Lunar New Year 2026 falls on February 17, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse.
The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It symbolizes energy, enthusiasm, and independence. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be active, energetic, and love to be in the spotlight.
Lunar New Year is celebrated with various traditions, including family reunions, elaborate meals, cleaning homes to sweep away bad luck, and decorating with red items to ward off evil spirits. Firecrackers and lion dances are also common to scare away the mythical beast Nian.
Traditional foods include dumplings (symbolizing wealth), fish (for abundance), sweet rice balls (for togetherness), and oranges (for luck). Each dish has a symbolic meaning related to prosperity and good fortune.
The celebration typically lasts for 16 days, starting from New Year's Eve and ending with the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar.
