Incredibly complex, the Chinese zodiac calendar is best described as a 12-year cycle represented by 12 animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Your personal zodiac animal sign is determined by your year of birth, meaning 2026 will welcome plenty of baby Horses. Children born in the last lunar calendar year were Snakes, while those born on or after the Lunar New Year in 2027 will be Goats, and so on.
And every year, a heavenly stem (one of five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is paired with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals). This year, the heavenly stem is “Bing” (big sun) and the earthly branch is “Wu” (the Horse), making it the Year of the Fire Horse.
Followers believe that for each Chinese zodiac sign, luck will depend largely on the positions of the Tai Sui — a collective name for the stellar deities thought to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter.
Geomancy masters may interpret the data differently, but there is usually a consensus on what the year means for each zodiac animal based on the positions of the stars.
For many followers, the Lunar New Year is an ideal time to visit a temple to make blessings depending on what the stars have to say about their particular zodiac sign for the coming months.
Why light firecrackers and wear red? Meet Nian
There are countless folktales attached to Lunar New Year, but the myth of Nian stands out as one of the most fun.
According to the legend, every Lunar New Year’s Eve this ferocious underwater beast with sharp teeth and horns would crawl onto the land and attack a nearby village.
On one such occasion, as the villagers rushed into hiding, a mysterious old man showed up and insisted on sticking around despite warnings of impending doom.
To the villagers’ surprise, the old man and the village survived utterly unscathed.
The man claimed to have scared Nian away by hanging red banners on his door, lighting firecrackers and donning red clothing.
This is why wearing the fiery color, along with hanging banners and lighting firecrackers or fireworks, are Lunar New Year traditions, all of which are still followed today.
The preparation
Like many major holidays, Lunar New Year can be a lot of work. Festivities often last for 15 days — sometimes even more — with different tasks and activities taking place over that period.
It all begins about a week ahead of the new year.
To kick things off, festive cakes and puddings are made on the 24th day of the last lunar month (February 11 in 2026). Why? The word for cakes and puddings is gao in Mandarin and gou in Cantonese, which sound the same as the word for “tall.”
That means eating these treats is believed to lead to improvements and growth in the coming year. (If you haven’t prepared your own “gou” yet, here’s an easy recipe for radish cake, a beloved Lunar New Year dish.)
And don’t forget about our friend Nian. No Lunar New Year preparation would be complete without the hanging of red banners bearing auspicious phrases and idioms (called fai chun in Cantonese and chunlian in Mandarin) at home — beginning with one’s front door.
These will perform double duty — keep Nian away and invite good fortune.
Chinese New Year 2026 predictions
2026, starting Feb 17, is the Year of the Fire Horse, bringing intense energy, rapid change, passion, and bold action. It promises breakthroughs, career growth, and travel, but also risks impulsivity, burnout, and volatility. Success requires balancing speed with calm and planning. Here is a deeper breakdown of the 2026 Chinese New Year predictions:
1. Key Themes of the Fire Horse Year
• Speed and Momentum: The year will feel fast-paced, favoring quick decisions and rapid results.
• Passion & Intensity: The Fire element magnifies the Horse’s natural energy, leading to high ambition but also potential restlessness.
• Bold Changes: Expect major shifts in career, finance, and personal freedom.
• “Clash” Energy: Because it is a powerful year, it may feel volatile; flexibility and having backup plans (“be like water”) are advised.
2. General Zodiac Outlook (2026)
• Horses (Ben Ming Nian): It is your year; expect big changes, spotlight moments, and a need to manage health and emotions closely.
• Lucky Signs: Dog, Pig, and Tiger align well with the Horse, seeing opportunities in leadership, business, and politics.
• Lucky Signs: Dragon is expected to have strong success and prosperity.
• Challenging Signs: Rats are in a direct “Tai Sui Clash,” requiring caution, stability, and avoiding risks.
3. Tips to Navigate 2026
• Color Magic: Wear red, orange, electric blue, and purple to boost vitality and align with the year’s energy.
• Balance Intensity: Pair high-energy activity with recovery habits like meditation, breathwork, and solid sleep.•
Seek Stability: Focus on steady management rather than chaotic expansion.
• Cultivate Joy: Engaging in happy milestones (weddings, new homes) is believed to ward off negativity.
In summary, 2026 is a year to chase dreams confidently but cautiously, avoiding reckless impulses.