Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, is a very important day in Chinese culture, and here is what you need to know in order to celebrate with our international students here at KO.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing perseverance and success, along with freedom, hard work, and an adventurous nature. The Fire Horse only reoccurs every 60 years, and 2026’s significant traits are amplifying passion, speed, and forward momentum.
The 60-year cycle is complex, so here is what to know. There are 12 animal signs, including the Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger, Snake, Dragon, Monkey, Goat, Horse, Pig, and Dog. Along with the animal signs come five elements: Fire, Wood, Earth, Metal, and Water. Twelve times five equals 60, making the year of the Fire Horse a very special event. The last year of the Fire Horse was in 1966, making observing the Fire Horse a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The beginning of 2026 is still the Year of the Snake, as the Year of the Fire Horse doesn’t begin until Feb. 17, 2026. The moon determines the dates of the Lunar New Year, and the celebrations begin with a new moon. The festival is 16 days long and ends on the date of the next full moon, which this year is March 3, 2026.
A quarter of the world’s population celebrates the Lunar New Year. While also known as the Chinese New Year, the celebrations aren’t only in China. The Lunar New Year is celebrated all throughout Asia, but most prominently in China, Vietnam, and South Korea. There are also significant celebrations in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Buddhist and Hindu calendars include the Lunar New Year, making celebrations prominent in India as well.
The New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a public holiday where most Chinese people get eight days off from work to travel and celebrate. The belief is that what you do on New Year’s Eve will affect your upcoming year. Staying up until midnight and wishing your friends and family a new year is a tradition that guarantees luck. Little red packets are given to the kids and elders to wish away the demon Nian.
There are lots of taboos surrounding the New Year. Here is what to avoid. All negative words, both cursing and wishing ill upon another, are a huge taboo because the belief is that you would bring misfortune to yourself and your family. Breaking something symbolizes breaking your fortune, which is very bad luck. While cleaning is a good idea before the festival begins to get rid of the bad luck, cleaning during the festival is considered taboo, as you could be sweeping or throwing away good luck. Sharp objects are forbidden as they will cut the stream of wealth and success coming in the New Year.
The New Year’s Eve feast is incredibly important to the Chinese. All family members must get together, and if they can’t, a seat will be left empty with a set of utensils. Every region has different customs, but here are the most popular dishes to ring in the New Year. Spring Rolls are one of the most common Chinese foods and are eaten during the festivals in southern China. Dumplings are northern China’s version of Spring Rolls and are significant in the celebration of the New Year. Noodles are a food eaten to show one’s wishes for prosperity. In Chinese, fish has the same pronunciation as extra. This symbolizes surplus and wealth for the New Year. As the New Year celebrates the coming of spring, the Chinese enjoy all the extra vegetables they stored during the winter because it’s now time to plant new seeds.
The Lunar New Year is a time to avoid taboos, but more importantly, a time to ring in the new year with family and friends.
