Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in China and for Chinese communities worldwide. It lasts for 15 full days and begins with the first new moon between January 21 and February 20. This means the celebration is aligned with natural cycles, not the Gregorian calendar. 

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The Chinese New Year 2026, beginning on February 17, marks the start of the Fire Horse sign, an astrological cycle associated with energy, movement, and transformation. The celebration, which extends until the Lantern Festival on March 3, is a time for deep family gatherings and the observance of centuries-old rituals designed to ensure prosperity and good fortune and ward off bad luck for the coming year. 

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Some of the most significant customs include:

The Great Cleaning (Sao Chen): The days leading up to New Year's are dedicated to a thorough house cleaning to symbolically sweep away the bad luck of the past year and make room for good fortune. Preparation begins a week beforehand with a deep cleaning of the home, including sweeping, washing, tidying, and discarding old items. On New Year's Day, however, no sweeping or cleaning takes place, as it is believed that this could drive away the newly arrived good luck.

 

The family reunion dinner: New Year's Eve is perhaps the most important tradition. Entire families gather to cook traditional dishes and symbolic foods together, such as dumplings that symbolize wealth (their shape resembles ancient ingots); whole fish that attracts abundance; oranges and tangerines for good fortune; long noodles for a long life; and rice cake (Niangao) that symbolizes growth and progress.

 

Ceremonies to honor the ancestors.

 

Red Envelope Giving (Hongbao): Adults give red envelopes containing money to children and single people. Red symbolizes good luck, and the act represents the transfer of good wishes and prosperity.

 

Visits to friends and neighbors with gift exchanges.

Decorations with the color red and symbols: Homes and streets are decorated with the color red, lanterns, and scrolls with messages of good fortune (Chunlian). Red is believed to ward off the Nian, a mythological beast that, according to legend, used to attack villages.

 

Use of fireworks and firecrackers: At the beginning of the new year, fireworks are launched and firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits with the sound and to celebrate with joy.

 

How to incorporate Lunar New Year decorations into your home

Lunar New Year is a festive time filled with joy and blessings. One way to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere during this time is to decorate your home with simple items you already have that align with the traditional aesthetic. You don't need to transform your entire house; small adjustments can change the energy of the space. You can open the windows on New Year's Day, tidy up, and clear surfaces to make your home feel lighter and ready for a new cycle. And finally, you can incorporate some traditional elements that add color and reflect the meaning of the celebration.

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For example, plum or peach blossom branches are among the most common decorations because they represent renewal; placing them in a tall vase in the living room or entryway creates a simple yet symbolic focal point. The color red, present in cushions, textiles, or hanging ornaments, is associated with good fortune and protection. It's also common to place tangerines or oranges in a bowl or tray, as they are considered a symbol of prosperity. These details, though subtle, help the home reflect the celebration and convey a sense of an orderly, bright, and auspicious beginning.

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Year of the Yang Fire Horse: energy of 2026. Astrological reading of the ruling sign of the year, its attributes and energetic challenges.

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The year 2026 will be ruled by the Yang Horse, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and its corresponding element will be Fire, according to the traditional cycle of elements.

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The Horse's energy represents magnetism and radical visibility, as this animal is compared to the midday sun, illuminating everything it touches. Unlike the Snake of 2025, which invited us to introspect and examine our emotions, 2026 invites us to open ourselves up and expose ourselves to the public eye.

It's a year of red carpets and stages. The Horse archetype is likened to someone who enters a room and everyone turns to look at them. However, this need to be seen can trigger old wounds related to validation and ego. The key question for 2026 will be: Are we shining from our authentic essence or from a persona constructed to impress?

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According to Chinese astrological tradition, this combination promises a year of dynamic and transformative energy. The Horse also symbolizes freedom, ambition, independence, and progress. It is a sign associated with tireless activity and overcoming obstacles. Meanwhile, the Fire element brings attributes such as passion, leadership, creativity, and courage. It is interpreted as a favorable period for decisive action, innovation, and breaking out of stagnant situations.

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Understanding these dates, the meaning of the zodiac signs, and the main traditions offers us a window into one of China's most important cultural festivals. Beyond its symbolism and traditional meaning, the Spring Festival reflects universal values ​​of renewal, hope, and family ties that transcend cultural boundaries. 

 

Karina Guzmán

Journalist and Feng Shui Consultant applied to Interior Design