Lunar New Year is only hours away. As we say goodbye to the reflective Year of the Snake, we step boldly into the Year of the Fire Horse, and trust us, the energy shift is real.
The Snake was your quiet rebrand era. Transformation. Healing. Shedding. Very “training montage before the final boss.”
The Horse? Completely different build.
The Horse is momentum. Ambition. Movement. It’s not side-quest energy, it’s speedrun to the main objective. Think comeback tour dominance, championship mindset, protagonist arc unlocked.
So before we fully log into this new zodiac cycle, here’s how to do one final shed, and enter the Year of the Fire Horse buffed, focused and ready to win.
Declutter & Clean: Clear the Map Before You Start a New Campaign
One of the most important Lunar New Year traditions is cleaning your home before the new year begins.
It symbolises sweeping away bad luck and stagnant energy to make space for prosperity.
Wash your sheets.
Dust that bookshelf.
Throw out expired food.
Donate what you don’t use.
Think of it as clearing your inventory before starting a new season pass. You wouldn’t enter a new RPG campaign carrying broken gear, so why bring old energy into a new zodiac year?
Important superstition: Avoid sweeping or cleaning on Lunar New Year’s Day itself. My Yipor taught us you could accidentally “sweep away” your good luck for the year ahead.
Finish the reset before midnight. Then log off.
Let Go: Close the Side Quests That Don’t Serve the Main Story
The Snake is about shedding. Before the Horse gallops forward, ask yourself:
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Is there a grudge still living rent-free in your head?
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A relationship that feels like a never-ending filler arc?
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A situation you replay like a cutscene you can’t skip?
Write a short letter (you don’t have to send it) acknowledging what you’re ready to release. Then physically tear it up, shred it, or safely burn it.
This tangible act signals to your brain: quest complete.
Every great character has a turning point. This is yours.
Consider it your official “new era unlocked” moment.
Prepare a Prosperity Feast: Eat Like You’re Manifesting Legendary Loot
Food plays a powerful role in Lunar New Year traditions, and many dishes symbolise wealth and good fortune.
Some families avoid using knives or scissors during the festival, as “cutting” can symbolically cut your luck. To stay safe, prep your feast ahead of time.
Here’s what to serve (and what it means):
Whole Fish – The word for fish sounds like the word for abundance in Chinese. It symbolises surplus and prosperity.
Dumplings – Shaped like ancient gold ingots. The more you eat, the more wealth you invite. Basically edible loot drops.
Spring Rolls – Golden and crisp, representing gold bars and financial success.
Long Noodles – Uncut noodles symbolise longevity. No rage-quitting mid-slurp.
Oranges & Tangerines – Their names sound like the words for luck and success. Think passive income, but citrus.
It’s not just superstition, it’s intention-setting through ritual. And honestly? Manifesting abundance through carbs feels correct.
Set Intentions: Choose Your Build for the Year of the Horse
The Fire Horse is bold, independent, and fast-moving. This is not a year for NPC behaviour.
Take a moment to write down:
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Your goals
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Your ambitions
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The risks you’re ready to take
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The version of yourself you’re stepping into
If the Snake was your character customisation screen, the Horse is gameplay.
This is championship energy. Tournament arc. Top-of-the-leaderboard mindset.
Ask yourself: what does my main character era look like?
Decorate With Red: Activate the Buff
Red symbolises joy, protection, and prosperity during Lunar New Year.
Hang:
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Red lanterns
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Paper cuttings
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Red couplets (chūnlián)
These decorations aren’t just aesthetic, they symbolically invite good fortune and ward off misfortune.
Think of it as applying a protection charm before entering a new level.
And of course, our very own TA celebrated with hand-drawn Year of the Horse artwork, because creative expression is always a power-up.
The Snake Was the Training Arc. The Horse Is the Victory Lap.
Where the Snake asked you to reflect, the Horse asks you to move.
Release.
Reset.
Feast.
Intend.
Decorate.
Then step forward, boldly.
The Year of the Fire Horse isn’t waiting around.
And neither should you.
