Chinese New Year Day will be observed on February 17, 2026. This is the year of the horse, more specifically, the Fire Horse. This is a rare and powerful combination that only occurs once every 60 years (the last one was in 1966). Because of this, several horse-based merchandise items are in the market and flying off the shelves. But at Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, people are flocking to look for a specific kind of horse - the crying one. It is not exactly what was ordered, but there are some of them you can find if you are able to successfully hunt for them. It is a red plushie horse with a mouth that is turned downwards instead of smiling. It has a gold bell around its neck and eyes that are turned away from the holder's gaze. The toy has gone viral on social media. People are coming to the shop for the crying horse, instead of one that is smiling.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">China&#39;s &#39;crying horse&#39; sells out fast; goes viral in the country Sad-faced horse strikes chord with shoppers<a href="https://twitter.com/ShivanChanana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShivanChanana</a> has more <a href="https://t.co/bDvBLJC3AS">pic.twitter.com/bDvBLJC3AS</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2015702798680326408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A production blunder at a factory in eastern China has turned toy ponies into viral crying-faced horses which have become popular mascots for the Year of the Horse. --South China Morning Post <a href="https://t.co/faMOYw3jq3">pic.twitter.com/faMOYw3jq3</a>&mdash; Alex Santic (@TopofMurrayHill) <a href="https://twitter.com/TopofMurrayHill/status/2013624583841067306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The horse wasn't meant to have a crying face. However, a manufacturing mistake happened as a worker sewed it upside down. But it turned out to be a happy mistake as people are going crazy over the "crying horse". Zhang Huoqing, owner of the Yiwu-based shop Happy Sister, said that she offered to return customers' money after discovering the flaw, but the person refused. Soon, the horse exploded on social media, and now everyone wants one. People are bagging the hors,e saying it mirrors their own plight. A user wrote that the horse is a depiction of their long working hours and stress. The crying horse is in line with the "ugly-cute" toys trend, like the Labubu, that witnessed crazy high demand across the globe. The store plans to keep selling the "flawed" version of the horse because of the high demand.<h2>Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac</h2>The year 2026 is the year of the fire horse in the Chinese zodiac. As the Lunar New Year begins, people are getting several things related to the horse. The Horse represents energy, freedom, and independence. Adding the Fire element makes this year particularly dynamic, passionate, and fast-paced. It is also being seen as a "Double Fire" year, since in Chinese metaphysics, the Horse is already a "Fire" sign.&nbsp;

Chinese New Year Day is approaching, and a red horse plushie with a frown on its face is in high demand. It wasn't supposed to be that way, but ended up crying because of a manufacturing error. 

Chinese New Year Day will be observed on February 17, 2026. This is the year of the horse, more specifically, the Fire Horse. This is a rare and powerful combination that only occurs once every 60 years (the last one was in 1966). Because of this, several horse-based merchandise items are in the market and flying off the shelves. But at Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, people are flocking to look for a specific kind of horse - the crying one. It is not exactly what was ordered, but there are some of them you can find if you are able to successfully hunt for them. It is a red plushie horse with a mouth that is turned downwards instead of smiling. It has a gold bell around its neck and eyes that are turned away from the holder's gaze. The toy has gone viral on social media. People are coming to the shop for the crying horse, instead of one that is smiling.

Chinese New Year Day is approaching, and a red horse plushie with a frown on its face is in high demand. It wasn't supposed to be that way, but ended up crying because of a manufacturing error.&nbsp;

Viral 'crying' red horse turns out to be a happy mistake as Chinese queue up

China experienced an extraordinary surge in travel during the three-day new year holiday, with domestic tourist trips soaring by 155% compared to last year. The tourism revenue hit an impressive 79.73 billion Yuan, reflecting a nation on the move.

128 million passenger trips across China | World Business Watch

The world of trends created within the universe of the internet never stops surprising. This time, a giant rabbit lantern was torn down in south-west China after internet users complained that it was too ugly. The lantern was placed at Sanxia Square in Chongqing, a city of 30 million, to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year.

"The rabbit has thick eyebrows and looks like a man with a serious expression. Is this a festive rabbit?,"&nbsp;a user is reported to have said on messaging app WeChat.

Another WeChat user reportedly wrote: "It looks like a rabbit goblin."

In the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-chinas-chun-yun-the-largest-annual-migration-in-the-world-550353">Explained: What is China's ‘chun yun’, the largest annual migration in the world?</a>

"Internet users say that the rabbit lantern at the square is too embarrassing. After the complaint, we got someone to demolish it," the Sangxia Square Commercial District Management Committee told local media outlet Hongxin News, BBC reported.

But on the other side of the same coin of arguments, some people said it was not necessary to remove the lantern saying that it looked like a traditional rabbit.

In Chinese culture, the rabbit is considered a gentle animal.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-40-day-lunar-new-year-migration-begins-amid-surging-covid-550307">China: 40-day Lunar New Year migration begins amid surging Covid</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-40-day-lunar-new-year-migration-begins-amid-surging-covid-550307/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Earlier this month, reports emerged saying there was backlash against one of the special stamps for the Year of the Rabbit, released by China Post earlier this month.

The stamp features a blue rabbit with red eyes which has a pen and a piece of paper. People on the internet, however, called it "evil", "scary" and "monstrous", reports said.

But according to local media, the polarising China Post stamp was sold out on the first day of sales itself.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The world of trends created within the universe of the internet never stops surprising. This time, a giant rabbit lantern was torn down in south-west China after internet users complained that it was too ugly.

The world of trends created within the universe of the internet never stops surprising. This time, a giant rabbit lantern was torn down in south-west China after internet users complained that it was too ugly. The lantern was placed at Sanxia Square in Chongqing, a city of 30 million, to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year. "The rabbit has thick eyebrows and looks like a man with a serious expression. Is this a festive rabbit?," a user is reported to have said on messaging app WeChat. Another WeChat user reportedly wrote: "It looks like a rabbit goblin." In the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. ALSO READ | Explained: What is China's ‘chun yun’, the largest annual migration in the world? "Internet users say that the rabbit lantern at the square is too embarrassing. After the complaint, we got someone to demolish it," the Sangxia Square Commercial District Management Committee told local media outlet Hongxin News, BBC reported. But on the other side of the same coin of arguments, some people said it was not necessary to remove the lantern saying that it looked like a traditional rabbit. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is considered a gentle animal. ALSO WATCH | China: 40-day Lunar New Year migration begins amid surging Covid × Earlier this month, reports emerged saying there was backlash against one of the special stamps for the Year of the Rabbit, released by China Post earlier this month. The stamp features a blue rabbit with red eyes which has a pen and a piece of paper. People on the internet, however, called it "evil", "scary" and "monstrous", reports said. But according to local media, the polarising China Post stamp was sold out on the first day of sales itself. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese city takes down rabbit lantern as internet finds it ‘ugly’

China is getting ready to greet the Year of the Rabbit, as the Year of the Tiger ends on January 21. This celestial change of guard&nbsp;may be a fitting metaphor for the changes that have been happening on the ground as well.

In October, when Xi Jinping was elected as the party head for an unprecedented third term, the mood in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seemed to be one of complete control of the situation. In his report to the party Congress, Xi hailed the implementation of the Zero Covid policy, saying it had “achieved significant positive results”.

When Xi unveiled the Standing Committee of the CCP politburo, the group which is to steer China in the coming years and is packed with his loyalists, it was seen as a complete triumph for the strongman, but very few foresaw a twist in the tail, as the Year of the Tiger drew to a close.

An organic countrywide protest against the Covid restrictions in November took even seasoned China watchers by surprise, as it was virtually unheard of in China. The spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid virus saw China’s lockdown mechanism failing to arrest the number of infections, and soon it all became chaotic as Beijing suddenly pulled the plug on its Zero Covid policy, which was till then seen as Xi’s signature policy.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-population-falls-to-a-60-year-low-demographers-predict-nation-will-get-old-before-it-gets-rich-553315">China's population falls to a 60 year low</a>

Overnight, official statements changed and the infections were characterised as mild illness and testing centres that had been in place in almost every city were dismantled. Armies of people in hazmat suits vanished overnight. It took almost three weeks before Xi himself commented on the new changed policy, even as authorities at the local level grappled with the new situation. The country has entered “a new phase of Covid response,” he told the nation on January 18.

The sudden lifting of all restrictions left Chinese hospitals swamped with patients as those infected could not even find a testing centre and had to rely on the nearest health facilities. As the vaccination rate among those aged over 80 was less than 60 percent, even Chinese officials were worried that over a million deaths would be caused by Covid by April. Officials then suspended reports on daily infection numbers, which prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to plead for more transparency and valid data on the disease situation.

The relentless pursuit of the Zero Covid policy also caused some serious setbacks to the Chinese economy. From a position of projected rise as the foremost economy overtaking the United States by 2030, the gap between the two top economies widened further as the Chinese economy stalled over the last three years. The Japan Centre for Economic Research said last month that China's nominal GDP is unlikely to surpass the US in the next few decades due to Beijing's strict adherence to its Zero Covid policy and other related headwinds.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-regional-governments-spent-billions-on-covid-prevention-and-control-a-budget-report-reveals-553403">China's regional governments spent billions on COVID prevention and control, a budget report reveals</a>

It was not just the Covid policy that underwent changes. Soon, other policies that bore Xi's signature were also getting tweaked, like his crackdown on tech giants. China's video games regulator started granting licenses to new games, which had been on hold for months, while the ride-hailing app Didi was allowed to resume new registrations. Curbs on real estate funding are being eased, and Beijing is now reportedly working on a 450 billion yuan plan to prop up the troubled sector.

Xi has touted common prosperity as a cornerstone of his government policies, and tech giants like Alibaba announced a 100 billion dollar investment to make his dream of the society sharing wealth more equitably come true. After Beijing started changing tack on its key policies, the state media also seems to have lost its penchant for trumpeting the common prosperity goal.

On the global stage, China seems to be shedding the wolf warrior diplomacy and adopting a more accommodative tone. While signaling a willingness to talk with the US on issues like climate change and global trade, Beijing has also indicated it would soon lift some of the unofficial trade bans imposed on Australian goods.

But it is foolhardy to assume that Beijing is making a U-turn in all key policies it has been pursuing until recently. Its crackdown on November protesters continues, according to Chinese social media posts, while the CCP continues to choke Hong Kong, depriving it of most of the autonomy the global financial centre had enjoyed. On the Indian border, intrusions into Indian areas continue, while its military posturing over Taiwan airspace goes on unabated.

The opaque political system of the Chinese Communist Party seldom lets the outside world know what is happening in its corridors of power, and it may be decades before any solid evidence emerges about what prompted the current changes in Chinese policies. Even some of the seasoned China watchers are now left scratching their heads about the rapid changes being rolled out by Beijing. All one can be sure of right now is that the tiger has given way to the rabbit, at least on the Chinese zodiac calendar.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

China is getting ready to greet the Year of the Rabbit, as the Year of the Tiger ends on January 21. This celestial change of guard may be a fitting metaphor for the changes that have been happening on the ground as well.

China is getting ready to greet the Year of the Rabbit, as the Year of the Tiger ends on January 21. This celestial change of guard may be a fitting metaphor for the changes that have been happening on the ground as well. In October, when Xi Jinping was elected as the party head for an unprecedented third term, the mood in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seemed to be one of complete control of the situation. In his report to the party Congress, Xi hailed the implementation of the Zero Covid policy, saying it had “achieved significant positive results”. When Xi unveiled the Standing Committee of the CCP politburo, the group which is to steer China in the coming years and is packed with his loyalists, it was seen as a complete triumph for the strongman, but very few foresaw a twist in the tail, as the Year of the Tiger drew to a close. An organic countrywide protest against the Covid restrictions in November took even seasoned China watchers by surprise, as it was virtually unheard of in China. The spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid virus saw China’s lockdown mechanism failing to arrest the number of infections, and soon it all became chaotic as Beijing suddenly pulled the plug on its Zero Covid policy, which was till then seen as Xi’s signature policy. Also Read | China's population falls to a 60 year low Overnight, official statements changed and the infections were characterised as mild illness and testing centres that had been in place in almost every city were dismantled. Armies of people in hazmat suits vanished overnight. It took almost three weeks before Xi himself commented on the new changed policy, even as authorities at the local level grappled with the new situation. The country has entered “a new phase of Covid response,” he told the nation on January 18. The sudden lifting of all restrictions left Chinese hospitals swamped with patients as those infected could not even find a testing centre and had to rely on the nearest health facilities. As the vaccination rate among those aged over 80 was less than 60 percent, even Chinese officials were worried that over a million deaths would be caused by Covid by April. Officials then suspended reports on daily infection numbers, which prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to plead for more transparency and valid data on the disease situation. The relentless pursuit of the Zero Covid policy also caused some serious setbacks to the Chinese economy. From a position of projected rise as the foremost economy overtaking the United States by 2030, the gap between the two top economies widened further as the Chinese economy stalled over the last three years. The Japan Centre for Economic Research said last month that China's nominal GDP is unlikely to surpass the US in the next few decades due to Beijing's strict adherence to its Zero Covid policy and other related headwinds. Also Read | China's regional governments spent billions on COVID prevention and control, a budget report reveals It was not just the Covid policy that underwent changes. Soon, other policies that bore Xi's signature were also getting tweaked, like his crackdown on tech giants. China's video games regulator started granting licenses to new games, which had been on hold for months, while the ride-hailing app Didi was allowed to resume new registrations. Curbs on real estate funding are being eased, and Beijing is now reportedly working on a 450 billion yuan plan to prop up the troubled sector. Xi has touted common prosperity as a cornerstone of his government policies, and tech giants like Alibaba announced a 100 billion dollar investment to make his dream of the society sharing wealth more equitably come true. After Beijing started changing tack on its key policies, the state media also seems to have lost its penchant for trumpeting the common prosperity goal. On the global stage, China seems to be shedding the wolf warrior diplomacy and adopting a more accommodative tone. While signaling a willingness to talk with the US on issues like climate change and global trade, Beijing has also indicated it would soon lift some of the unofficial trade bans imposed on Australian goods. But it is foolhardy to assume that Beijing is making a U-turn in all key policies it has been pursuing until recently. Its crackdown on November protesters continues, according to Chinese social media posts, while the CCP continues to choke Hong Kong, depriving it of most of the autonomy the global financial centre had enjoyed. On the Indian border, intrusions into Indian areas continue, while its military posturing over Taiwan airspace goes on unabated. The opaque political system of the Chinese Communist Party seldom lets the outside world know what is happening in its corridors of power, and it may be decades before any solid evidence emerges about what prompted the current changes in Chinese policies. Even some of the seasoned China watchers are now left scratching their heads about the rapid changes being rolled out by Beijing. All one can be sure of right now is that the tiger has given way to the rabbit, at least on the Chinese zodiac calendar. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In China, the tiger gives way to a rabbit

The Chinese are probably looking forward to 2021. The Chinese New Year, which commences on February 2021, will mark the Year of the Ox, according to their 12-year zodiac.

What is China's year of ox and why it matters to the people in China

Amid the outbreak of deadly coronavirus, the Chinese still have something to cheer with the arrival of the new year.&nbsp;This year holds special significance for Chinese as 2020 will be the Year of the Rat, which arrives after an interval of 12 years.

Chinese New Year, which is also known as Lunar Near Year, will fall on Saturday 25.&nbsp;The date of the new year varies each year as it comes as per the lunisolar Chinese calendar.

<img alt="China lunar year" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb4b6085-a255-4219-9a8f-d3a75b47af9f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/VyDJDpAz.jpg" />

(Visitors in traditional cheongsams take a selfie in a shop decorated for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bangkok | Photo Credit: AFP)&nbsp;

The last year was celebrated as the Year of the Pig and 2021 will mark as the Year of the Ox.&nbsp;

<blockquote>
<img alt="China New Year" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b5661c3b-a22a-4654-9f92-6a0e6d05c8fa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/acKyrr93.jpg" />

(A woman poses for pictures in a shop decorated for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bangkok | AFP) 
&nbsp;
</blockquote>

The Chinese decorate their homes with red colour and participate in parades as part of the celebrations to welcome the Year of the Rat.&nbsp;

The rat is the first of the 12 animals as per the Chinese zodiac.&nbsp;

As per a popular mythological tale, rodent is a symbol of intelligence and quick-witticism. As per the story, the Jade Emperor organised a race among a group of animals on his birthday and the results decided the order of the zodiac.&nbsp;

Since rats also have high reproduction rates, they are also a symbol of fertility.&nbsp;

William Shakespeare, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson and the Duke of Sussex were some of the prominent personalities born on the Year of the Rat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Amid the outbreak of deadly coronavirus, the Chinese still have something to cheer with the arrival of the new year. This year holds special significance for Chinese as 2020 will be the Year of the Rat, which arrives after an interval of 12 years.

Amid the outbreak of deadly coronavirus, the Chinese still have something to cheer with the arrival of the new year. This year holds special significance for Chinese as 2020 will be the Year of the Rat, which arrives after an interval of 12 years. Chinese New Year, which is also known as Lunar Near Year, will fall on Saturday 25. The date of the new year varies each year as it comes as per the lunisolar Chinese calendar. (Visitors in traditional cheongsams take a selfie in a shop decorated for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bangkok | Photo Credit: AFP) The last year was celebrated as the Year of the Pig and 2021 will mark as the Year of the Ox. (A woman poses for pictures in a shop decorated for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bangkok | AFP) The Chinese decorate their homes with red colour and participate in parades as part of the celebrations to welcome the Year of the Rat. The rat is the first of the 12 animals as per the Chinese zodiac. As per a popular mythological tale, rodent is a symbol of intelligence and quick-witticism. As per the story, the Jade Emperor organised a race among a group of animals on his birthday and the results decided the order of the zodiac. Since rats also have high reproduction rates, they are also a symbol of fertility. William Shakespeare, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson and the Duke of Sussex were some of the prominent personalities born on the Year of the Rat.

As New Year approaches in China, a look at Year of the Rat

Ukraine's military staged air-defence drills on Saturday (April 13) in the country's east, next to the sea of Azov. Watch video to know more.

Ukraine stage large-scale military drills in the east

china-new-year

China New Year, News on China New Year, stories on China New Year, articles on China New Year, China New Year stories at Wion, China New Year news, China New Year latest news

china new-year