Sylvia Chang
BBC You
China is ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
According to the Chinese horoscope, February 16/17 marks the end of the Year of the Snake and the beginning of the Year of the Horse.
Shopping malls in Chinese cities are filled with horse-themed decorations for days, billboards are adorned with holiday greetings, and phone screens are filled with horse emojis and red envelopes, symbols of good luck in which money is given during the holidays.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, is celebrated for 15 days, and the celebration ends with the Lantern Festival.
For many Chinese, it represents more than just the beginning of a new year.
It is a shared moment to send blessings, make wishes, and set goals for the coming year.
But what is behind the tradition of the Lunar New Year and why is there special interest in this year's zodiac sign?
Watch an earlier video: Everything you need to know about Chinese New Year
How does the Chinese horoscope work?
To understand the year of the Fire Horse, it is necessary to clarify two common misconceptions.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the new year according to the Chinese horoscope does not begin on January 1st.
It follows the traditional lunisolar calendar whose date indicates both the lunar month and the time of the solar year.
Each lunar New Year falls between January 21 and February 20, usually on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
This means that when we say "2026 is the year of the Horse," it only refers to the period from the Lunar New Year onwards.
Another common misconception is that the horoscope repeats every 12 years.
This is true for the animal sign, but the traditional system of celestial trees and earthly branches repeats itself every 60 years.
This is because each year represents a combination of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and one of the five elements - metal, water, wood, fire, and earth - and their yin/yang polarities.
The same combination repeats itself every 60 years.
This year's couple is known as Bing Wu, and represents the combination of yang fire and the Horse.
What does the Fire Horse symbolize?
In the Chinese horoscope, the Fire Horse is considered a strong combination, with the yang fire symbolizing activity and passion, and the horse representing independence and action.
In Chinese culture, expressions representing horses are used to convey messages of quick success, taking the lead, and momentum, especially in a business setting.
By 2026, horse symbolism is likely to appear frequently in workplace speeches, presentations and email correspondence, Christian Yao, a senior lecturer at the School of Management at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, told the BBC.
Such language in the work environment becomes a tool of "soft management," encouraging employees to reflect the proactive and quick-witted traits of the Fire Horse, he adds.
Commercialization of the Chinese horoscope
Although the Chinese horoscope is rooted in ancient tradition, it is now widely accepted in contemporary culture, celebrated in urban areas, on the internet, and in advertising campaigns.
In cities across China, Lunar New Year celebrations are increasingly becoming grand visual spectacles.
Horoscope motifs appear on the lighting of shopping areas, transportation hubs, and famous buildings.
Horoscope motifs have become common features on product packaging.
Many brands are offering gift boxes for the Year of the Horse, while the color red and horse motifs are present in marketing campaigns for luxury goods, skincare products, food, and beverages.
The Year of the Fire Horse has also become an important topic in the field of artificial intelligence and technology, as it is believed that during this period, artificial intelligence could gain greater investor confidence and stimulate economic growth.
Financial reports mention that "capital is accelerating in the year of the Horse," and that "the artificial intelligence industry is galloping forward," while some analysts believe that the Fire Horse, which symbolizes growth, could create opportunities for economic uncertainty in the world.
Travel craze during New Year's holiday
Millions of Chinese who work far from their hometowns return home only once a year, for the Lunar New Year celebration, as it is the most important period for family reunions.
A record 9,5 billion trips within China are expected during this year's holiday.
This annual travel fever is often described as the largest human migration in the world.
Although the Horse symbolizes efficiency and fast movement, many who travel during the holidays face overloaded transportation systems, ticket shortages, and rising travel costs, while service sector employees have extended working hours.
Some social media users are questioning who can actually benefit from the opportunities and advancements associated with the Fire Horse.
Young people joke that they are actually "lame horses trapped in ticket purchasing apps," while others say they are not racing, but rather being pushed forward by circumstances.
Many young people today use animal metaphors to briefly describe their business lives.
In business and official environments, they repeat phrases about speed, momentum, and "galloping success" in the year of the Horse.
And at the same time they describe themselves as "niuma", which literally means "horse" and is a slang term for an overworked work animal.
"The simultaneous use of these two languages reflects the most typical tension in today's Chinese work environment: the need to maintain an optimistic narrative in public while privately acknowledging burnout and feelings of powerlessness," says Yao.
Watch a video about the Chinese Year of the Snake that just ended
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