The China Media Group (CMG) on Thursday unveiled four vibrant mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, heralding the upcoming Year of the Horse with wishes of vitality and ambition.

The Chinese lunar year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse and will begin on February 17, 2026.

Horse is one of the most dynamic and spirited in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, representing strength, perseverance, and unstoppable momentum.

The four horses were named from the Chinese saying -- "Qi Ji Chi Cheng"-- meaning "Galloping steed, Onward unstoppable", which is also the theme of the upcoming gala.

Inspired by classic representations of horses across different periods of Chinese history, the mascots are adorned with classic elements of traditional Chinese clouds and thunder.

The design is a reflection of the spirit of renewal and progress in the new year.

Qiqi, a dark-colored horse, features a vigorous posture, fully embodying the forward-looking and ambitious spirit.

Jiji, a horse spreading wings to soar through the clouds in pursuit of the sun, represents a spirit of striving and upward momentum.

Chichi has a tied-up tail, fully displaying a demeanor of confidence and composure.

The image of Chengcheng was inspired by Przewalski's horse. As the only surviving wild horse species on Earth, it is known as a "living genetic fossil" with a 60-million-year evolutionary history.

Being robust and agile, Chengcheng showcases the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

The Spring Festival Gala hosted by CMG has been an essential part of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations since 1983. The gala includes songs, dances, comic sketches, operas, and folk arts.

The annual spectacle, known as the most-watched television program in the world, is broadcast on the eve of the Chinese New Year, when families come together to ring in the new lunar year.

This year's Spring Festival Eve falls on Feb 16, 2026.