top of page

Chinese New Year - Red Fire Horse (17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027)

  • sarah816202
  • Feb 11
  • 2 min read

In readiness for next week, let's take a look at the Chinese New Year a little early.


Gong Hoy Fot Choy! Greetings of Riches! Improve Your Fortunes!

Years of the Horse… 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

The Chinese New Year is the oldest zodiac system, following a twelve-year cycle. The lunar calendar is used throughout East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and neighbouring countries. Legend says Buddha invited all animals to his birthday, and the twelve that came were rewarded with a year each, becoming symbols that influence those born during their cycle. Five elements — Fire, Water, Metal, Earth, and Wood — combine with the animals to form a repeating sixty-year pattern.


A monochrome ink artwork of a horse. Head is looking to the right, the mane is flowing out to the left. Front legs are facing forward and off to the the right and hind legs are are facing to the left. It's tail is arching out behind. The body is front-facing, extending along the right side. Sparse grass is on the ground around. Chinese characters are written top right.
Horse painted in ink by Xu Beihong, 1855 - 1953. A copy found on Pinterest

The Horse is the seventh zodiac animal. In 2026, the Year of the Red Fire Horse, energy, courage, and adventure dominate. Fire Horse represents innovation, determination, and a love of freedom. It encourages people to pursue goals boldly while respecting others’ independence. People born in the Year of the Horse are passionate, optimistic, independent, and strong in body and mind. They can be quick-tempered or slightly selfish, but their enthusiasm and drive often lead them toward success and fulfilment.


A bridge lined set of steps, with lanterns. The brickwork pavement is crazed cobbled, with the gaps being filled by cement. There are symbols on the ground. Above, either side is lined by railings covered with bright orange/red lanterns in gold Chinese writing. They have gold tassels hanging from below the lanterns. People are descending what appear to be the steps of the bridge.
Bridge with Lanterns in Chinese New Year, in Beijing- Photo by Wang Binghua on Unsplash

Fire Horse favours the colours coffee brown, ebony, and purple, chanting and choral music, topaz and beryl crystals, narcissus flowers, red wine, wildflower fragrance, white birch trees, sweet and sour flavours, the lucky number eight, vegetables, cloves, parsley, Gemini, the south, spring and summer, and animals such as horses, donkeys, and wild cats.


Art Inspiration for this week;

🎨 Draw a fiery red horse running through glowing clouds and lanterns.

🎨 Try creating a picture with a magical fire horse, add topaz or beryl crystals to their mane, add narcissi and white birch in the landscape …

🎨 Paint a watercolour fire horse using flowing reds, oranges, and yellows.

🎨 Create a collage of favours of the Fire Horse sign or maybe a Chinese New Year celebration.

🎨 Imagine a night parade scene with dragons, fireworks, and a fire horse in motion.

🎨 Looking at the temples, pagodas and bridges of China. Maybe focus on one, add lanterns.


It will be a great evening of creativity! See you all soon 🙂 Wednesday evening, 7:30 pm UK time. Please join us on link-tree select All4Art https://linktr.ee/all4inclusion

Comments

bottom of page