This Chinese New Year on February 17, we’ll be celebrating the Year of the Horse.

In one ancient myth, the Jade Emperor declared that the order of zodiac signs would be based on the order that each of the 12 animals finished a great race where they had to cross a river. 

According to the legend, the Horse finished the race in seventh place. Galloping toward the finish line, the Horse looked set to finish sixth, behind the Dragon. But the Snake had hid on its hoof, and when it suddenly appeared the Horse was started, allowing the snake to take the lead. 

Those born in the year of the Horse have several traits - they are typically thought to be warm-hearted, frank, dynamic, zealous, persistent - and stingy with money.

And when it comes to love, they are the most compatible with those born in the year of the Tiger, Sheep, and Rabbit, whose personalities often complement these traits.

Each animal in the zodiac has its own traits and compatible signs. To find out yours, simply enter your date of birth below: 

Chinese new year also coincides with the first eclipse of 2026 - the 'ring of fire' eclipse. 

It's visible only along a slim corridor cutting across Antarctica. For those within this path, it offers a brief but extraordinary view of one of the year’s standout celestial spectacles. This type of eclipse, known as an annular solar eclipse, happens when the Moon moves directly between Earth and the Sun but is positioned too far from our planet to cover the Sun completely. As a result, a thin, brilliant ring of sunlight remains visible around the Moon’s silhouette.