WKU News
Galloping into Success: The WKU Chinese Flagship Program Welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse
- Written by: I-Tsai Pan; Edited by: Brielle Freeman
- Friday, February 6th, 2026
As the winter chill begins to fade, the WKU Chinese Flagship Program is preparing for the most vibrant event on the lunar calendar. On February 17th, we officially welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.
The Spirit of the Horse
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 belongs to the Horse—a sign specifically shared by those born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014. Those born under this sign are celebrated for being energetic, intelligent, and free-spirited.
In the spirit of the Horse, our Flagship scholars are defined by a relentless drive. By pairing Chinese language mastery with their diverse academic majors, they are uniquely equipped to lead on the global stage.
Traditions of Prosperity and Togetherness
● The Lunar New Year is a season of deep symbolism, focused on sweeping away the old to make room for good fortune.
● The Reunion Dinner: This is the most essential meal of the holiday, bringing families together to share dishes that inspire happiness and longevity.
● Symbolic Flavors: Every bite has a purpose. Dumplings are shaped like ancient gold ingots to represent wealth, while glutinous rice cakes symbolize growth and "rising" success year after year.
● The Power of Red: From decorations to clothing, red is everywhere to scare away evil spirits and welcome prosperity.
● Lucky Envelopes: Elders pass down red envelopes filled with money to the younger generation. These envelopes often feature lucky numbers like 6 or 8, while carefully avoiding the number 4, which is considered unlucky.
A Global Celebration
This holiday marks the largest annual human migration in the world, as hundreds of millions of people travel to reunite with their loved ones. Whether through a shared meal or a lion dance performance, the spirit of the New Year is about community and looking forward to a bright future.
We invite you to join the Chinese Flagship Program in embracing the fiery energy of 2026.
恭喜發財！Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Wishing you prosperity in the coming year!)
For more updates during the Lunar New Year, follow Modern Languages and Chinese Flagship on social media! ????
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