Chinese New Year quotes 2026: Year of the Horse sayings

Chinese New Year quotes are traditional sayings and blessings shared during the Lunar New Year to wish others prosperity, health and good fortune. For the Year of the Horse 2026, popular phrases include 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng), meaning “success upon the horse’s arrival”, and 龙马精神 (lóng mǎ jīng shén), meaning “the spirit of the dragon and horse.”

Chinese New Year Quotes 2026: 150+ Sayings for the Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year quotes are traditional sayings and blessings shared during the Lunar New Year to wish others prosperity, health and good fortune. For the Year of the Horse 2026, popular phrases include 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng), meaning “success upon the horse’s arrival”, and 龙马精神 (lóng mǎ jīng shén), meaning “the spirit of the dragon and horse.”

Whether you are writing greeting cards, posting on social media or toasting at a family reunion dinner, these quotes capture the spirit of celebration and hope that defines this important holiday. This guide shares over 150 meaningful Chinese New Year sayings organised by theme, all updated for the Year of the Horse 2026.

Explore our complete guide to Chinese New Year wishes

Why share Chinese New Year quotes?

Sharing quotes and sayings during Chinese New Year is more than a tradition—it is a way to connect with loved ones, honour cultural heritage and set positive intentions for the year ahead.

• Express good fortune: Quotes centred on wealth, health, and happiness align with New Year goals.
• Strengthen relationships: Thoughtful words show care and deepen bonds with family and friends.
• Preserve tradition: Passing down proverbs connects generations to their cultural roots.
• Inspire action: Many sayings encourage resilience, hard work and optimism.

In the Year of the Horse 2026, quotes that reference the Horse’s energy, speed and success are especially meaningful and timely.

Horse-themed quotes for 2026 (Year of the Horse sayings)

The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising energy, freedom, ambition and forward progress. These quotes capture the spirit of the Year of the Horse:

Classic Horse proverbs

1. 马到成功 (pronounced mǎ dào chéng gōng, third-fourth-second tone) Success arrives with the horse. Use this to wish someone swift achievement.
2. 龙马精神 pronounced lóng mǎ jīng shén (second-third-first tone)— The spirit of the dragon and horse. Wishing someone vitality and energy. 一马当先 (pronounced yī mǎ dāng xiān, first-third-first-first tone) One horse takes the lead. Encouraging someone to be a pioneer.
3. 万马奔腾 pronounced wàn mǎ bēn téng (fourth-third-first-second tone)— Ten thousand horses galloping. Symbolising prosperity and momentum. 快马加鞭 (pronounced kuài mǎ jiā biān, fourth-third-first-first tone)A fast horse spurred on. Encouraging someone to keep pushing forward.

Year of the Horse 2026 greetings

1. 马年大吉，万事如意！ — Great luck in the Year of the Horse, may everything go as you wish!
2. 祝您马年行大运，心想事成！ — Wishing you great fortune in the Horse year and all your dreams come true!
3. 愿马年带给您无尽的活力和成功！ — May the Year of the Horse bring you endless energy and success!
4. 马年新春，步步高升！ — Horse year spring festival, rising step by step!
5. 祝您马年如骏马奔腾，事业腾飞！ — Wishing you to gallop like a fine horse and soar in your career!

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General Chinese New Year quotes

1. 新年快乐，万事如意！ — Happy New Year, may all things go as you wish!
2. 恭喜发财，红包拿来！ — Wishing you prosperity, give me a red envelope! (playful phrase often said by children)
3. 岁岁平安，年年有余！ — Peace year after year, abundance year after year!
4. 心想事成，吉祥如意！ — May your wishes come true and good fortune follow!
5. 新春大吉，阖家幸福！ — Great luck in the new spring, happiness for the whole family!
6. 福星高照，前程似锦！ — May fortune shine upon you and your future be bright!
7. 吉祥如意，笑口常开！ — Auspiciousness and fulfilment, may you always smile!
8. 迎春接福，喜气洋洋！ — Welcoming spring and receiving blessings, full of joy!
9. 大展宏图，鹏程万里！ — May you achieve great ambitions and soar ten thousand miles!
10. 招财进宝，财源滚滚！ — Welcoming wealth and treasures, may fortune flow continuously!

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Quotes for health and well-being

1. 身体健康，万事顺心！ — Good health and may everything go smoothly!
2. 祝您马年健康平安，笑口常开！ — Wishing you health and peace in the Horse year, always smiling!
3. 愿新年带给您和家人健康与幸福！ — May the new year bring health and happiness to you and your family!
4. 身心康泰，福寿双全！ — Physical and mental wellness, blessings and longevity together!
5. 愿您的每一天都充满阳光和活力！ — May every day be filled with sunshine and vitality!
6. 健康是福，平安是金！ — Health is a blessing, peace is gold!
7. 愿马年为您带来强健体魄和愉快心情！ — May the Horse year bring you a strong body and joyful mood!
8. 新年新气象，健康伴您行！ — New year, new atmosphere, health accompanies you!
9. 祝您远离疾病，幸福长久！ — Wishing you to stay far from illness and enjoy lasting happiness!
10. 愿您在马年里精力充沛，活力四射！ — May you be full of energy and vitality in the Horse year!

Quotes for prosperity and success

1. 财源广进，生意兴隆！ — May wealth flow in and business flourish!
2. 祝您马年事业腾飞，财运亨通！ — Wishing your career to soar and fortune to flow in the Horse year!
3. 步步高升，锦上添花！ — Rising step by step, adding flowers to the brocade!
4. 金玉满堂，富贵吉祥！ — May your hall be filled with gold and jade, wealth and auspiciousness!
5. 一帆风顺，马到功成！ — Smooth sailing, success upon the horse’s arrival!
6. 愿新年的每一天都为您带来新机遇！ — May every day of the new year bring you new opportunities!
7. 祝您马年开门大吉，鸿运当头！ — Wishing you great luck as you open doors in the Horse year, fortune at your head!
8. 事业有成，功成名就！ — Career success and fame achieved!
9. 愿您的努力在马年结出丰硕果实！ — May your efforts bear rich fruit in the Horse year!
10. 新年新希望，财富滚滚来！ — New year, new hope, wealth rolling in!

Quotes for family and togetherness

1. 阖家团圆，幸福美满！ — Family reunion, happiness and fulfilment!
2. 祝您与家人马年欢聚，共享天伦！ — Wishing you and your family joyful gatherings in the Horse year!
3. 家和万事兴，新年更美好！ — Harmony at home makes all things prosper. The new year is even better!
4. 愿新年加深您与亲人的感情！ — May the new year strengthen your bonds with loved ones!
5. 祝您的家庭充满爱、笑声和温暖！ — Wishing your family full of love, laughter and warmth!
6. 团团圆圆，和和美美！ — United and harmonious, peaceful and beautiful!
7. 愿马年为您的家人带来更多美好回忆！ — May the Horse year bring your family more beautiful memories!
8. 新春佳节，阖家欢乐！ — Spring festival, happiness for the whole family!
9. 祝您与家人共度幸福马年！ — Wishing you and your family a happy Horse year together!
10. 家人是最珍贵的礼物，愿您珍惜每一刻！ — Family is the most precious gift, may you treasure every moment!

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Inspirational quotes for the new year

Consider your biggest dream for 2026. Reflect on what you hope to achieve as the new year begins. Let these aspirations guide you as you explore the motivational quotes that follow.

1. 新的一年，新的开始，新的希望！ — New year, new beginning, new hope!
2. 愿马年给您勇气追逐梦想！ — May the Horse year give you courage to chase your dreams!
3. 每一天都是新的起点，把握当下！ — Every day is a new starting point, seize the present!
4. 相信自己，您比想象中更强大！ — Believe in yourself, you are stronger than you think!
5. 愿您在马年里突破自我，超越极限！ — May you break through and exceed your limits in the Horse year!
6. 困难是暂时的，坚持就是胜利！ — Difficulties are temporary, persistence is victory!
7. 新年是重新开始的最佳时机！ — The new year is the best time for a fresh start!
8. 愿您的梦想在马年里一一实现！ — May your dreams come true one by one in the Horse year!
9. 向前看，向前走，未来属于您！ — Look forward, move forward, the future belongs to you!
10. 马年是行动的一年，愿您勇敢前行！ — The Horse year is a year of action, may you move forward bravely!

Quotes for friends and colleagues

1. 祝朋友马年顺心如意，友谊长存！ — Wishing friends a smooth Horse year and everlasting friendship!
2. 愿我们的友情在新年里更加深厚！ — May our friendship grow deeper in the new year!
3. 新年快乐，同事！愿我们共创辉煌！ — Happy New Year, colleagues! May we create brilliance together!
4. 感谢您的陪伴，祝您马年大吉！ — Thank you for your companionship, wishing you great luck in the Horse year!
5. 愿我们在马年里继续携手前进！ — May we continue to move forward hand in hand in the Horse year!
6. 祝您工作顺利，马年加薪升职！ — Wishing you smooth work, salary increase and promotion in the Horse year!
7. 朋友是路上的风景，愿您一路精彩！ — Friends are the scenery on the road, may your journey be wonderful!
8. 新年新气象，愿我们的团队更强大！ — New year, new atmosphere, may our team be even stronger!
9. 祝您与同事和睦相处，事业有成！ — Wishing you harmony with colleagues and career success!
10. 友谊万岁，马年更精彩！ — Long live friendship, the Horse year is even more exciting!

Romantic quotes for partners

1. 亲爱的，马年快乐！愿我们的爱情如骏马奔腾！ — Dear, happy Horse year! May our love gallop like a fine horse!
2. 新年新愿望：永远和您在一起！ — New year, new wish: to be with you forever!
3. 愿马年为我们带来更多甜蜜时光！ — May the Horse year bring us more sweet moments!
4. 每一天和您在一起，都是幸福的新年！ — Every day with you is a happy new year!
5. 祝我们的爱情在马年里更加坚固！ — Wishing our love to grow even stronger in the Horse year!
6. 您是我最美的新年礼物！ — You are my most beautiful new year gift!
7. 愿我们的爱像马一样自由奔放！ — May our love be as free and spirited as a horse!
8. 马年的每一天，我都想和您一起度过！ — Every day of the Horse year, I want to spend with you!
9. 新年快乐，我的爱人！感谢您的陪伴！ — Happy New Year, my love! Thank you for being by my side!
10. 愿我们在马年里创造更多美好回忆！ — May we create more beautiful memories in the Horse year!

Career and business quotes 

1. 祝您马年事业蒸蒸日上，前途无量！ — Wishing your career to flourish and your future to be limitless in the Horse year!
2. 愿马年的机遇助您事业腾飞！ — May the opportunities of the Horse year help your career soar!
3. 生意兴隆，财源滚滚！ — May business flourish and wealth roll in!
4. 祝您马年开门红，鸿运当头！ — Wishing you a great start in the Horse year with fortune at your head!
5. 愿您的公司在马年取得突破性成就！ — May your company achieve breakthrough success in the Horse year!
6. 事业有成，名利双收！ — Career success, fame and fortune together!
7. 祝您马年工作顺利，升职加薪！ — Wishing you smooth work, promotion and salary increase in the Horse year!
8. 愿马年为您带来更多商业机会！ — May the Horse year bring you more business opportunities!
9. 新年新目标，愿您实现所有职业梦想！ — New year, new goals, may you achieve all your career dreams!
10. 祝您马年像骏马一样在事业上领先！ — Wishing you to lead in your career like a fine horse in the Horse year!

Quotes for students and learners

1. 学业进步，马年金榜题名！ — Academic progress, may you top the list in the Horse year!
2. 愿马年为您带来学习的动力和智慧！ — May the Horse year bring you motivation and wisdom for learning!
3. 祝您考试顺利，成绩优异！ — Wishing you smooth exams and excellent results!
4. 新年新知识，愿您不断成长！ — New year, new knowledge, may you continue to grow!
5. 愿您在马年里发现学习的乐趣！ — May you discover the joy of learning in the Horse year!
6. 书山有路勤为径，学海无涯苦作舟！ — Diligence is the path to the mountain of books, hard work is the boat across the sea of learning!
7. 祝您马年学有所成，前途光明！ — Wishing you academic success and a bright future in the Horse year!
8. 愿知识的力量在马年为您打开新大门！ — May the power of knowledge open new doors for you in the Horse year!
9. 新年新起点，愿您勇攀知识高峰！ — New year, new starting point, may you bravely climb the peaks of knowledge!
10. 祝您马年里学习如骏马奔腾，一路向前！ — Wishing your studies to gallop like a horse, moving forward in the Horse year!

Traditional Chinese proverbs for the new year

1. 一年之计在于春。 — The plan for a year lies in spring. Start the year with good intentions.
2. 前人种树，后人乘凉。 — Previous generations plant trees, later generations enjoy the shade. Honour those who came before.
3. 千里之行，始于足下。 — A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
4. 有志者事竟成。 — Where there is a will, there is a way.
5. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 — When the old man lost his horse, who knew it was not a blessing? Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.
6. 滴水穿石。 — Dripping water penetrates stone. Persistence achieves results.
7. 百尺竿头，更进一步。 — After reaching the top of a hundred-foot pole, take one more step. Always strive for improvement.
8. 风雨同舟。 — In the same boat through wind and rain. Solidarity in difficult times.
9. 静以修身，俭以养德。 — Tranquillity cultivates the body, frugality nurtures virtue.
10. 天道酬勤。 — Heaven rewards diligence.

Blessings for elders and parents

1. 祝父母马年健康长寿，福如东海！ — Wishing parents health and longevity in the Horse year, blessings as vast as the eastern sea!
2. 愿您的父母在马年里平安喜乐！ — May your parents have peace and joy in the Horse year!
3. 感谢您的养育之恩，祝您马年安康！ — Thank you for raising me, wishing you health in the Horse year!
4. 祝爷爷奶奶马年吉祥如意，笑口常开！ — Wishing grandparents auspiciousness and constant smiles in the Horse year!
5. 愿长辈们马年身体康健，儿孙满堂！ — May elders enjoy good health and a house full of descendants in the Horse year!
6. 孝顺是最好的新年礼物！ — Filial piety is the best new year gift!
7. 祝您的父母马年里享受天伦之乐！ — Wishing your parents to enjoy family happiness in the Horse year!
8. 愿马年为您的长辈带来安宁和幸福！ — May the Horse year bring peace and happiness to your elders!
9. 感恩父母，祝他们马年快乐！ — Grateful for parents, wishing them a happy Horse year!
10. 祝长辈们福寿双全，马年大吉！ — Wishing elders both blessings and longevity, great luck in the Horse year!

Quotes for children

1. 祝小朋友马年快乐成长，天天开心！ — Wishing children happy growth and daily joy in the Horse year!
2. 愿马年为您的孩子带来健康和智慧！ — May the Horse year bring your children health and wisdom!
3. 祝小朋友学习进步，马年更聪明！ — Wishing children academic progress and greater cleverness in the Horse year!
4. 红包拿来，马年发财！ — Give me a red envelope, get rich in the Horse year! (playful children’s phrase)
5. 愿孩子们在马年里像小马驹一样活泼可爱！ — May children be as lively and adorable as young foals in the Horse year!
6. 祝宝贝马年健康快乐，茁壮成长！ — Wishing babies health and happiness, growing strong in the Horse year!
7. 新年新衣服，小朋友最开心！ — New year, new clothes, children are happiest!
8. 愿马年为小朋友带来无尽的欢笑！ — May the Horse year bring children endless laughter!
9. 祝小朋友马年心想事成，梦想成真！ — Wishing children all their wishes come true in the Horse year!
10. 马年快乐，愿您的童年充满美好回忆！ — Happy Horse year, may your childhood be full of beautiful memories!

Spiritual and reflective quotes

1. 新年是反思过去、展望未来的时刻。 — The new year is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.
2. 愿马年带给您内心的平静和力量！ — May the Horse year bring you inner peace and strength!
3. 心存感恩，幸福自来！ — With gratitude in the heart, happiness comes naturally!
4. 新年新心态，愿您活在当下！ — New year, new mindset, may you live in the present!
5. 愿马年的智慧引领您走向光明！ — May the wisdom of the Horse year guide you toward the light!
6. 放下过去，拥抱新的一年！ — Let go of the past, embrace the new year!
7. 愿您在马年里找到生活的真谛！ — May you find the true meaning of life in the Horse year!
8. 内心富足比物质丰富更重要！ — Inner richness is more important than material wealth!
9. 新年是重新开始的机会，愿您把握！ — The new year is a chance to start fresh, may you seize it!
10. 愿马年为您的心灵带来宁静和喜悦！ — May the Horse year bring tranquillity and joy to your soul!

Short and sweet greetings

1. 马年大吉！ — Great luck in the Horse year!
2. 新春快乐！ — Happy Spring Festival!
3. 恭喜发财！ — Wishing you prosperity!
4. 万事如意！ — May all things go as you wish!
5. 身体健康！ — Good health!
6. 心想事成！ — May your wishes come true!
7. 马到成功！ — Success upon the horse’s arrival!
8. 阖家幸福！ — Happiness for the whole family!
9. 财源广进！ — May wealth flow in!
10. 平安喜乐！ — Peace and joy!

How to use these Chinese New Year quotes

Greeting cards and red envelopes

Write a meaningful quote inside your greeting cards or on the outside of red envelopes. Traditional phrases like 恭喜发财 or 马到成功 add authenticity and warmth.

Social media posts: Pair quotes with festive images of lanterns, horses, red decorations or family gatherings. Popular hashtags include #ChineseNewYear2026, #YearOfTheHorse, #LunarNewYear and #CNY2026.

Family toasts and speeches

At reunion dinners, open with a traditional blessing like 祝大家马年大吉，身体健康，万事如意！ (Wishing everyone great luck in the Horse year, good health, and all things go as you wish!)

Text messages and WeChatSend quick greetings to friends and family with animated stickers featuring Horse imagery alongside classic phrases.

Home decorations

Display quotes on red banners (春联) at your doorway or as wall hangings. Gold characters on red paper are traditional and auspicious.

FAQs about Chinese New Year quotes

What is the most popular Chinese New Year greeting?

What are good Horse year greetings for 2026?

Popular Horse-themed greetings include 马到成功 (success upon the horse’s arrival), 龙马精神 (spirit of the dragon and horse), and 马年大吉 (great luck in the Horse year).

How do you write Chinese New Year wishes in Mandarin?

Common wishes include 万事如意 (may all things go as you wish), 身体健康 (good health), and 心想事成 (may your dreams come true).

What should I write in a Chinese New Year card?

Combine a general greeting like 新年快乐 with a specific blessing for the Horse year such as 祝您马年行大运，心想事成！ (Wishing you great fortune in the Horse year and all your dreams come true!)

Conclusion 

Chinese New Year quotes are a meaningful way to share blessings, inspire positivity and honor cultural traditions during the Lunar New Year. For the Year of the Horse 2026, incorporate Horse-themed sayings like 马到成功 and 龙马精神 to make your greetings timely and memorable.

Whether you share these quotes in greeting cards, social media posts, family toasts or text messages, they carry the spirit of hope, prosperity and togetherness that defines this important celebration. To make it more personal, choose one quote now and share it with someone you love. This simple action can spread joy and strengthen the bonds with those around you.

Wishing you great luck in the Year of the Horse!

More Chinese New Year resources

• Chinese New Year wishes
• Gong Xi Fa Cai meaning
  
• Chinese Lantern Festival wishes
• Lo Hei sayings
• Year of the Horse 2026 traits
• Lunar New year dates 2026