China Media Group (CMG) has officially unveiled the mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, which will be held under the sign of the Year of the Horse. The traditional symbol of strength, energy and rapid progress is reflected in four playful characters named Qiqi, Jiji, Chichi and Chengcheng, who will accompany viewers through one of the most watched television events of the year.

The mascots are depicted as lively, cheerful and confident horses full of vitality. Their appearance combines a modern visual style with deep roots in Chinese history and culture. Each character draws inspiration from a different historical period, and together they create a symbolic journey through time that emphasises the continuity of traditions and an optimistic view of the future.

Chengcheng is based on the form koně Převalského, the only surviving species of wild horse in the world. This species is often referred to as a living genetic fossil with an evolutionary history spanning more than 60 million years. Today, China plays a key role in its conservation and breeds the largest population of these horses in the world.

Qiqi draws inspiration from bronze artefacts in the shape of horses from the period. Western Zhou dynasty, while Jiji refers to the legendary heavenly horse from the era of dynastie Han and the famous motif of a galloping bronze horse, considered a national treasure. Chichi is based on the aesthetics of dynastie Tang, specifically from the so-called three-coloured horse Sanhuama, a symbol of the highest quality and elegance recorded in historical sources.

The visual concept of the mascots is complemented by traditional ornaments, such as flowing cloud motifs and mountain-cloud patterns, which have appeared in Chinese art for thousands of years. Together, they convey a message of prosperity, rapid success and a promising future, values that the Spring Festival Gala has long embodied.

CMG