Chinese New Year 2026: Colour Warning Issued for Celebrations
As Chinese New Year commences on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a significant warning has been issued regarding clothing choices during the festivities. The 15-day festival, celebrated across multiple Asian cultures including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities, marks the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. This year presents a unique situation where traditional colour symbolism undergoes a dramatic reversal.
The Fire Horse Year Exception
Social media influencer Rachel, who hails from Canada and Hong Kong, has highlighted an important consideration for 2026 celebrations. Through a viral TikTok video, she explained that 2026 represents the Year of the Fire Horse, creating an unusual circumstance where the typically auspicious colour red could actually bring misfortune. "Fire is already at its peak this year," Rachel cautioned, "so wearing red is like adding gasoline to the fire."
This represents a significant departure from traditional Chinese New Year practices where red decorations and clothing dominate celebrations. Historically, red has been considered a protective colour believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. However, the Fire Horse year creates an imbalance where additional fiery elements could lead to negative outcomes including burnout, heightened tempers, and increased arguments.
Recommended Alternative Colours
To maintain balance and ensure good luck throughout 2026, Rachel recommends embracing earthy tones that can ground the excessive fire energy. "This year it's actually recommended to wear earth or wood colours," she advised. Suitable alternatives include:
- Earth tones such as beige, cream, or brown
- Wood tones including sage or forest green
For those seeking maximum fortune, Rachel suggests consulting specific colour recommendations based on individual zodiac signs. However, for general protection against misfortune, simply avoiding red clothing suffices.
Additional Colour Considerations
Beyond the red warning, traditional colour restrictions remain in place for Chinese New Year celebrations. Both black and white clothing should be avoided entirely during festival events, as these colours are associated with mourning and death in Chinese culture. Given that Chinese New Year represents a celebration of new beginnings and prosperity, wearing mourning colours would be considered highly inappropriate.
Commenters on Rachel's video expressed varying opinions about the colour guidance. While some acknowledged the traditional wisdom behind avoiding red during the Fire Horse year, others emphasized that avoiding black and white takes priority. "Just don't wear black or white, people," one commenter noted. "You'll be fine. If you're concerned, just wear something red as an accessory."
Other Chinese New Year Taboos
The colour guidance forms part of a broader set of traditional practices and prohibitions observed during Chinese New Year celebrations. Additional activities to avoid include:
- Eating porridge for breakfast, as it symbolizes poverty
- Doing laundry on New Year's Day, which might wash away good fortune
- Washing or cutting hair on the first day, potentially bringing misfortune to family members
According to cultural resources like China Highlights, "Hair must not be washed on Chinese New Year's Day, as it is seen as not a good thing to 'wash one's fortune away' at the beginning of the New Year." These practices reflect the deep cultural significance attached to maintaining and attracting good fortune throughout the coming year.
As UK cities prepare to host numerous Chinese New Year events over the coming weeks, attendees now have additional considerations for their celebration attire. While the colour red traditionally dominates these festivities, 2026 presents a unique exception where balance through alternative colours might prove more beneficial for those seeking a fortunate year ahead.
