Chinese New Year is a festival celebrated every year in China and by Chinese communities worldwide. It is also called Lunar New Year because the celebration dates follow the phases of the moon, or the lunar calendar.
Chinese New Year began many centuries ago. According to legend, a mythical monster named Nian (meaning Year) would attack a village at the beginning of each year. The monster feared loud noises, bright lights (like firecrackers) and the color red. The villagers would set off fireworks and use red decorations to fend off the beast. Over time, the Chinese New Year became a festival welcoming a brand-new year.
Many traditions are still followed, such as preparing special foods to share with family and friends, lighting firecrackers and fireworks, hanging glowing red lanterns, attending a festive parade featuring a dragon dance and honoring past loved ones and ancestors. Families wish each other good luck, good fortune, happiness and prosperity.
The Chinese New Year is based on a 12-year cycle of zodiac animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Every 12 years, the cycle is repeated.
In Western astrology, the band or belt of sky is divided into 12 constellations, which are used in astrology (the belief that celestial bodies influence human existence and events on Earth) to determine your zodiac sign based on when you were born. The 12 zodiac signs are: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn. Do you know your zodiac sign?
The Year of the Horse is the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac. The year 2026 is especially significant because it is the Year of the Fire Horse. Occurring only once every 60 years, the Fire Horse (also known as the Red Horse) is considered a rare and memorable event. Previous Fire Horse years include 1906 and 1966.
The Fire Horse symbolizes the powerful combination of the fire element’s passion and intensity with the horse’s energy, strength, and enthusiasm in the Chinese zodiac.
馬
马
Here is the word horse in traditional (top) and simplified (bottom) Chinese characters.
The history of horses has spanned millions of years. They originated in the grasslands of North America more than 55 million years ago. As they migrated across continents, they were domesticated for transportation, agriculture and warfare. Through trade routes, they arrived in China.
Horses are considered highly valuable for their strength, power and speed. They have had a profound effect on human civilization.
Check out this list curated for horse enthusiasts.
Happy Chinese New Year!
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