Happy Lunar New Year – welcome to the Year of the Horse!
Now that we’ve celebrated the start to the calendar year, it’s time to honor the Lunar New Year! The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China and other Asian countries – similar to Christmas in the U.S. Since it’s based around the moon’s cycles, the date varies, and the Lunar New Year can start anywhere from January 21 to February 20.
In 2026, we kick off the Year of the Horse on February 17!
2026 Year of the Horse
The animal associated with each year shares telling traits with those honored in the lunar year. When the 2026 Year of the Horse kicks off, we’ll be celebrating people born most recently in the years 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026. Those born under the horse sign are known for being energetic, hardworking, sociable and optimistic.
Legend holds that Buddha asked all animals to meet him on New Year’s Day to celebrate, but only 12 came: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (ram or goat), monkey rooster, dog and pig (or boar). To reward them, he named a year after each animal – and New Year’s Day marks the start of a new animal’s reign.
Out with the old, in with the new
When the clock strikes midnight, firecrackers will be set off to drive out 2025 (Year of the Snake), and welcome in 2026 as the Year of the Horse.
As the Lunar New Year begins, gifts are bought and celebrations begin. Traditions include the “sweeping of the grounds” – a top-to-bottom cleaning of one’s house to remove any lingering bad luck from the home. To honor red as the color of luck, family members gift red envelopes that hold money on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
As we welcome in the Year of the Horse, I’m sending wishes for happiness, health, prosperity and good fortune to you and yours throughout 2026!
