Many people call 2026 the Year of the Horse. But there’s one “but”: in the Chinese calendar, the new year doesn’t start on January 1—it begins on February 17. So until that day, the Year of the Snake hasn’t “handed over the shift” yet.
Why is the Chinese calendar like this?
The Chinese calendar is based on a lunisolar system: months follow the Moon’s motion, while the year is aligned with the seasons. That’s why the date of Chinese New Year changes every year and usually falls between late January and mid-February.
The 12-year animal cycle
In the Chinese calendar, years are named after 12 animals. These animals symbolically represent nature, personality, and the cycle of time. The list is:
1. Rat
2. Ox
3. Tiger
4. Rabbit
5. Dragon
6. Snake
7. Horse
8. Goat
9. Monkey
10. Rooster
11. Dog
12. Pig
Why does the cycle start with the Rat?
According to a folk legend, the Heavenly Ruler summoned the animals and said: whoever arrives first will receive the first year. The Rat, using cunning, arrived first; the Ox came second; and the rest took their places in order of arrival. That’s why the 12-year cycle starts with the Year of the Rat.
So yes, calling 2026 the “Year of the Horse” is correct—but it officially begins after February 17. Until then, the “final episodes” of the Year of the Snake are still playing—who knows, maybe the most exciting part comes right at the end.
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