The Year of the Horse: What This Means for 2026

By: Maeve Moynihan, Senior Writer Edited by: Tessa Reiner

2025 was the year of the snake, and we have officially transitioned into the year of the fire horse in 2026. The horse is an embodiment of freedom, which has spiked a sense of excitement in society. Rather than being scared of the change, people are looking forward to a brand new start, leaving their old habits behind. The horse only comes once every 60 years, and knowing how rare this animal is, it is inspiring a sense of community and passion within society, pushing individuals to take this new year more seriously as they gallop their way into it full force.

Each Lunar New Year is represented by a different animal in a repeating 12-year cycle, with each one symbolizing the character and fortunes the year may bring. The snake, representing transformation and charm, summed up 2025. Now, with the horse, people feel a sense of growth and confidence with a fresh new “skin”, morphing their values to align it as well. The fire horse, the horse being the Zodiac sign, represents intensity and energy, bringing that same excitement into the year alongside the change. The last time the horse appeared was in 1966, when the Chinese Cultural Revolution began. This time period represented a time of shift in power and choice, representing also the attitudes of people today choosing their path for the year in being something that promotes their well being.   

Oftentimes, years represent different cycles and growth periods of people’s lives. Whether these cycles hold positive or negative memories, they embody a sense of change, highlighting advancement not just in the sense of time, but in an individual’s identity. Each animal represents this new change, also embodying how we as people go through different phases. 

This year, the fire horse took over TikTok for you pages, as people were advised not to “wash away” the good luck the new year would bring. From spending the day with dirty hair to leaving laundry in the hamper, just so they could soak up everything that came with the horse. It was a routine that people could rely on and put their faith into in order to ensure a sense of “goodness”, a sense of comfort that no matter what they did, the year will bring them luck. The trend created a community with the users who contributed to it.  

With the symbol of the horse reaching a mass amount of social media users, it also spread the message of change throughout these users. A community of people embracing growth was built, collectively agreeing this was an opportunity to embrace the change, embrace the growth through their shared resolutions. Social media plays such a crucial role in this generation’s life, and it brings people of all backgrounds to a general consensus. Sophomore student at the University of Maryland, Kathryn Hall, reflects on what the Lunar New Year looked like for her.  

“This year, I feel like I was exposed a lot more to Chinese New Year and all the traditions associated with it simply through social media. On TikTok or Instagram, I saw a lot of people talking about what they chose to do to celebrate and also the dos and don’ts of the holiday to bring good luck with the new year. It was really nice to hear more about a holiday I didn’t know much about and see so many people demonstrate cultural appreciation,” said Hall. 

With the Chinese new year, it brings different groups of people together, both Chinese cultures and those outside it, like Hall. 

“Even though I don’t have a connection to the holiday or Chinese culture, I decided to participate in some of the festivities like wearing red and not sweeping or taking out the trash. I think the new year, whether you celebrate it with the Chinese lunar calendar or on January 1st, is a great time to reassess and start fresh with a new mindset and goals for yourself, which is how I chose to celebrate the start of the year of the Horse,” said Hall.

This cross enlightens communities who might not be as involved with these practices, thus bonding over them with shared interests and desires. Different cultures have different traditions and holidays, but it is important to note the sense of devotion that brings these cultures together, allowing individuals to feel a sense of community with others outside of their own.

For people who had a challenging 2025, the Lunar New Year serves as an opportunity to pivot and run towards something that they desire, towards a life they want to live. For those who made progress and positive impacts in 2025, this is still an opportunity to build onto that growth, and to to keep running towards the life they want. No matter what the past looks like, the horse represents a sense of strength, being the shoulder that people can lean on to ensure that they feel strong, too.    

© 2026 by FETCH COLLECTIVE