Chinese New Year 2026: A Time for Reset
Gong xi fa cai! Behold the mighty horse with fire on its heels, galloping into the new year — Chinese New Year, that is! From the red lanterns dancing in the air to various flavors of tikoy on the table, the celebratory mood affects everyone, even those without Chinese roots.
The Horse is the zodiac animal of the 2026 Lunar New Year, which begins on the midnight of February 17 to February 5, 2027. It is the 7th animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, after the Snake (2026) and before the Goat (2027). The previous years under the Horse sign are 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026, while the next Horse sign will be in 2038. The 2026 Horse’s element is fire.
As is the nature of this animal, 2026 may be expected to have its highs and lows. The year may come charging in with good fortune and high energy, then come down with a solid thump. But whatever it is, the best approach would be to hold the reins tight and just enjoy the ride!
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Lunar New Year is all about reset and renewal. But before we dive into which zodiacs are auspicious this Year of the Fire Horse, it must be emphasized that the key personality traits that define this animal sign are strength, tenacity and intelligence. On the flip side, the Horse can be skittish, sensitive and, yes, mulish. To usher in luck, one must be smart enough to adapt to changes that will come this year, and have the courage to face all adversities and be able to move in the rapidly changing world. The Horse indicates speed, movement, breaking free from unfavorable situations. After what may have been a slow 2025, this Year of the Horse ushers a time for recovery— a clean slate—and a chance to implement a more balanced strategy in life. And if ever one should fail, well, there’s always the reset button.
Feng shui expert Master Hanz Cua, in an exclusive interview with Bandera, said this year, sketchy situations may be avoided and overcome because of the Horse’s natural grit.
“Ang susi natin this year is sipag. Ikaw mismo, ako mismo ang gagawa ng swerte ko. Magsisimula tayo sa pagiging masipag dahil once na masipag tayo, opportunities, pera at swerte ay dadaloy,” he said. (Key this year is diligence. You and I make our own luck. Let’s start by being hardworking, and then opportunities, money and good fortune will flow.)
Those born under the Year of the Horse are, ironically, considered generally unlucky, according to Chinese traditions, as this sign is said to be in conflict with the Tai Sui, the influential authority in Chinese astrology that supposedly govern fortune, health, and luck. However, the Horse can counter this by wearing lucky colors red and purple. Their conflict with the Tai Sui also does not mean that luck will be down all the way, as there will always be opportunities for the Horse to stand up and attain leadership positions at work and career.
The Rat, Ox and Rabbit, meanwhile, might encounter difficulties as their signs as they may get trampled upon by the raging speed of the Horse. They should be more careful in handling finances and general relationships.
While the Rat has potential, but this year will be particularly challenging because it is exactly in the opposite direction of the Horse in the Chinese astrology chart. That’s why the Rat has to navigate its path carefully so as not to further cause a clash. Ox individuals, on the other hand, is in direct conflict with the Tai Sui and will face potential betrayal and misunderstandings due to its obstinate nature. The Rabbit, while malleable, in indirect conflict because their energy and nature is also in contrast with the Horse. This means that they should be wary of any emotional setbacks and prevent the escalation of pressure in the workplace.
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The Snake is predicted to have mixed fortunes in 2026, particularly in romantic relationships and professional aspects. Despite these challenges, there is potential for wealth and success in long-term plans for this charming animal sign. The same could be said for the Goat as it will experience an upward movement in career and personal growth, but like the Rabbit, it may experience emotional upheavals. The Rooster is also considered very auspicious in terms of career advancement and financial blessings, but this will require hard work and perseverance. Luckily, Dragon and Ox will come to the Rooster’s aid in times of need.
As for the Monkey, its luck would be stable this year and generally favorable. It can find support on its friendships and alignment for a more steady flow of fortune, but be wary of attracting negative energy from others as it can easily affect the Monkey’s mischievous, adaptable nature.
It will also be an auspicious year for those born under the Dog, Pig and Tiger as their signs are harmoniously aligned with the Horse. This means that more opportunities will be opened to them, as they are just as agile as the Horse in seizing prospects that come their way. They will have opportunities to show leadership in matters of politics, business and infrastructure.
But the Dragon will be the most coveted sign this year as it will experience spurts of good luck and prosperity. It’s like the Dragon could do no wrong as it will have an upper hand in business and personal growth due to its auspicious star alignment. The elemental nature of the Fire Horse also aligns with the Dragon’s convictions, such that ambition will be generously rewarded.
What to know about Lunar New Year Celebrations in PH
The Philippines has a long, if tumultuous relationship with China, but it cannot be denied that this shared history that dates back pre-colonial times has steeped into the everyday life of Filipinos. Think birthdays and pancit, or the familiar ate (elder sister) from the Chinese a-chi, and the trade and commerce between the two countries during the 9th and 10th centuries that have continued to flourish in present times. There are so many more examples of these cultural exchanges, and not least of these are the traditions and practices relating to the celebration of the Chinese holiday, known as the Lunar New Year, which the Christian-centric Filipinos have also embraced.
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This multicultural spectacle has allowed Filipinos to immerse themselves into Chinese beliefs on how to enhance one’s good fortune, attain prosperity, or avoid bad luck.
Binondo, Manila, which is considered the oldest Chinatown in the world (the Parian, ironically established by the Spanish conquistadores), has for many centuries become the center of Chinese commerce, and until now, the place remains to be a place of trade for ethnic Chinese communities in the country. At every nook and cranny of this landmark in the capital city, there are Chinese influences that invoke the call for prosperity, abundance and overall good fortune — the dragon structures in archways, red lanterns adorning buildings, Chinese characters in the facade of business establishments. In the narrow alleyways, Chinoy peddlers offer a variety of sumptuous fares like dimsums, and noodles for long life. Others showcase their craftsmanship in making jewelries using multicolored crystals and gemstones symbolizing the different animal zodiacs, as well as various talismans to counter back luck.
“It shows that the Chinese community in the Philippines has a very long history in the country, and has become part and parcel of the Filipino society for more than one thousand years. The contribution is not only economic and financial; it is also cultural, gastronomic, and even religious,” said Wilson Lee Flores, a Filipino-Chinese philanthropist and a Palanca awardee for his essay, “The Legacy of the Old-Chinese Merchants of Manila.”
So, one could say that Filipino and Chinese relations continue to thrive despite the recent heated exchanges over the issue on the West Philippine Sea. The celebration of the Chinese New Year helped bridge that gap between the two countries, and helped provide a respite from the tension towards cooperation.
“This celebration and beautification of Chinatown shows everyone that the good news between the two countries are always more than the bad news. Overall, when you will look at the more than one thousand years of nonstop friendship and trade and cultural exchange, the misunderstanding on both sides are small compared to the positive,” Flores further said.
“I think, people to people, we are good. Culture-wise, we need to enhance that,” said Eduardo Cobankiat, who serves as board member of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).