[Video] Sad horse, wild horse: China’s viral zodiac stars of 2026

11 Feb 2026

culture

By Lu Lingming

Video Journalist, ThinkChina

As the Year of the Horse approaches, two horse-themed toys, one born of a factory error and the other inspired by museum art, have become unlikely favourites ahead of the Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and 2026 will be the Year of the Horse. But the zodiac toys trending online right now are not the usual “lucky” mascots. Instead, two very different horse figures, each with a highly relatable personality, have captured public attention.

From the frowning “Crying Horse” to the fluffy, playful Ma Biaobiao, China’s toys are going delightfully viral and oddly relatable!