Chinese New Year 2026: Why is it the year of the Fire Horse?

NEW Year is the biggest and most important celebration on the Chinese calendar.

The animal associated with your birth year on the Chinese Zodiac can reveal a great deal about your character, as well as what’s in store for the coming year.

The last year of the Fire Horse was 1966

Chinese New Year celebrations begin on the first new moon of the lunar year and last for 15 daysCredit: Alamy

When is Chinese New Year 2026?

Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Wednesday, February 17.

Unlike the fixed date of the Western New Year, the date of Chinese New Year varies because it follows the traditional lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian one.

The celebration begins on the first new moon of the lunar year and lasts for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.

Families across China and the world mark the festival with reunions, traditional food, fireworks and symbolic decorations.

These are meant to bring prosperity, happiness and luck for the year ahead.

Why is 2026 the Chinese Zodiac year of the Fire Horse?

According to the Chinese zodiac, each year corresponds to one of twelve animals:

• Rat
• Ox
• Tiger
• Rabbit
• Dragon
• Snake
• Horse
• Goat
• Monkey
• Rooster
• Dog
• Pig

As well as this animal cycle, there is a repeating sequence of the five elements:

• Wood
• Fire
• Earth
• Metal
• Water

These combine with the animals to form a 60-year cycle.

So the last year of the Fire Horse came when England hosted and won the World Cup – back in 1966.

The Horse is the seventh animal in the zodiac and symbolises energy, independence and a free spirit.

Those born under this sign are often described as adventurous, quick-witted and enthusiastic.

But on the downside, they can also be impulsive and restless.

When the element of Fire merges with the Horse, these qualities become even more intense.

Fire adds passion, ambition, creativity and a vibrant energy to the year’s character.

In Chinese tradition, the Fire Horse carries a special reputation.

Historically, people considered it a particularly powerful and somewhat volatile sign.

Its fiery nature is said to amplify the Horse’s innate drive for independence and movement, making it a transformative and disruptive force.

This combination of traits suggests that 2026 will be a year of bold transformation, social change and creative growth.

For individuals, it may encourage courage and personal reinvention.

While for societies as a whole, it could herald technical advancement and decisive shifts in direction.