Chinese New Year in 2026: the history of the holiday and the main traditions

On February 17, 2026, millions of people around the world will celebrate the Chinese New Year, which will be held under the auspices of the Fiery Horse and mark the beginning of a new lunar cycle. This holiday, which has a thousand-year history and rich cultural traditions, is considered an important event for East Asian countries and Chinese communities around the world. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

The history of Chinese New Year celebrations: from ancient rituals to the present day

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, has more than 4,000 years of history. Its origin is connected with the ancient rituals of sacrifices to heavenly deities and ancestor worship, which were held at the end of winter. According to Chinese legends, the holiday originated as a way to protect against a mythical monster named Nian, who attacked people at the beginning of each year.

During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), the celebration took on a stable form and became an integral part of the traditional Chinese calendar. Since then, the holiday has symbolized the renewal of nature, the beginning of the agricultural cycle and the strengthening of family ties. Today, in some countries, Chinese New Year is celebrated as a public holiday, with official weekends usually lasting about a week.

Chinese New Year 2026: date and features of the Year of the Fiery Horse

The date of the celebration is determined by the lunisolar calendar and falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2026, the New Year will come on February 17, and the holiday cycle will last 15 days until March 3, when the traditional lantern festival will take place.

According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the zodiac and one of the five elements. And 2026 will be held under the sign of the Fiery Horse, which repeats once every 60 years. This symbol combines the energy, confidence, and drive for action inherent in a Horse with the element of Fire, which adds passion and power to transformation. Such a year is considered favorable for starting new businesses, active work and creative search.

Chinese New Year traditions: purification, family dinner and gifts

Preparations for the holiday begin in advance — a week or two before its onset. During this period, it is customary to carry out a general cleaning of the house in order to get rid of failures and old worries. After cleaning, the house is decorated with red lanterns, paired inscriptions wishing happiness and wealth, as well as images of the Chinese mythical beast Nyan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

The main event is the New Year's Eve dinner, when the whole family gathers at the table. Fish is served on the table as a symbol of abundance and dumplings in the form of antique coins, attracting prosperity. After midnight, fireworks and firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits, and in the morning, elders give children and young people red envelopes with money — hongbao, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

Symbols and prohibitions of the Chinese New Year: how to attract good luck

Red is considered the main symbol of the holiday — it represents joy, vitality and protects from evil spirits. The hieroglyph "fu", meaning happiness, is placed on the doors of houses, and it is often turned over, which symbolizes the "arrival of good luck."

There are strict prohibitions, especially on New Year's Day. It is forbidden to sweep and take out the trash, so as not to "sweep out" luck, it is not recommended to use scissors and other sharp objects, as well as to pronounce words with a negative meaning. On this day, they try to avoid quarrels and tears, believing that they can bring bad luck for the whole year.

Chinese New Year in different countries: unity of traditions and modernity

In China, the celebration period is accompanied by the largest population migration: millions of people return to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with their families. This phenomenon is called "chunyun". In recent years, traditions have acquired a modern sound.: Digital greetings and transfers via mobile applications are increasingly being used instead of paper envelopes.

In other Asian countries, the holiday has its own peculiarities. In Vietnam, it is called Tet, in Korea — Seongnal, in Mongolia — Tsagan Sar. Singapore and Malaysia host street fairs and carnivals, while decorations depicting the symbol of the year are widely used in Japan and Indonesia. In Russia, Chinese New Year is most noticeably celebrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where Chinese culture festivals, exhibitions, and theatrical performances take place.

Chinese New Year remains an important cultural event that unites people of different nations and faiths. It combines ancient traditions, family values and a modern vision of the world, reminding that the new year is always an opportunity to start from scratch.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.