On February 17, Google surprised users by unveiling an interactive doodle to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is linked to the New Moon that marks the beginning of the Chinese calendar. The year 2026 celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse, and the start of this new cycle also coincides with an annular solar eclipse, often referred to as a 'ring of fire' eclipse. This rare solar event will be visible in Antarctica and partially visible in southern South America and Africa, making it a significant occasion for many worldwide.

The date of the Chinese New Year shifts every year due to its reliance on the lunisolar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. This means the start of the celebrations varies annually. The transition into the new year is marked not only by festivities but also by traditional practices meant to cleanse the environment, such as a thorough cleaning of homes to ward off negative energies, letting go of stagnation, and discarding old objects that no longer serve a purpose.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year involves various customs and traditions that reflect the significance of the occasion. In the lead-up to the New Year, families often prepare by cleaning their homes and decorating them to attract good fortune. The festivities include family gatherings, feasts featuring traditional foods, and various cultural performances, making it a vibrant time for communities to come together and celebrate renewal and hope for the year ahead, all underpinned by the mystique of the lunar cycle and celestial events like solar eclipses.