The luckiest and most challenged signs in the Year of the Horse 2026—and how to maximize your luck
With the arrival of the Lunar New Year on Feb. 17, you might be wondering how things are looking for your sign in the Chinese zodiac.
Feng shui coach Johnson Chua told PhilSTAR L!fe that five signs are forecast to experience the most luck in the Year of the Horse—and interestingly, the Horse is not among the top five as their energies are expected to be mixed in their zodiac year. The lucky signs this coming CNY include Rabbit, Sheep, Ox, Dragon, and Dog. Since they are good friends and allies with the Horse, they can expect great support and success in 2026.
The animal signs that may face the most challenges, according to Chua, are the Horse—since many eyes could be on them and watch their every move, even their mistakes—as well as their "enemies": Rat and Pig.
Chua, however, noted that there are things that can be done to maximize your luck throughout the year, whether you're among the lucky signs or among the most challenged. Here are some of them.
Awareness
First things first: It's important to be aware of what the stars have in store for you. "If you want to make a change, the first step is to be aware," Chua said in an interview with L!fe.
"If you're aware that this year is not your best year, that there may be a lot of challenges and competition, the more you become careful, right?" he explained. "Minsan, pagka hindi tayo aware na mahina tayo for the year, mamaya, sugod lang tayo ng sugod. We take a lot of risks."
Lucky colors
You can also make use of lucky colors to boost your luck in 2026.
"The lucky color for everyone in general is blue because we need water energy to enhance positivity," Chua said, adding that this is because there may be an abundance of fire in the Year of the Fire Horse. "Any shade of blue would be good. For those people who are trying to find more opportunities, they can use light blue. For those who are looking for stability, they can use dark blue."
Chua added that silver, gold, white, and gray are also considered lucky in the coming year as they are metal hues in feng shui, which represent joy and clarity.
The feng shui coach specified the lucky color for each sign in his general forecast, which you can find here.
Feng shui
Chua advised learning how to use feng shui to direct the flow of your energy.
"This is where lucky directions come in. Kailangan alam mo 'yung mga north, south, east, west, sa bahay mo, workplace mo, kasi pwede kang humugot ng energy sa bawat sector," he said. (Chua detailed here how you can find your lucky directions using a compass.)
"Mayroon kasi tayong mga lucky directions; may mga not-so-good directions. Kung sila, malakas na 'yung energy nila, tapos binoost 'yun, lalo pa silang lalakas, lalo pa silang magmamagnify," he explained.
For the top five lucky signs, Chua pointed out that their strengths this year have something to do with their network and connections. "They can easily grab resources from helpful people. So, for example, in activating a certain direction, the best are the East and Southeast. So, if the East and Southeast nila is number one, kailangan lagi maliwanag, maaliwalas, tapos they can face that direction."
Lucky charms
Feng shui charms can also help boost your energy.
"Example, for those who were born in the Year of the Rat, alam natin na medyo may conflict tayo with the Horse this year. So, at least we can use feng shui charms to protect us. We can also use a power bracelet that we can customize according to our birthday para maboost 'yung power, protection, money luck, health, and also success."
Other lucky charms include Horse images that can likewise bring success and prosperity, according to Chua.
Healthy lifestyle
Chua stressed the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, especially if your sign is forecast to be one of the most challenged this Chinese New Year.
He likened one's energy to a phone battery. "Kung 50% 'yung phone mo, you try to maximize that battery, right? Huwag mo sobrang sagarin kasi mamamatay 'yung phone," he explained. "Learn how to charge, recharge, and be healthy. Sometimes, what makes us down is because down 'yung emotions, which can also affect our health."
Support system
Chua also advised "learning how to use other people's chargers."
"That means kapag this year is medyo marami kang mga problems, 'wag mo solohin lahat. Maybe try to find the right people who can help you, assist you, and mentor you," he said.
Balance, balance, balance
"Hindi po ibig sabihin na 'pag nasa taas na po tayo ng lucky signs, super kampante na tayo, okay? Learn from the force of energy," he told L!fe.
The Year of the Horse will be all about passion and determination, so everything needs to be balanced. Per Chua, this can be done by keeping your main goal in mind.
"You need to know what your main goal is. Kasi mamaya, maramdaman nung mga nasa top five na lucky signs that there's a lot of good opportunity, but the problem is, sugod lang sila ng sugod, kuha lang sila ng kuha ng opportunities hanggang lost na sila, malayo na pala sila sa main goal nila," said Chua. "Baka matapos 'yung taon na, yes, you're productive, but you're very stressed. Kaya kailangan pa rin talaga ang balance."
