Each winter, many people from Asian countries and their diasporas around the world celebrate Lunar New Year. For the Chinese, it not only marks the passage of time, but it also means getting a new animal to represent the year. For example, 2026 is the year of the horse. (More specifically, it is the year of the fire horse.)

Lunar New Year begins February 17—here's what it celebrates, why dates shift, and what the Year of the Fire Horse means.

Chrysanthemums are one of the Four Gentlemen of China, flowers that appear as a frequent motif in Chinese artwork, along with bamboo, orchid and plum blossom. Each flower represents a season, with chrysanthemums representing autumn.

Chinese Lunar New Year 2026 is here. This year's animal promises energy and bold moves for 2026. Here's what to know.