The Chinese Lunar New Year marks a powerful turning point – a second beginning within the calendar year, offering an opportunity to reset your life direction and move into 2026 with clarity and intention.
Australian-based and international leading Intuitive Astrologer and Numerologist Tameera shares why the 2026 Year of the Fire Horse brings transformation and what you can expect through your Chinese sign throughout 2026.
what is the chinese zodiac?
The Chinese Zodiac was established over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. According to legend, the emperor invited the animals of the kingdom to participate in a great race. Their finishing order would determine their position in the twelve-year cycle.
The 12 animals, in their finishing positions, include the: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Strong, athletic and naturally fast, the Horse charged through the river with confidence. Yet just before the finish, the Snake – who had quietly wrapped itself around the Horse’s leg –slid forward and startled it, claiming sixth place. The Horse followed immediately after, securing its place as the seventh sign in the zodiac
what does the horse represent in the chinese zodiac?
In Chinese astrology, the Horse symbolises movement, freedom, stamina and independence. It is associated with momentum, ambition, and the desire to forge one’s own path.
The Horse does not wait for permission. It moves.
Horse energy carries momentum. It is not passive. It moves ideas forward, challenges convention and inspires collective action. Whether expressed through leadership, advocacy, performance or global influence, the Horse archetype is defined by vitality, personal conviction and forward motion.
Horse years favour decisive action, expansion, travel and bold forward motion. It marks a shift from consolidation to acceleration – a time when direction matters and standing still is rarely an option.
when does the year of the fire horse begin in 2026?
The Chinese Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse begins 17 February 2026, aligning with the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius – traditionally the second New Moon after the December solstice ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse and marking a transition from the shedding phase of the Wood Snake into confidence and forward momentum.
The Lunar New Year almost always falls on the Aquarius New Moon – forever visionary, bringing community and connections together.
the 12 chinese zodiac signs in the year of the fire horse
The Rat
The Ox
The Tiger
The Rabbit
The Dragon
The Snake
The Horse
The Goat
The Monkey
The Rooster
The Dog
The Pig
the rat
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Wood Rat: 5 February 1924 – 24 January 1925; 2 February 1984 – 19 February 1985
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Fire Rat: 24 January 1936 – 10 February 1937; 19 February 1996 – 6 February 1997
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Earth Rat: 10 February 1948 – 28 January 1949; 7 February 2008 – 25 January 2009
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Metal Rat: 28 January 1960 – 14 February 1961; 25 January 2020 – 11 February 2021
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Water Rat: 15 February 1972 – 2 February 1973
The Fire Horse year brings movement, heightened activity and accelerated decision cycles. For the Rat, this is not a year to compete with speed. It is a year to refine strategy.
Opportunities arrive through change, travel, career pivots and bold initiatives. Success comes when the Rat stays centred and chooses deliberate action rather than reacting to urgency around them. The Horse energy is fast and visible. The Rat’s advantage lies in discernment.
This year supports repositioning rather than rushing. Intelligent recalibration creates long-term gain.
the ox
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Wood Ox: 25 January 1925 – 12 February 1926; 20 February 1985 – 8 February 1986
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Fire Ox: 11 February 1937 – 30 January 1938; 7 February 1997 – 27 January 1998
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Earth Ox: 29 January 1949 – 16 February 1950; 26 January 2009 – 13 February 2010
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Metal Ox: 15 February 1961 – 4 February 1962; 12 February 2021 – 31 January 2022
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Water Ox: 3 February 1973 – 22 January 1974
The Fire Horse accelerates pace and encourages bold movement. For the Ox, 2026 invites flexibility without compromising core values.
Change may feel faster than preferred, yet this year supports strategic upgrades. Rather than holding tightly to familiar routines, the Ox benefits from refining processes and embracing modern approaches. Measured evolution strengthens long-term foundations.
the tiger
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Wood Tiger: 13 February 1974 – 30 January 1975
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Fire Tiger: 31 January 1926 – 16 February 1927; 9 February 1986 – 28 January 1987
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Earth Tiger: 17 February 1938 – 4 February 1939; 28 January 1998 – 15 February 1999
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Metal Tiger: 5 February 1950 – 23 January 1951; 14 February 2010 – 2 February 2011
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Water Tiger: 4 February 1962 – 24 January 1963; 1 February 2022 – 21 January 2023
Horse and Tiger share dynamic energy. 2026 supports forward momentum and decisive action. This is a year to initiate rather than hesitate.
Opportunities arise through visibility, creative leadership and courageous choices. Balanced self-awareness ensures power is expressed constructively.
the rabbit
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Wood Rabbit: 2 February 1975 – 30 January 1976
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Fire Rabbit: 17 February 1927 – 5 February 1928; 29 January 1987 – 16 February 1988
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Earth Rabbit: 5 February 1939 – 24 January 1940; 16 February 1999 – 4 February 2000
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Metal Rabbit: 6 February 1951 – 26 January 1952; 3 February 2011 – 22 January 2012
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Water Rabbit: 25 January 1963 – 12 February 1964; 22 January 2023 – 9 February 2024
The Fire Horse introduces movement and stimulation. For the Rabbit, balance is key. This year supports expansion when wellbeing remains prioritised.
Growth occurs through collaboration and selective visibility. Protecting energy ensures sustainable progress.
the dragon
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Wood Dragon: 13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965; 10 February 2024 – 28 January 2025
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Fire Dragon: 31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977
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Earth Dragon: 17 February 1928 – 4 February1929; 17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989
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Metal Dragon: 5 February 1940 – 26 January 1941; 5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001
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Water Dragon: January 1952 – 13 February1953; 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013
The Fire Horse fuels ambition and accelerates movement. For the Dragon, 2026 supports visibility and purposeful expansion.
Opportunities arise through leadership, innovation and decisive positioning. This is a year to refine public presence while maintaining sustainable pacing. Authority grows through measured confidence rather than force.
the snake
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Wood Snake: 2 February 1965 – 20 January 1966; 29 January 2025 – 16 February 2026
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Fire Snake: 18 February 1977 – 6 February 1978
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Earth Snake: 6 February 1929 – 25 January 1930; 6 February 1989 – 26 January 1990
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Metal Snake: 27 January 1941 – 14 February 1942; 5 February 2001 – 23 January 2002
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Water Snake: 14 February 1953 – 2 February1954; 10 February 2013 – 20 January 2014
The Fire Horse introduces faster rhythms and heightened activity. For the Snake, adaptability enhances influence.
2026 supports calculated action rather than secrecy. Clear communication strengthens professional positioning and personal bonds. Depth remains your advantage.
the horse
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Wood Horse: 3 February 1954 – 23 January 1955; 31 January 2014 – 18 February 2015
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Fire Horse: 21 January 1966 – 8 February 1967; 17 February 2026 – 5 February 2027
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Earth Horse: 7 February 1978 – 27 January 1979
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Metal Horse: 27 January 1990 – 14 February 1991
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Water Horse: 15 February 1942 – 4 February 1943; 12 February 2002 – 31 January 2003
This is your year. Energy amplifies and visibility increases. What you initiate carries momentum. Leadership opportunities expand. Discipline determines results.
Purposeful direction ensures long-term gain rather than scattered output.
the goat
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Wood Goat: 24 January 1955 – 11 February 1956; 19 February 2015 – 7 February 2016
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Fire Goat: 9 February 1967 – 29 January 1968
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Earth Goat: 28 January 1979 – 15 February 1980
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Metal Goat: 15 February 1991 – 3 February 1992
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Water Goat: 5 February 1943 – 24 January 1944; 1 February 2003 – 21 January 2004
The Fire Horse encourages goats to step out of their comfort zone. Growth follows courage and visible contribution. Creative projects gain traction. Emotional confidence supports professional advancement.
the monkey
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Wood Monkey: 20 February 1944 – 8 February 1945; 4 February 2004 – 24 January 2005
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Fire Monkey: 12 February 1956 – 30 January 1957; 8 February 2016 – 27 January 2017
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Earth Monkey: 30 January 1968 – 16 February 1969
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Metal Monkey: 16 February 1980 – 4 February 1981
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Water Monkey: 4 February 1992 – 22 January 1993
The Fire Horse accelerates pace and amplifies opportunity. For the Monkey, this is a productive year when attention is directed wisely.
Ideas multiply. Focus becomes the deciding factor. Concentrated effort creates momentum. Scattered energy reduces impact. Choose a clear direction and commit.
the rooster
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Wood Rooster: 25 January 1945 – 12 February 1946; 9 February 2005 – 28 January 2006
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Fire Rooster: 31 January 1957 – 17 February 1958; 28 January 2017 – 15 February 2018
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Earth Rooster: 17 February 1969 – 5 February 1970
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Metal Rooster: 5 February 1981 – 24 January 1982
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Water Rooster: 25 January 1993 – 9 February 1994
The Fire Horse favours speed and bold movement. For the Rooster, flexibility enhances success. Standards remain important. Allow space for evolving projects. Progress comes through adaptability paired with discernment.
the dog
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Wood Dog: 10 February 1994 – 30 January 1995
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Fire Dog: 2 February 1946 – 21 January 1947; 29 January 2006 – 17 February 2007
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Earth Dog: 18 February 1958 – 7 February 1959; 16 February 2018 – 4 February 2019
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Metal Dog: 6 February 1970 – 26 January 1971
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Water Dog: 25 January 1982 – 12 February 1983
The Fire Horse aligns well with the Dog’s principled nature. Movement supports meaningful progress.
This year encourages stepping into advocacy, leadership and visible roles. Integrity becomes a professional asset, while emotional steadiness strengthens personal life.
the pig
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Wood Pig: 31 January 1995 – 18 February 1996
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Fire Pig: 22 January 1947 – 9 February 1948; 18 February 2007 – 6 February 2008
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Earth Pig: 8 February 1959 – 27 January 1960; 5 February 2019 – 24 January 2020
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Metal Pig: 27 January 1971 – 14 February 1972
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Water Pig: 13 February 1983 – 1 February 1984
The Fire Horse increases social engagement and outward activity. For the Pig, balance preserves wellbeing. Opportunities arise through collaboration and visibility. Guard personal energy while remaining open to growth.
chinese new year of the fire horse lucky feng shui tips
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Purify your home with citrus, sage or eucalyptus. You can do this through the power of aromatherapy, with our Breathe Essential Oil containing both eucalyptus and lemon oils. The Cleansing Smudge Stick containing eucalyptus is a way to clear your space of stagnant energy.
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Integrate the lucky colours of gold, yellow, red and earth tones into your home or clothes. These colours help support abundance for the Year of the Fire Horse.
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Amethyst, Citrine, Red Jasper and Carnelian crystals help enhance good luck, protection and spiritual growth for the Year of the Horse.
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Connect with nature through fresh flowers or gardening. Planting fresh seeds helps bring new life into this new year.
