Inspirational Chinese New Year Quotes for 2026 Year of Horse
Looking for exclusive inspirational Chinese new year quotes for the 2026 Chinese New Year? As China’s most important traditional festival, the Lunar New Year symbolizes bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, as well as embracing blessings and good fortune.
Wukong compiles a variety of inspirational Chinese New Year quotes, including timeless traditional auspicious phrases, modern motivational wishes and exclusive messages for the Year of the Horse, and also shares tips on how to use these greetings. There are also pinyin and Chinese-English meaning.
Why Inspirational Chinese New Year Quotes Matter
The Spring Festival is Most Important Traditional Festival
The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is China’s most important traditional festival. Its core themes are family reunion, gratitude for the past, and wishes for a smooth and prosperous new year.
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Get started free!Inspirational Quotes Play a Special Role in Chinese New Year
Inspirational Chinese new year quotes are not just simple words: they are also a carrier for passing down traditional Chinese culture, a wonderful way to convey sincere blessings to relatives and friends, and an important ritual marking the fresh start of a new year! Therefore, saying New Year greetings is an indispensable practice for Chinese people.
An Important Opportunity to Understand Chinese Culture
For English speakers who want to learn about Chinese culture, these greetings is an easy gateway to engaging with Chinese traditional culture and experiencing the charm of China’s Spring Festival.
2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. For the Year of the Horse, motivate Chinese new year quotes is especially important. In Chinese culture, the horse represents energy, independence, confidence, and forward movement—perfect inspiration for starting 2026 strong.
Top Inspirational Chinese New Year Quotes List
1. Traditional Wisdom Quotes
These classic sayings reflect long-standing Chinese values and are commonly shared during Lunar New Year.
| Chinese | Standard Pinyin | English Translation | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 万事如意 | Wàn shì rú yì | May all your wishes come true | One of the most classic Chinese New Year blessings, expressing the hope that all wishes, plans, and everyday hopes will be fulfilled in the coming year. |
| 新年快乐 | Xīn nián kuài lè | Happy New Year | The most basic Lunar New Year greeting, suitable for all formal and informal celebrations and often paired with other blessings. |
| 财源滚滚 | Cái yuán gǔn gǔn | May wealth flow in abundance | A popular New Year wish for prosperity, symbolizing continuous financial success as well as abundance in life overall. |
| 阖家幸福 | Hé jiā xìng fú | Wishing your whole family happiness | Reflects the core Chinese New Year value of family reunion, expressing sincere wishes for harmony and happiness for the entire family. |
| 平安就是福 | Píng ān jiù shì fú | Peace is the greatest blessing | A warm and meaningful saying highlighting the Chinese cultural belief that peace, safety, and well-being matter more than wealth. |
| 福如东海 | Fú rú dōng hǎi | May your blessings be as boundless as the East China Sea | A respectful blessing often used for elders, symbolizing endless fortune, longevity, and lasting well-being. |
2. Modern Motivational Wishes
These quotes are popular in messages, social posts, and everyday greetings—simple, uplifting, and easy to learn.
| Chinese | Standard Pinyin | English Translation | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 新年新气象 | Xīn nián xīn qì xiàng | A new year brings a new outlook | An inspirational New Year wish, symbolizing a fresh mindset and vision for the year ahead. Perfect for those seeking growth, opportunities, and positive change. |
| 直面前方 | Zhí mián qián fāng | Face the future head-on | A bold and motivational message encouraging courage and determination, fitting the New Year theme of leaving the old behind and moving forward. |
| 一路顺风 | Yì lù shùn fēng | May your journey be smooth sailing | A modern expression of traditional blessings, wishing for smooth progress in life, work, and personal endeavors. Emphasizes ease and advancement on the path ahead. |
| 天天快乐 | Tiān tiān kuài lè | Happy every day | A warm and simple blessing wishing continuous happiness throughout the year. Commonly used in Lunar New Year greetings, emphasizing daily joy and positivity in life. |
| 努力就有回报 | Nǔ lì jiù yǒu huí bào | Hard work brings rewards | A positive and motivational message, aligning with the Horse year symbolism of diligence and progress. Ideal for students, professionals, or anyone pursuing their dreams. |
Horse Year Exclusive Chinese New Year Quotes
1. Year of the Horse–Themed Quotes (2026)
Horse-themed quotes align perfectly with the zodiac symbolism of speed, freedom, and drive.
| Chinese | Standard Pinyin | English Translation | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 马到成功 | Mǎ dào chéng gōng | Wishing you success right away | A classic New Year blessing, symbolizing things going smoothly and achieving goals quickly. Perfect for friends and colleagues. |
| 一马当先 | Yí mǎ dāng xiān | Be the first to shine | Encourages confidence and taking initiative. Ideal for anyone starting new projects or adventures. |
| 策马前行 | Cè mǎ qián xíng | Keep moving forward | A simple, motivating phrase reminding us to stay determined and embrace challenges. |
| 骏马奔腾，未来可期 | Jùn mǎ bēn téng, wèi lái kě qī | Galloping horses, a bright future ahead | A cheerful and inspiring image for the Year of the Horse, wishing energy, joy, and success throughout the year. |
2、Common Versatile Horse-year Blessing Sentences
Here are some blessing phrases. They work for most occasions. And you can use them directly to send your wishes.
| Chinese | Standard Pinyin | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 新春快乐，龙马精神，岁岁平安 | Xīn chūn kuài lè, lóng mǎ jīng shén, suì suì píng ān | Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you the vigor of the dragon and horse, and peace year after year. |
| 丙午马年，新春纳福，万事顺意 | Bǐng wǔ mǎ nián, xīn chūn nà fú, wàn shì shùn yì | In the Year of the Horse, may the New Year bring blessings and may everything go smoothly. |
| 马年吉祥，四季顺遂，喜乐常伴 | Mǎ nián jí xiáng, sì jì shùn suì, xǐ lè cháng bàn | Auspicious Year of the Horse! May all four seasons bring smooth progress and constant joy. |
| 丙午新春，愿日子温柔，三餐四季，阖家幸福安康 | Bǐng wǔ xīn chūn, yuàn rì zi wēn róu, sān cān sì jì, hé jiā xìng fú ān kāng | In this Year of the Horse, may your days be gentle, meals plentiful, and your whole family safe and happy. |
| 马年新岁，愿家人平安喜乐，诸事顺遂，岁岁无忧 | Mǎ nián xīn suì, yuàn jiā rén píng ān xǐ lè, zhū shì shùn suì, suì suì wú yōu | In the new Horse-year, may your family be safe and happy, all matters go smoothly, and every year worry-free. |
| 新年好！马年行大运，龙马精神事事兴 | Xīn nián hǎo! Mǎ nián xíng dà yùn, lóng mǎ jīng shén shì shì xīng | Happy New Year! May the Year of the Horse bring great fortune, dragon-horse spirit, and success in everything. |
| 新春纳福，马年吉祥，恭喜发财，红包拿来 | Xīn chūn nà fú, mǎ nián jí xiáng, gōng xǐ fā cái, hóng bāo ná lái | Welcome blessings this New Year! Auspicious Horse-year wishes, may you get rich, and bring the red envelopes! |
| 新年新气象，马年事事旺，阖家皆安康 | Xīn nián xīn qì xiàng, mǎ nián shì shì wàng, hé jiā jiē ān kāng | New year, new outlook! May everything flourish in the Horse-year, and may your whole family be safe and healthy. |
Ancient Poems for Chinese Year New Year Quotes
The most famous classical Chinese poem for Chinese New Year is “Yuán Rì” (New Year’s Day). Its anthor is Wang Anshi, a poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. It perfectly captures the joy of the Spring Festival and the feeling of a fresh start. And this poem has been passed down for centuries and is loved by people across China.
Original Text ：
元日(Yuanri) (Song Dynasty・Wang Anshi)
爆竹声中一岁除（Bào zhú shēng zhōng yī suì chú)，
春风送暖入屠苏（chūn fēng sòng nuǎn rù tú sū)。
千门万户曈曈日（Qiān mén wàn hù tóng tóng rì)，
总把新桃换旧符（zǒng bǎ xīn táo huàn jiù fú)。
English Meaning: Amidst the crackle of firecrackers, the old year fades away. The warm spring breeze brings joy as we drink the Tususu wine today. The rising sun shines bright on every household with a glowing ray. All replace the old peach charms with new ones to welcome the new day.
In this poem, Wang Anshi highlights key Chinese New Year traditions, including firecrackers, Tusu wine, and peach-wood charms. These vivid images show the lively celebrations of New Year’s Day. At the same time, the poem reflects the spirit of renewal and reform in society. With its bright language and energetic rhythm, it is considered a masterpiece of Chinese New Year poetry.
How to Use Inspirational Chinese New Year Quotes
These inspirational Chinese New Year greetings work in a wealth of scenarios. And they are suitable for all kinds of celebrations during the 2026 Lunar New Year.
Inspirational Chinese New Year Quotes Application Scenarios
Handwritten holiday greeting cards: Pick a short auspicious wish and pair it with a simple English blessing. And you can also write down the Pinyin and Chinese characters to show more thoughtfulness.
Text messages / social media posts: Send concise and lively wishes to friends and colleagues with modern inspirational greetings. When posting New Year photos on social platforms like Instagram, you can use these greetings as captions.
Oral holiday greetings: When attending offline events such as Chinese New Year parties and family gatherings, say a short, easy-to-pronounce blessing.
Gift tag messages: Write exclusive Year of the Horse wishes on the tags of New Year gifts such as red envelopes and small presents, making the gifts more heartfelt for the holiday.
Conclusion
The 2026 Lunar New Year is a moment to bid farewell to the past, welcome the new, connect with affection, and harbor aspirations. Let these inspirational chinese new year quotes accompany you as you convey joy during the New Year celebrations. And use them to deliver the most heartfelt wishes to every friend, colleague, and loved one. And there is more about Chinese traditional culture and Chinese language learning on Wukong Chinese.
Use these quotes to spread joy and motivation this Lunar New Year. 🧧🐎
FAQs
What is a special saying on Chinese New Year?
Common sayings include “Wàn shì rú yì” (May all your wishes come true), and “Mǎ dào chéng gōng” (Instant success). These phrases express blessings, good luck, and happiness for the new year.
What is a positive quote for the New Year?
Positive quotes often focus on growth, luck, and joy. Examples are “Méi yī tiān dōu yǒu xīn xǐ” (May every day bring a new joy). They inspire hope and motivation for the coming year.
What are motivational quotes in Chinese?
Motivational quotes include sayings like “Zhí mián qián fāng” (Face the future head-on). They encourage courage, perseverance, and progress in life.
What do Chinese people say to each other on Chinese New Year?
People exchange blessings and greetings such as “Cái yuán gǔn gǔn” (May wealth flow in abundance). They may also give red envelopes, decorate homes, and share traditional foods while wishing each other happiness and success.
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Lea is a passionate educator and writer,hailing from Beijing Jiaotong University where she graduated with a degree in English.With a deep understanding of education and a knack for making learning engaging,she brings a unique blend of knowledge and creativity to her writing. Whether crafting educational content or sharing tips on making math fun, Lea’s goal is to inspire and empower both parents and children on their learning journey.
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