38 Lunar New Year 2026: Using Red Envelopes, 8-Course Banquets and the Year of the Fire Horse to Teach Us About Money

Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, intention and fresh starts, and in 2026 we step into the Year of the Fire Horse – a year symbolising courage, independence and forward momentum. In this episode, we explore what Lunar New Year traditions can teach us about money, and how to use this energy to get your financial independence moving in practical, grounded ways.

We open with a pop-culture moment that captures the Fire Horse spirit: Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire and her iconic performance at the 2012 Music Video Awards alongside Olympic gold medallist Gabby Douglas – a strong reminder of what it looks like when women step into strength, momentum and self-belief. Here's how it went.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0PvD9FoKfQ

From there, we unpack how money shows up in Lunar New Year traditions, including red envelopes, prosperity rituals, clearing the old to welcome the new, and the symbolism behind the Lunar New Year banquet – from fish and dumplings to longevity noodles and orange citrus fruits. We translate these traditions into practical money lessons for real life and outline simple, doable actions you can take this year to build momentum toward financial independence, backed by Fire Horse courage.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Lunar New Year represents and why it’s a powerful time for fresh financial starts
• The meaning of the Year of the Fire Horse and how to use its energy for money momentum
• How money traditionally shows up during Lunar New Year (red envelopes, prosperity rituals, renewal)
• The prosperity banquet and what each dish symbolises about abundance, growth and sustainability
• Practical, action-focused steps to move your finances forward this year
• Courage in action: facing your numbers, asking for help, and taking your first step

We hope you like this episode.