Lunar New Year has now officially begun (Image: Getty)
This week marks the beginning of a brand new year in the Chinese calendar. Lunar New Year, kicking off yesterday with the celebrations lasting until March 3, is one of the biggest holidays in Chinese culture.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, which represents intensity, confidence, taking action and impulsivity. And depending on your zodiac sign, the colours you choose to wear are said to have an impact on how the year goes for you. Fashion buyer Philippa Brooks from Chums has shared the luckiest colours to wear for Chinese New Year and what they represent – and the best colours to wear for your sign.
Read more: Chinese New Year 2026 – Year of the Fire Horse and what it means for you
Read more: Don’t wear common colour during Chinese New Year or risk bad luck in 2026
Red is the most iconic colour for Chinese New Year, symbolising good luck, protection from bad energy, and happiness. It was historically believed to ward off misfortune and bad spirits, and is bold, attention-grabbing and often associated with passion and energy, so wearing red – whether it’s a full outfit of just an accessory – is the luckiest colour.
Gold represents wealth, success, and prosperity, and is linked to royalty and power. It’s often linked with red to symbolise fortune, and gold jewellery, accessories, and embroidery are popular to bring luck.
Luckiest signs: Dragon (gold), Monkey (yellow)
Wearing gold around Lunar New Year is said to bring good luck and prosperity (Image: Getty)
Oranges are given as gifts for the Chinese New Year. They as seen as symbols of good luck and wealth, as the Mandarin pronunciation of the word sounds like the word for ‘good luck’, and in Cantonese, it is the same word for ‘gold’.
Chinese New Year is the start of a new lunar cycle, and green is good colour to represent new beginnings, growth, and health. It’s linked with linked with nature, calm, and renewal, and is a good colour to bring luck when setting intentions for your career and personal growth.
Wearing certain colours as the Year of the Horse kicks off could bring you a lot of luck (Image: Getty)
Purple symbolises honour, wealth, and spiritual awareness. It’s particularly common in southern China as a more modern option for the luck that red brings – it’s less traditional, but still meaningful.
Luckiest signs: Snake, Monkey
Like purple, blue is less traditional than red or gold, but it is still positive. It represents peace, healing, and freshness, and suggests hope for the new year ahead.
Pink is a good option to bring luck if you’re hoping to strengthen relationships or attract love in the new year, as it symbolises romance and happiness.
Best colours for your sign
Fire signs (birth year ending in 6 or 7) – red, orange
Earth signs (birth year ending in 8 or 9) – yellow, brown
Metal signs (Birth year ending in 0 or 1) – gold, silver
Water signs (birth year ending in 2 or 3) – blue
Wood signs (birth year ending in 4 or 5) – green, blue