...China - 20 Yuan ⾺/⻢年 Commemorative Year of the Horse 2026

 

  中华人民共和国

(中華人民共和國)

(Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó)

(People's Republic of China)

中国人民银行 (中國人民銀行)

(Zhōngguó Rénmín Yínháng / People's Bank of China)

Currency : Renminbi 人民币 (CNY)

 

⾺/⻢🐎年

17 February 2026 to 05 February 2027 (353 days)

 

新年快樂

Happy New Year

 

This is the third note of the Chinese New Year zodiac 12 cycle series, first introduced in 2025 with the Year of Dragon. For the year of 2026, it's the Year of the Horse.

 

Traditionally, the celebration for Chinese New Year is for 15 days. In China, the official holidays are for 8 days starting from 15.02.2026. I am not sure if there are any other countries that have such long continuous public holidays for one single celebration? In China, the New Year is also referred to as the 'Golden Week' holidays.

 

The designs and themes of this note are similar to the last two notes issued, featuring a Zodiac animal on the front and children activities on the back celebrating the new year. It is believed a hundred million pieces were issued to the public.

 

The fixed element for the Horse is fire and as such the year 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse in the sexagenarian cycle. The Fire Horse represents dynamic energy, symbolising passion, change, and transformation. Horses also represent strength and freedom. However, it is up to you to agree or not as in the old days, horses (and Oxen) are hard working animals and due to their contain demanded by the owners, these two hard working animals have to work from sunrise to sunset. So, if you are a Horse, and if you were born in the morning, then you may have a hard working life, and if you were born at night, you may have a more relaxed life. Agree?

 

Like those previously issued Zodiac notes, the 20 yuan is also printed in a vertical format on the front and back. 

 

Twenty Yuan

Front - On the front it depicts a galloping horse, predominantly in gold and red colours, the two most auspicious colours to the Chinese. The Coat of Arms is printed on the top left hand corner. An old traditional seal with the word '⾺' (Horse) is printed to the top right corner of the note.

 

Signature - Bank official square seal

Date - 2026年 (year)

Quantity - 100 million pieces

Dimensions - 70mm x 145mm

 

Back - It features three children playing musical instruments of gongs, a flute and a drum. In the background are traditional Mongolian yurts.

 

 

rat  ox  tiger  rabbit  dragon  snake HORSE goat  monkey  rooster  dog  pig