By: Brooklyn Nelson

The Chinese New Year began Feb. 17 and lasts until Feb. 5, 2027. The year of the Fire Horse is in full swing after not occurring since 1966 according to the Chinese zodiac cycle. The new year is an important holiday that is celebrated with both friends and family. University of Arkansas student Eli Iliria saw this first hand while he was studying abroad in Beijing last year. 

“Studying abroad gave me a much deeper appreciation for Chinese new year,” Iliria said. “What stood out to me most was how the entire rhythm of the country changed during this holiday. Train stations and airports were filled with people traveling home to see family.”

Growing up celebrating the Chinese New Year, U of A student Ella Tran feels nostalgic looking back on her family’s traditions during this time of year. Wishing she could relieve those sweet moments, she continues to celebrate with her community here in Fayetteville, though it may look different. 

“We’ve settled for house gatherings that consist of spending time with friends and sharing joy,” Tran said. “I try to plan something every year that has some aspect of the culture, whether it be food or just fun activities.”

Big family reunions take place here to celebrate the upcoming year. Iliria recalls making assortments of foods with his community like pork dumplings to represent wealth and prosperity as well as fish to symbolize abundance. Beyond family gatherings, there are tons of big public celebrations such as temple fairs, cultural performances, firework shows and the famous lion dances, which Tran has fond memories of.

“I remember being surrounded by these lion dances, and at first, being afraid, but then open to the culture and fun that comes with it,” Tran said. “Whilst providing an entertain[ment] factor, they are a symbol of the Lunar New Year culture. 

While the holiday is centered around Chinese culture, it continues to be celebrated everywhere. Tran believes there are endless possibilities for Lunar New Year celebrations, so there’s no wrong way to celebrate. Many students on campus decided to do their own little things to celebrate and bring good luck going into this year.

U of A student Kayla Knaust did some research on what all the holiday consists of after celebrating for the first time this year, 

“On that day I looked up little things to do and not to do,” Knaust said. “I didn’t cut my hair, I didn’t take out the trash, sweep, sew anything, and most importantly, I didn’t wash my hair.”

According to sources on social media, there are small daily activities that are advised to skip out on in order to keep your luck going into the rest of the year. Cutting your hair supposedly cuts off your wealth and prosperity, and sweeping or throwing out the trash symbolizes throwing away your good fortune. U of A student Grace Lyons remarked that she also decided not to wash her hair.

“I did see that you weren’t supposed to wash your hair on the night of, because then you would wash away all the good things that will happen in the year,” Lyons said. “I’m a little superstitious, so I didn’t wash my hair in hopes of having a good rest of the year.” 

As someone who loves having something to look forward to, Knaust enjoyed her preparation for and celebration of the Chinese New Year. Based on the  symbolism of  Fire Horse, people celebrating are hoping for a year of movement, independence, strength and high energy. 

After writing out what she wanted to gain from the New Year and what she wants to leave behind, Knaust is looking forward to this year of free-spirit and pushing forward. As a Scorpio, this year is supposed to be great luck for her and she can not wait to see what comes at her in 2026.

As everyone enters the year with new goals, environments and motivations, the Fire Horse is taken in various ways into different aspects of life. When Iliria moves back into a small town after living a city lifestyle, he hopes to embody the horse’s energy and independence as he eases into the change.

“For me personally, I hope to carry that mindset of openness and momentum this year as I readjust back to living in the U.S,” Iliria said. 

Both Lyons and Tran feel the dynamic energy radiating off the year of the Fire Horse. While Lyons hopes to make this new period a space to grow as a person, Tran hopes that as a community, we can remember this power and use it to persevere though tough times. The Year of the Fire Horse is here to embrace and embody in many forms, but is always meant to be celebrated together, as one.

“Through this aspiration to live in the moment this year, we as a community can grow to understand each other as people on the same Earth, rather than strangers with ill intentions,” Tran said. “Chinese New Year stands to bring people together through shared joy.”