Hong Kong
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If there’s one widespread theme to emerge from the many Lunar New Year rituals connected to the annual celebration, from the meals we eat to the actions we be part of, it’s the collective hope that we’re ushering in luck, prosperity and good vibes for ourselves and everybody round us.
This yr, the world rings in the Year of the Horse on February 17 — the first day of the Lunar New Year in 2026. Which means many individuals at the moment are trying to the stars for hints about what’s in store for the months to come back.
Don’t fear for those who don’t have a private geomancer in your cellphone — we’ve executed the cosmic legwork for you, rounding up this yr’s Chinese zodiac fortune information with the assist of a seasoned grasp.
First, let’s begin with the fundamentals. The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 totally different animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Your zodiac animal is decided by your yr of beginning, which means these born on or after the first day of the lunar calendar in 2026 will fall underneath the Horse signal. (Check out the illustrations under to search out out which animal represents the yr you had been born.)
But that’s solely the starting. For trustworthy followers of the system, a yr isn’t simply categorized by its animal. There’s additionally a posh sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches.
It’s difficult, however right here’s a simplified clarification. Every yr, a heavenly stem (one of 5 parts, which fall into the yin or yang class) is paired with an earthly department (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals).
This yr, the heavenly stem is “Bing” (large solar) and the earthly department is “Wu” (the Horse), making it the Year of the Fire Horse.
So what precisely does that imply? For deeper insights into the yr forward, we met up with Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui advisor who blends conventional Chinese geomancy with fashionable parts.
“Bing represents the big sun, and the Horse, as a zodiac animal, is also a fire sign. So this is probably one of the most fiery years you will get,” she says.
“Industries associated with the fire category will dominate — from technology to anything that generates energy and fire. Arts, fashion and cooking also rely heavily on fire. You can expect these sectors to get more attention.”
Chow says that fireplace affect goes to influence each the climate and other people’s temperaments — so the world ought to be on the lookout for extra heat-related disasters this yr, as nicely as heightened tensions in already heated relationships.
“But for people who do need fire, this can be a very good year. Generally, people born in autumn and winter benefit from having more fire in their elements,” she provides.
In feng shui, everybody’s beginning chart consists of totally different parts — steel, wooden, water, hearth and earth. The artwork of feng shui and Chinese fortune-telling is commonly about balancing these parts in our our bodies and in nature.
“There is no absolute good or bad,” says Chow. “One lesson I take from Confucian philosophy is that you can bring what you lack into your life through awareness and effort.”
Meet the ‘Grand Duke of Jupiter’
When it involves particular person luck, Chinese zodiac followers imagine that their animal’s fortune is determined by the positions of the stellar deities, collectively referred to as Tai Sui, that rotate parallel to and in the wrong way of Jupiter in the sky.
Also identified as the Grand Duke of Jupiter, Tai Sui is made up of 60 celestial deities, every of which controls a selected yr for every zodiac signal in a 60-year cycle. Why Jupiter? Many centuries in the past, Chinese astrologers realized it takes about 12 years for the planet to finish one orbit round the solar.
To calculate how every individual will likely be affected in a selected yr, a Chinese geomancy advisor appears to be like at one’s beginning chart, which consists of a variety of parts based mostly on totally different Tai Sui stars’ positions on the day and time of their beginning.
These combos are vital; some even use them to make big life choices for the yr forward, such as whether or not they need to get married or begin a enterprise.
While many desire to get an in depth session based mostly on their very own beginning chart, most followers agree that analyzing the place of Tai Sui over every zodiac signal presents a basic snapshot of the yr to come back.
For occasion, in case your zodiac signal is out of favor with Tai Sui this yr, the consultants say you would possibly end up going through extra disruptions and adjustments than regular.
But Chow is fast so as to add that the calendar is a rotating cycle and we ought to embrace adjustments with a constructive thoughts.
“A year clashing with Tai Sui may sound scary,” she says. “But it often means a year full of changes — and changes bring opportunities to grow. Looking at it this way, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
Traditionally, followers resolve these “clashes” by visiting Chinese temples and making choices to Tai Sui. And whereas there’s no hurt in in search of consolation by ritual, Chow notes that feng shui isn’t tied to any single faith.
Don’t wish to go to a temple? She encourages those that conflict with Tai Sui to attend joyful social events to soak up extra constructive vitality.
“Attend happy events,” she says. “Surround yourself with people who boost your energy. Set boundaries. Protect your peace.”
With these sensible phrases in thoughts, right here’s Chow’s steering on what every zodiac animal can anticipate throughout the yr forward.
Cue the dramatic music — that is your second in the highlight. In 2026, all you Horses will likely be going through your “Ben Ming Nian” — your zodiac yr matches your beginning signal.
“Horses will be the protagonists of 2026, as big changes are coming for them,” says Chow.
That typically means shake-ups throughout main life areas, from careers to relationships to household issues.
In conventional Chinese tradition, folks in their Ben Ming Nian are inspired to “control the changes” by specializing in completely happy milestones, such as getting married and having infants.
“It’s good to remember the saying, ‘One joyful event can ward off three disasters,’” says Chow.
“If there aren’t many things they can manually change, they can simply cultivate happy energy within themselves.”
With a lot taking place in the coming months, Horses ought to take further care of their psychological and bodily well being.
“It can be picking up a new breathing exercise or meditation practice — anything that helps you regulate emotions and keep yourself from overthinking,” says Chow.
And there’s excellent news. She says large adjustments typically imply large cash alternatives — and larger progress.
Traveling to cooler locations in the west and north might assist enhance luck, she provides.
“For Horses born before July in particular, they should be more careful before the summer and save the adventures for after July.”
Congratulations, Goats! The cosmic indicators are in your favor this yr.
People born in the Year of the Goat will get pleasure from Liuhe Tai Sui (or Six Harmonies with Tai Sui) — one of the most auspicious relationships you may have with the Grand Jupiter.
“They will have a Guiren (Noble People) star on their path this year, which means they will have helpful friends and build strong connections,” says Chow.
“Guiren will offer timely support when they need it the most.”
Both work and relationships are set to run easily in 2026.
“It’s truly a blossoming year for Goats — when things are finally coming together,” she says.
But she’s fast so as to add that doesn’t imply it’s best to simply sit again and do nothing.
“It’s good to be open-minded and be thankful, practise enjoying the moment this year,” she says. “If you spend an excessive amount of time worrying about the previous and future, you’ll be losing the current.
For Monkeys, the Year of the Fire Horse guarantees to be comparatively steady and peaceable.
As a metal- and water-heavy zodiac signal, Monkeys’ luck will stay pretty balanced in 2026.
“Compared to last year, their overall luck will improve across family friendship and work relationships,” says Chow.
They might not really feel the urge to journey as a lot as different indicators this yr — and that’s completely high-quality, as their luck doesn’t depend upon their journey miles.
To keep stability, Chow suggests incorporating extra pastel oranges and pinks into their every day life.
“In feng shui philosophy, light colors carry the energy of Yang (the warm and bright side of Yin and Yang). When people look at you, they will see this brighter energy,” she says.
It’s going to be a yr full of love for folks born in the Year of the Rooster — however that doesn’t imply issues are going to go easily.
In 2026, Roosters can have a Taohua Xing (Peach Blossom) star shining over them. This usually means there will likely be an inflow of new connections — whether or not you’re strolling down the road, attending a celebration or touring to a brand new vacation spot.
While typically an optimistic signal, Chow urges Roosters to proceed with care.
“For those looking for love, it’s easier for them to meet potential love interests but they need to distinguish between good Taohua — which is also a metaphor for love interests in Chinese culture — and bad ones. For people who are in a relationship already, they do need to be cautious not to create trouble,” she says.
To keep away from getting enmeshed in an “it’s complicated” romance, Roosters can take into account sporting charms that includes chook and flower motifs.
“Having Taohua over them means they’ll have more active relationships at work. But at the same time, Roosters should watch out for petty people and gossip that may come with these relationships,” says Chow, who notes that Roosters will usually get pleasure from favorable well being in the coming months.
In 2026, folks born in the Year of the Dog will likely be underneath Sanhui Tai Sui, or the “Three Meetings of Tai Sui” star.
“It is a good star. It brings good luck in money, career and family,” says Chow.
This quiet however highly effective stellar alignment means a yr of stability and stable rewards for Dogs, particularly in phrases of finance.
For some Dogs, it could be the yr that long-awaited promotion lastly occurs.
“Their energy with the family will be quite strong this year,” says Chow. “It means better communications among family members. They will likely be getting together more often and enjoying happy events together.”
The one factor Dogs ought to be conscious of? Stomach and digestive well being.
After clashing with Tai Sui final yr, folks born in the Year of the Pig will catch a breather in 2026 as they’re lastly in a constructive Tai Sui place.
“It’s called Anhe Tai Sui, which means it’s in a secret union with Tai Sui,” says Chow. “Luck is coming back but slowly — across work, money, health and relationships.”
After a turbulent 2025, persistence is essential. The tide is popping, even when it doesn’t really feel that manner at the second.
“People often feel the shifts in fortune closer to their birthdays,” says Chow. “If they’re born in the summer, they’ll feel the energy shifting in summer. If they’re born in the winter, they’ll have to wait a little bit longer.”
Chow says it’s vital for Pigs to recollect to offer themselves time to heal from final yr’s drama.
Wearing pastel pink, orange and yellow ought to be capable to assist convey pleasure and hope to their days, she provides.
Brace yourselves, it will likely be a big — and demanding — yr for folks born in the Year of the Rat, as they are going to be clashing with Tai Sui (or Chong Tai Sui).
“Rats should pay very close attention to their health in 2026. The strong moving energy means there is going to be a lot of major changes ahead — from relationships to career paths,” says Chow.
In addition to adopting a brand new wellness routine or scheduling a well being checkup, Chow suggests hitting the street.
“Going out more is better generally for Rats this year,” says Chow.
“When traveling, they could consider Asian destinations where there are more wood and fire elements, such as Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Warmer areas are quite good for them,” she provides.
And there’s a silver lining. Chow says the Rat, being a water signal, balances the hearth of the yr fairly nicely, probably assuaging the conflict.
Dressing in pink might additional enhance their luck this yr, she provides.
“Remember, changes may result in bigger opportunities.”
After having fun with an agreeable place with Tai Sui final yr, Oxen will discover themselves in a bit of a prickly place, making them extra susceptible to small accidents and petty folks.
“It’s not a major clash with Tai Sui. Oxen just need to be more mindful of relationships and choose partnerships carefully, either in business or in friendship,” says Chow.
Misunderstandings might come up extra simply than regular.
Having a motion star hovering over them this yr, Oxen ought to take this as a possibility to journey extra.
“They may need to keep traveling. They can also be more adventurous this year. Explore places you haven’t been. Take some boat rides,” says Chow.
Good information for Tigers: the deity Hui Tai Sui is greeting Tai Sui in 2026 — a pleasant alignment.
“This usually means you will be enjoying good relationships and good companionship in the Year of the Horse. It may suggest more opportunities at work,” says Chow.
“Good unions of all sorts.”
Single Tigers might even discover love this yr, if they’re trying. But as a result of they’re wooden and hearth heavy, which will likely be amplified additional in the Year of the Fire Horse, Tigers do must be careful for potential abdomen and digestion points, as nicely as their eyesight.
“They have to be more mindful, especially during spring and summer,” says Chow.
Staying close to water and dressing in cool tones will assist soothe the hearth as nicely, she provides.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit ought to proceed with warning this yr.
“Rabbits are Xing Tai Sui this year (in a punishing relationship with Tai Sui). They have to be more careful with people they are in love with,” says Chow.
That doesn’t imply reducing all ties abruptly. Rabbits simply should be observant earlier than committing to folks round them this yr.
“They can feel more challenges at work. They will feel less help coming their way,” says Chow.
What they might do is to put on metallic colours and equipment to assist stability their very own ingredient — wooden.
“Wood grows fire, whereas metal suppresses wood. It will help balance the elements,” says the geomancer.
With Yima Sing, the Traveling Horse star, watching over them in 2026, folks born in the Year of the Dragon can anticipate the coming months to be full of motion.
“It’s an excellent year for travels, moving homes or offices and changing jobs,” says Chow.
She says that Dragons may additionally get promotions at work in 2026.
But a phrase of warning. Those who’ve Yima Xing watching over them ought to keep away from staying nonetheless.
“If they force themselves to stay put this year, they will often feel antsy and may be prone to injuring themselves, but far less aggressively than if they were clashing with Tai Sui,” Chow explains.
Health-wise, Dragons, the earthy zodiac signal, might want to be careful for digestion and abdomen points — as hearth nurtures earth, and an extra of hearth can overwhelm the earth organs (abdomen and digestive system) in your physique.
In different phrases: Try to not overindulge an excessive amount of this yr.
After going through their “Ben Ming Nian” (the similar zodiac yr as their beginning signal) in 2025, Snakes will likely be relieved to listen to that they’ll haven’t any direct relationship with Tai Sui in 2026.
This often indicators a calmer yr — however Chow urges warning.
Snakes are a really fiery zodiac signal. So the yr should still really feel intense. Work requires further vigilance.
“It’s very easy to lose what they have gained this year. One moment you feel like you have worked hard and gained what you earned, the next moment somebody else may take the credit,” says Chow.
To treatment this, Snakes ought to attempt to stability their parts — keep away from including extra hearth to an already heated yr by avoiding the colours pink, pink and purple.
Stick with blue, white and metallic colours. Snakes might additionally journey to cooler locations with oceans and rivers to counter some of that warmth, provides Chow.