Hong Kong (CNN) 鈥 If there鈥檚 one common theme to emerge from the many Lunar New Year rituals attached to the annual celebration, from the food we eat to the activities we join, it鈥檚 the collective hope that we鈥檙e ushering in luck, prosperity and good vibes for ourselves and everyone around us.
This year, the world rings in the on February 17 鈥 the first day of the Lunar New Year in 2026. Which means many people are now looking to the stars for hints about what鈥檚 in store for the months to come.
Don鈥檛 worry if you don鈥檛 have a personal geomancer on your phone 鈥 we鈥檝e done the cosmic legwork for you, rounding up this year鈥檚 Chinese zodiac fortune guide with the help of a seasoned master.
First, let鈥檚 start with the basics. The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth, meaning those born on or after the first day of the lunar calendar in 2026 will fall under the Horse sign. (Check out the illustrations below to find out which animal represents the year you were born.)
But that鈥檚 only the beginning. For faithful followers of the system, a year isn鈥檛 just categorized by its animal. There鈥檚 also a complex sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches.
Things are about to get hot
It鈥檚 complicated, but here鈥檚 a simplified explanation. Every year, a heavenly stem (one of five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is paired with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals).
This year, the heavenly stem is 鈥淏ing鈥 (big sun) and the earthly branch is 鈥淲u鈥 (the Horse), making it the Year of the Fire Horse.
So what exactly does that mean? For deeper insights into the year ahead, we met up with Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant who blends traditional Chinese geomancy with modern elements.
鈥淏ing represents the big sun, and the Horse, as a zodiac animal, is also a fire sign. So this is probably one of the most fiery years you will get,鈥 she says.
鈥淚ndustries associated with the fire category will dominate 鈥 from technology to anything that generates energy and fire. Arts, fashion and cooking also rely heavily on fire. You can expect these sectors to get more attention.鈥
Chow says that fire influence is going to impact both the weather and people鈥檚 temperaments 鈥 so the world should be on the lookout for more heat-related disasters this year, as well as heightened tensions in already heated relationships.
鈥淏ut for people who do need fire, this can be a very good year. Generally, people born in autumn and winter benefit from having more fire in their elements,鈥 she adds.
In feng shui, everyone鈥檚 birth chart is composed of different elements 鈥 metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The art of feng shui and Chinese fortune-telling is often about balancing these elements in our bodies and in nature.
鈥淭here is no absolute good or bad,鈥 says Chow. 鈥淥ne lesson I take from Confucian philosophy is that you can bring what you lack into your life through awareness and effort.鈥
Meet the 鈥楪rand Duke of Jupiter鈥
When it comes to individual luck, Chinese zodiac followers believe that their animal鈥檚 fortune depends on the positions of the stellar deities, collectively referred to as Tai Sui, that rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter in the sky.
Also known as the Grand Duke of Jupiter, Tai Sui is made up of 60 celestial deities, each of which controls a specific year for each zodiac sign in a 60-year cycle. Why Jupiter? Many centuries ago, Chinese astrologers realized it takes about 12 years for the planet to complete one orbit around the sun.
To calculate how each person will be affected in a particular year, a Chinese geomancy consultant looks at one鈥檚 birth chart, which is composed of a wide range of elements based on different Tai Sui stars鈥 positions on the day and time of their birth.
These combinations are important; some even use them to make huge life decisions for the year ahead, such as whether they should get married or start a business.
While many prefer to get a detailed consultation based on their own birth chart, most followers agree that analyzing the position of Tai Sui over each zodiac sign offers a general snapshot of the year to come.
For instance, if your zodiac sign is out of favor with Tai Sui this year, the experts say you might find yourself facing more disruptions and changes than usual.
But Chow is quick to add that the calendar is a rotating cycle and we should embrace changes with a positive mind.
鈥淎 year clashing with Tai Sui may sound scary,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut it often means a year full of changes 鈥 and changes bring opportunities to grow. Looking at it this way, it鈥檚 not necessarily a bad thing.鈥
Traditionally, followers resolve these 鈥渃lashes鈥 by visiting Chinese temples and making offerings to Tai Sui. And while there鈥檚 no harm in seeking comfort through ritual, Chow notes that feng shui isn鈥檛 tied to any single religion.
Don鈥檛 want to go to a temple? She encourages those who clash with Tai Sui to attend joyful social occasions to absorb more positive energy.
鈥淎ttend happy events,鈥 she says. 鈥淪urround yourself with people who boost your energy. Set boundaries. Protect your peace.鈥
With those wise words in mind, here鈥檚 Chow鈥檚 guidance on what each zodiac animal can expect during the year ahead.
Horse
Cue the dramatic music 鈥 this is your moment in the spotlight. In 2026, all you Horses will be facing your 鈥淏en Ming Nian鈥 鈥 your zodiac year matches your birth sign.
鈥淗orses will be the protagonists of 2026, as big changes are coming for them,鈥 says Chow.
That often means shake-ups across major life areas, from careers to relationships to family matters.
In traditional Chinese culture, people in their Ben Ming Nian are encouraged to 鈥渃ontrol the changes鈥 by focusing on happy milestones, such as getting married and having babies.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to remember the saying, 鈥極ne joyful event can ward off three disasters,鈥欌 says Chow.
鈥淚f there aren鈥檛 many things they can manually change, they can simply cultivate happy energy within themselves.鈥
With so much happening in the coming months, Horses should take extra care of their mental and physical health.
鈥淚t can be picking up a new breathing exercise or meditation practice 鈥 anything that helps you regulate emotions and keep yourself from overthinking,鈥 says Chow.
And there鈥檚 good news. She says big changes sometimes mean big money opportunities 鈥 and bigger growth.
Traveling to cooler destinations in the west and north may help improve luck, she adds.
鈥淔or Horses born before July in particular, they should be more careful before the summer and save the adventures for after July.鈥
Goat
Congratulations, Goats! The cosmic signs are in your favor this year.
People born in the Year of the Goat will enjoy Liuhe Tai Sui (or Six Harmonies with Tai Sui) 鈥 one of the most auspicious relationships you can have with the Grand Jupiter.
鈥淭hey will have a Guiren (Noble People) star on their path this year, which means they will have helpful friends and build strong connections,鈥 says Chow.
鈥淕uiren will offer timely support when they need it the most.鈥
Both work and relationships are set to run smoothly in 2026.
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly a blossoming year for Goats 鈥 when things are finally coming together,鈥 she says.
But she鈥檚 quick to add that doesn鈥檛 mean you should just sit back and do nothing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to be open-minded and be thankful, practise enjoying the moment this year,鈥 she says. 鈥淚f you spend too much time worrying about the past and future, you鈥檒l be wasting the present.
Monkey
For Monkeys, the Year of the Fire Horse promises to be relatively stable and peaceful.
As a metal- and water-heavy zodiac sign, Monkeys鈥 luck will remain fairly balanced in 2026.
鈥淐ompared to last year, their overall luck will improve across family friendship and work relationships,鈥 says Chow.
They may not feel the urge to travel as much as other signs this year 鈥 and that鈥檚 perfectly fine, as their luck doesn鈥檛 depend on their travel miles.
To maintain balance, Chow suggests incorporating more pastel oranges and pinks into their daily life.
鈥淚n feng shui philosophy, light colors carry the energy of Yang (the warm and bright side of Yin and Yang). When people look at you, they will see this brighter energy,鈥 she says.
Rooster
It鈥檚 going to be a year filled with love for people born in the Year of the Rooster 鈥 but that doesn鈥檛 mean things are going to go smoothly.
In 2026, Roosters will have a Taohua Xing (Peach Blossom) star shining over them. This generally means there will be an influx of new connections 鈥 whether you鈥檙e walking down the street, attending a party or traveling to a new destination.
While often an optimistic sign, Chow urges Roosters to proceed with care.
鈥淔or those looking for love, it鈥檚 easier for them to meet potential love interests but they need to distinguish between good Taohua 鈥 which is also a metaphor for love interests in Chinese culture 鈥 and bad ones. For people who are in a relationship already, they do need to be cautious not to create trouble,鈥 she says.
To avoid getting enmeshed in an 鈥渋t鈥檚 complicated鈥 romance, Roosters can consider wearing charms featuring bird and flower motifs.
鈥淗aving Taohua over them means they鈥檒l have more active relationships at work. But at the same time, Roosters should watch out for petty people and gossip that may come with these relationships,鈥 says Chow, who notes that Roosters will generally enjoy favorable health in the coming months.
Dog
In 2026, people born in the Year of the Dog will be under Sanhui Tai Sui, or the 鈥淭hree Meetings of Tai Sui鈥 star.
鈥淚t is a good star. It brings good luck in money, career and family,鈥 says Chow.
This quiet but powerful stellar alignment means a year of stability and solid rewards for Dogs, especially in terms of finance.
For some Dogs, it may be the year that long-awaited promotion finally happens.
鈥淭heir energy with the family will be quite strong this year,鈥 says Chow. 鈥淚t means better communications among family members. They will likely be getting together more often and enjoying happy events together.鈥
The one thing Dogs should be mindful of? Stomach and digestive health.
Pig
After clashing with Tai Sui last year, people born in the Year of the Pig will catch a breather in 2026 as they鈥檙e finally in a positive Tai Sui position.
鈥淚t鈥檚 called Anhe Tai Sui, which means it鈥檚 in a secret union with Tai Sui,鈥 says Chow. 鈥淟uck is coming back but slowly 鈥 across work, money, health and relationships.鈥
After a turbulent 2025, patience is key. The tide is turning, even if it doesn鈥檛 feel that way at the moment.
鈥淧eople often feel the shifts in fortune closer to their birthdays,鈥 says Chow. 鈥淚f they鈥檙e born in the summer, they鈥檒l feel the energy shifting in summer. If they鈥檙e born in the winter, they鈥檒l have to wait a little bit longer.鈥
Chow says it鈥檚 important for Pigs to remember to give themselves time to heal from last year鈥檚 drama.
Wearing pastel pink, orange and yellow should be able to help bring joy and hope to their days, she adds.
Rat
Brace yourselves, it will be a significant 鈥 and demanding 鈥 year for people born in the Year of the Rat, as they will be clashing with Tai Sui (or Chong Tai Sui).
鈥淩ats should pay very close attention to their health in 2026. The strong moving energy means there is going to be a lot of major changes ahead 鈥 from relationships to career paths,鈥 says Chow.
In addition to adopting a new wellness routine or scheduling a health checkup, Chow suggests hitting the road.
鈥淕oing out more is better generally for Rats this year,鈥 says Chow.
鈥淲hen traveling, they could consider Asian destinations where there are more wood and fire elements, such as Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Warmer areas are quite good for them,鈥 she adds.
And there is a silver lining. Chow says the Rat, being a water sign, balances the fire of the year quite well, potentially alleviating the clash.
Dressing in pink may further boost their luck this year, she adds.
鈥淩emember, changes may result in bigger opportunities.鈥
Ox
After enjoying an agreeable position with Tai Sui last year, Oxen will find themselves in a bit of a prickly position, making them more prone to small injuries and petty people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a major clash with Tai Sui. Oxen just need to be more mindful of relationships and choose partnerships carefully, either in business or in friendship,鈥 says Chow.
Misunderstandings may arise more easily than usual.
Having a movement star hovering over them this year, Oxen should take this as an opportunity to travel more.
鈥淭hey may need to keep traveling. They can also be more adventurous this year. Explore places you haven鈥檛 been. Take some boat rides,鈥 says Chow.
Tiger
Good news for Tigers: the deity Hui Tai Sui is greeting Tai Sui in 2026 鈥 a friendly alignment.
鈥淭his usually means you will be enjoying good relationships and good companionship in the Year of the Horse. It may suggest more opportunities at work,鈥 says Chow.
鈥淕ood unions of all sorts.鈥
Single Tigers may even find love this year, if they are looking. But because they are wood and fire heavy, which will be amplified further in the Year of the Fire Horse, Tigers do need to watch out for potential stomach and digestion issues, as well as their eyesight.
鈥淭hey have to be more mindful, especially during spring and summer,鈥 says Chow.
Staying near water and dressing in cool tones will help soothe the fire as well, she adds.
Rabbit
People born in the Year of the Rabbit should proceed with caution this year.
鈥淩abbits are Xing Tai Sui this year (in a punishing relationship with Tai Sui). They have to be more careful with people they are in love with,鈥 says Chow.
That doesn鈥檛 mean cutting all ties abruptly. Rabbits just have to be observant before committing to people around them this year.
鈥淭hey can feel more challenges at work. They will feel less help coming their way,鈥 says Chow.
What they could do is to wear metallic colors and accessories to help balance their own element 鈥 wood.
鈥淲ood grows fire, whereas metal suppresses wood. It will help balance the elements,鈥 says the geomancer.
Dragon
With Yima Sing, the Traveling Horse star, watching over them in 2026, people born in the Year of the Dragon can expect the coming months to be full of movement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an excellent year for travels, moving homes or offices and changing jobs,鈥 says Chow.
She says that Dragons may also get promotions at work in 2026.
But a word of caution. Those who have Yima Xing watching over them should avoid staying still.
鈥淚f they force themselves to stay put this year, they will often feel antsy and may be prone to injuring themselves, but far less aggressively than if they were clashing with Tai Sui,鈥 Chow explains.
Health-wise, Dragons, the earthy zodiac sign, will need to watch out for digestion and stomach issues 鈥 as fire nurtures earth, and an excess of fire can overwhelm the earth organs (stomach and digestive system) in your body.
In other words: Try not to overindulge too much this year.
Snake
After facing their 鈥淏en Ming Nian鈥 (the same zodiac year as their birth sign) in 2025, Snakes will be relieved to hear that they will have no direct relationship with Tai Sui in 2026.
This usually signals a calmer year 鈥 but Chow urges caution.
Snakes are a very fiery zodiac sign. So the year may still feel intense. Work requires extra vigilance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very easy to lose what they have gained this year. One moment you feel like you have worked hard and gained what you earned, the next moment somebody else may take the credit,鈥 says Chow.
To remedy this, Snakes should try to balance their elements 鈥 avoid adding more fire to an already heated year by avoiding the colors red, pink and purple.
Stick with blue, white and metallic colors. Snakes could also travel to cooler places with oceans and rivers to counter some of that heat, adds Chow.
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