The Year of the Horse gallops into view, and the symbolism couldn't be more fitting. The horse represents a free spirit, channeling raw power into graceful, unstoppable motion.

Expressing this essence, China Media Group (CMG) unveiled on Thursday, December 18, the official mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala – a set of four majestic horses – along with a range of collector's items.

Charging ahead under the theme "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable," the mascots, named Qiqi, Jiji, Chichi and Chengcheng, embody the nation's journey towards a new Chinese miracle.

Three of the mascot designs draw inspiration from iconic horse figures appearing in art across Chinese history, specifically from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), and the Han (202 BC-220 AD) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. The fourth is modeled on Przewalski's horse, the world's only surviving species of truly wild horse. Together, they blend Chinese cultural heritage with a dynamic spirit of innovation.