Chinese New Year commences this Tuesday (17th February), and individuals have been cautioned against wearing a particular colour to mark the occasion. The 15-day celebration, also referred to as the Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is observed across numerous Asian cultures, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, and it signifies the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

Numerous cities throughout the UK will be staging events to mark the Chinese New Year over the coming fortnight, but one woman on social media has encouraged people to follow some crucial guidance ahead of the festival. Rachel, who hails from Canada and Hong Kong, stated people should steer clear of wearing one particular colour for the remainder of 2026 once the Chinese New Year commences, as it could represent misfortune.

In a TikTok video, Rachel clarified that not only is 2026 the year of the horse, but it’s specifically the year of the fire horse. This indicates that fire, and consequently, the colour red, is already “at its peak” this year – and donning red could push the balance too far in one direction.

Red is conventionally regarded as a fortunate colour in Chinese culture, and numerous Chinese New Year decorations are typically vibrant shades of red because it’s thought it can ward off malevolent spirits. However, 2026 represents an unusual year where red isn’t considered fortunate.

Numerous elements of Chinese culture also emphasise equilibrium, so if you introduce additional fiery shades to a year already characterised by the fire horse, you risk going overboard and could potentially turn your year into a catastrophe.

Rachel explained: “I know everyone’s telling you that red is THE lucky colour, especially in Asian cultures, but you need to know that 2026 is the year of the fire horse. Fire is already at its peak, so if you wear red, it’s almost like you’re adding gasoline to the fire. It could lead to burnout, bad tempers, and arguments.”

To “stay lucky” during this unpredictable year, Rachel suggests wearing shades that counterbalance the fire element instead. This means embracing earthy hues such as dark greens or browns.

She continued: “To stay lucky this year, you will need to balance out the heat. For example, this year it’s actually recommended to wear earth or wood colours. Think earth tones like beige, cream, or brown, to ground the energy. Or you can do wood tones like sage or forest green to keep the fire stable.”

For optimal fortune in 2026, Rachel revealed there are particular shades you can don depending on your zodiac sign. However, for those simply wanting to prevent a Chinese New Year calamity, steering clear of red is sufficient.

You should also avoid wearing black or white attire to any festival events you plan on attending. These are viewed as colours of mourning, and since Chinese New Year is a time of celebration, these two hues should be avoided.

Viewers of Rachel’s video were perplexed about the festival and what they should and shouldn’t do to respect it. However, many suggested that it’s more crucial to steer clear of black or white clothing than to avoid red, so if your only option is something red for your local festivities, then that will suffice.

One individual commented: “If you wanna wear red, then wear it, who cares. Follow traditions. If people say its unlucky, then it is. I trust her because my local temple also says the same thing. To avoid wearing red.”

Another chimed in: “Just don’t wear black or white, folks. You’ll be fine. If you’re worried, just wear something red. Like a scarf, a woven bracelet, or shoes.”

There are also various other things you should avoid during Chinese New Year, including eating porridge for breakfast or doing a load of laundry. And on the first day of celebrations on Tuesday (17th February), you should refrain from washing your hair – so ensure you’ve showered tonight!

The China Highlights website clarified: “Hair must not be washed on Chinese New Year’s Day, as it is seen as not a good thing to ‘wash one’s fortune away’ at the beginning of the New Year. Avoid cutting hair on this day, as it is believed that it might bring misfortune to uncles.”