The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

China Decode: What the Fire Horse Reveals About China’s Past and Future

February 17, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The Year of the Fire Horse, occurring once every 60 years (last in 1966, the start of the Cultural Revolution), is traditionally associated with volatility, turbulence, and dramatic change in Chinese astrology. 
  • Chinese New Year traditions, such as the reunion dinner and giving *hongbao* (lucky money), reflect a significant cultural shift as younger generations in urban areas increasingly opt for restaurant celebrations over home cooking. 
  • Despite official crackdowns on social movements, Chinese women are demonstrating growing assertiveness and female empowerment through business success (high number of self-made billionaires) and informal resistance to traditional expectations regarding marriage and motherhood, exemplified by phenomena like renting boyfriends for the New Year. 

Segments

Fire Horse Zodiac Meaning
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The Fire Horse year signifies potential volatility and dramatic change, historically coinciding with upheaval like the 1966 Cultural Revolution.
  • Summary: The Fire Horse zodiac pairing appears only once every 60 years, combining the Horse’s speed and boldness with the intensity of the Fire element. Traditional Chinese belief associates this year with turbulence, destruction, but also energy and renewal. The last Fire Horse year, 1966, marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in China.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Copied to clipboard!
(00:04:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The Chinese New Year remains the most important festival centered on family reunion, though modern interpretations include viral social media trends like using Draco Malfoy as a symbol of good fortune.
  • Summary: The reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is central to the Chinese New Year, prompting massive annual migration. The tradition of hanging the character for ‘Fu’ (fortune) upside down signifies that happiness has arrived. Contemporary celebrations incorporate modern elements, such as using the character similarity between Draco Malfoy’s Chinese name and ‘Good Fortune Horse’ for viral door decorations.
Zodiac Influence on Decisions
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:00)
  • Key Takeaway: While Chinese people claim not to believe fully in the zodiac, they may cautiously incorporate its predictions into major financial decisions, and the Fire Horse year is generally avoided for starting marriages or having children.
  • Summary: The Chinese view the zodiac as cultural tradition rather than absolute belief, though it can influence risk assessment in financial investments. Due to the association with turbulence, the Fire Horse year is considered an inauspicious time for starting new ventures like weddings or having babies. The following Goat year is also considered slightly unlucky.
Historical Fire Horse Instability
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Historical analysis shows that past Fire Horse years, notably 1966 and 1906, coincided with major political and natural disasters, fueling contemporary anxiety about the current year.
  • Summary: The 1966 Fire Horse year marked the start of the decade-long Cultural Revolution, which caused massive casualties and economic strain. The preceding Fire Horse year, 1906, coincided with the Qing Dynasty nearing collapse and devastating floods that killed an estimated 25 million people. These historical precedents cause current public worry regarding political instability.
Birth Rates and Zodiac Babies
Copied to clipboard!
(00:15:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Declining birth rates in China are driven by educated women prioritizing careers and personal freedom over traditional motherhood, despite government incentives and the cultural importance of auspicious birth years like the Dragon.
  • Summary: Dragon years are highly sought after for births due to the association with power and fortune, contrasting with the Fire Horse’s mixed signals regarding female strength. The primary driver for declining fertility is the changing attitude of urban-educated women who view marriage and motherhood as optional for a fulfilling life. The speaker asserts that the economy acts as the ‘best contraception’ due to workplace discrimination against married women.
Female Empowerment and Resistance
Copied to clipboard!
(00:20:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite official suppression of organized feminism, Chinese women exhibit practical, growing gender equality through high rates of self-made female billionaires and creative circumvention of social regulations.
  • Summary: China leads globally in the number of self-made female billionaires, suggesting women excel in business where success depends less on external social structures. Young women are increasingly assertive, sometimes rejecting parental pressure by renting partners for the New Year or engaging in relationships with younger men (Xiaoxian Rou). Although official feminist platforms have been shut down, daily feminism persists through informal support networks.
Urbanization and Generational Shift
Copied to clipboard!
(00:29:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The massive annual Spring Festival migration highlights China’s rapid urbanization since the 1980s, while the ‘Tangping’ (lying flat) movement reflects current youth disillusionment due to stagnated social mobility.
  • Summary: The Spring Festival migration, expected to hit 9.5 billion trips, demonstrates the mobility gained since the reform era, shifting the population from 70% rural to 70% urban. Stagnant social mobility, high youth unemployment, and high costs in Tier 1 cities fuel the ‘Tangping’ movement, where youth opt out of intense competition. Some young people are moving back to lower-tier cities or adopting extreme low-effort lifestyles like ‘Laosu Zhou’ (living like a rat).
New Year Food Traditions
Copied to clipboard!
(00:36:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Key Chinese New Year foods carry symbolic meaning: fish represents surplus, dumplings symbolize wealth (resembling gold ingots), and Nian Gao (sticky rice cake) signifies yearly advancement.
  • Summary: Firecrackers and fireworks are set off at midnight on New Year’s Eve to drive away the evil spirit, Nian. The fish dish is traditionally served but left uneaten to ensure a ‘surplus’ (yu) remains for the year. Dumplings are eaten because their shape mimics ancient gold ingots, representing wealth, while Tangyuan (sweet dumplings) and Nian Gao are also essential festive foods.