Over 1.36 billion people in China and millions around the world will celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year on January 31, 2014. It’s the most important of Chinese holidays, kicking off a celebration that lasts for 15 days and culminates with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2014, it’ll be the Year of the Horse.

The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos– making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able.