Lunar New Year has arrived, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, a combination that occurs only once every 60 years. The fire horse last appeared in 1966, and experts describe it as one of the most dynamic pairings in the Chinese zodiac cycle.
According to Fan Shengyu, an associate professor at the Australian National University, fire symbolizes energy and rushfulness, while the horse represents vitality, speed, and passion. “It's one very particular year in that 60-year cycle. It's very special,” he said.
Pan Wang, associate professor of Chinese and Asian Studies at the University of New South Wales, noted that fire and horse share similar qualities, creating a “double fire” effect. This combination symbolizes vitality, passion, courage, and high speed, but also carries negative traits such as high tempers, restlessness, and impulsivity.
This year, Lunar New Year fell on February 17, with celebrations lasting around two weeks. Traditions include family gatherings, symbolic foods, fireworks, and wearing red for good luck. However, some may opt for calmer colors like white or blue to balance the intense fire horse energy.
The fire horse has cultural significance beyond China. In Japan, the 1966 fire horse year saw a dip in birth rates due to superstitions about women born under this sign having fiery temperaments. Experts note that younger generations are less likely to hold such beliefs.
Jin Han, director of the Australia-China Institute for Arts and Culture, highlighted the importance of horses in ancient Chinese history, where they were critical in battles. Many Chinese idioms associate horses with success, reinforcing the idea that the horse brings victory.
