What in the World - It’s the year of the Fire Horse!

Download It’s the year of the Fire Horse!

We’re talking about Lunar New Year - it’s the year of the fire horse and it’s the first time this particular combination of Chinese zodiac sign and element has rolled around in 60 years, and the hype is real.

The story, myth and legend of the animals of the Chinese New Year calendar comes from an ancient Chinese poem telling the story of 12 mythical animals who ended up racing each other to decide which order they would appear in the Chinese zodiac.

We’re gonna get into how the Lunar New Year is celebrated across the world, hear from some BBC pals about how they’re celebrating and also from some of you guys about your traditions and why this year is special.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Wednesday, 18th February 2026.

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