The Chinese New Year begins on January 31st, bringing with it a shift in energy and influences for a whole year as represented by the symbolism of the horse. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in the Chinese year, and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 14th, coinciding this year with Valentine’s Day!
The yin, female energy of the snake changes to the high yang energy represented by the horse. The horse has been a much loved animal in China over the centuries, helping to win battles due to its strength and speed. It is therefore considered fortunate and thought to bring success.
The horse also symbolises nobility, intelligence and social aptitude. Admired for its free spirit, strength and speed, it is competitive, action oriented and represents freedom and adventure.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year
- This is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Remembering and honouring members of the family who have died is also very important
- Presents are bought and exchanged and new clothes worn
- Houses are thoroughly cleaned as a way to sweep out negativity and bad luck from the previous year, and making way for fresh, new energy and good luck
- Lights and lanterns are hung outside homes. Doors and windows are often painted in red and decorations in red and gold are hung on the doors with messages of good fortune. Red is considered a lucky colour as it scares away bad fortune, and gold represents wealth
- Younger members of the family are given red ‘lucky envelopes’ to pass on prosperity
The Year of the Horse in Fashion
Never letting an opportunity pass to impress and seduce the label conscious Chinese consumers, global brands have been busy designing special Year of the Horse products.
Here are some examples:
Even RollsRoyce has added the Horse to its horse power!
Not to be left behind, Ananya too, has been putting its creative juices to work and have designed some spirited Chinese New Year greeting cards. Generous use of the ever favoured red colour symbolises luck, happiness and good fortune. Wonderful designs full of blessings to send to friends and loved ones!
What Year of the Horse designs have you seen incorporated in fashion?