professional growthmarking possible significant changes in people’s lives.
