New horse mascots gallop into 2026

China Media Group has revealed the much-anticipated mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, drawing from China's rich history of equestrian culture.

The Spring Festival Gala, an annual celebration produced and broadcast by China Media Group, with its inaugural broadcast in 1983, is one of the most-watched TV shows aired on Chinese New Year's Eve.

The four vibrant and lively mascots — Qi Qi, Ji Ji, Chi Chi, and Cheng Cheng — embody the gala's theme "Qi Ji Chi Cheng, Momentum Unstoppable", aligning with the festive spirit of renewal and progress as the Year of the Horse approaches.

The mascots' designs are rooted in China's classical depictions of horses across different dynasties, seamlessly blending traditional aesthetics with modern vigor. With symbolic connotations of success and prosperity, the mascots embody the spirit of a bright future and the timeless notion of "achieving success" as they gallop toward new horizons.

The first mascot, Qi Qi, takes its design from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC) relic, a horse-shaped bronze zun (wine vessel). Its sleek, dignified form and elegant color palette of dark blue-black reflect the horse's role as a symbol of nobility and grace in ancient China. It exudes an air of sophistication, ambition, and youthful energy, embodying the ideal of pursuing greatness with determination.

The second mascot, Ji Ji, draws inspiration from a famous bronze horse statue from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The wings spread wide in graceful flight and symbolize vitality and an unwavering spirit of progress, ready to soar toward new challenges.

Chi Chi represents the prestigious "three-color" glaze horse from the Tang Dynasty (618–907), known for its unique three-pronged mane. With a bold, confident stance and a tail poised to gallop, Chi Chi encapsulates the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty while embodying the spirit of self-assurance and strength.