Overview
- The festival started on Feb. 17, 2026, launching a roughly 15‑day celebration that culminates with the Lantern Festival, and Google marked the day with an interactive Doodle.
- The Fire Horse in Chinese astrology blends the horse’s movement and independence with the fire element’s intensity, pointing to high energy and rapid change if balanced to avoid impulsivity.
- Traditional observances include a deep home cleaning before the date, red decorations and hongbao, fireworks, and public dragon and lion dances.
- Common first‑day taboos advise against sweeping or taking out trash, wearing black or white, using negative words, and cutting or washing hair out of respect for good fortune.
- An annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse coincides with the new year, visible in Antarctica and partially across southern South America and Africa, while most outlets say the lunar year runs to Feb. 5, 2027, with one citing Jan. 24, 2027.