‘Rein-ing’ horses: Eye-catching hongbao to help you ride the wave of prosperity this CNY

SINGAPORE – It is that time of the year again, and the star of 2026’s show, the horse, gallops into full view on red packets across the island.

Catch it mid-stride on global asset manager Schroders’ red packets, which come in three variations. On one, the horse runs wild. On another, it rears as flames spark around it. And in the final part of this trilogy, it ascends, lifted into the sky on wings.

Equally dramatic are the designs from Standard Chartered bank, which feature two galloping horses rendered in bold colours and set against a richly patterned backdrop. There are four variations in total, and together, the full set recalls the eight horses of Wang Mu, a legend from the Zhou Dynasty about a ruler whose chariot was pulled by eight steeds.

Swiss bank UBS’ red packets have also been pumped full of vigour and ornate detail. Two horses thunder into frame, flowers blooming and gold clouds swirling among them.

Peonies line the base of Chinese restaurant Si Chuan Dou Hua’s red packets. Above them rises a golden horse, its body adorned with floral motifs. 

Indeed, that perennially prosperous colour combination is proving just as popular in 2026. Many noble steeds, like the ones from Resorts World Sentosa, TWG Tea and Eu Yan Sang, arrive gilded in gold, shimmering against a deep red background. 

In the case of Takashimaya department store, the reverse is also available: A golden envelope, onto which is etched a horse-shaped stencil, pulls away to reveal a red peony underneath. 

On packets by cosmetics brand Clarins and household appliances company V Zug, the horse sparkles, framed by golden dust.

A similar flurry swirls around the hooves of Harvey Norman’s floral horses as they gallop beneath a shower of falling blooms. 

BMW’s horse is more abstract. In lieu of the animal’s figure, the golden strokes have intertwined in the characters “宝马”, or “precious steed”. This calligraphic interpretation also nods subtly to the car brand’s emblem. 

Also drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese art, the golden packets from Lion Global Investors unfurl in a set of four that resembles an ink painting, complete with mountains, trees, soaring cranes and a solitary horse.

Another continuous set comes from hospitality company The Ascott Limited. Here, the horse’s mane morphs into waves, into wind, then into a mountain ridge, connecting four separate scenes in a meditation on the cyclical nature of time. 

Financial advisory firm Synergy’s set embraces abundance, encompassing not four but five designs: horses, oranges, magpies, fish and a lion dance head. 

So does Cantonese restaurant The Black Pearl, which weaves signature dishes and architectural elements into its quintet.

Perhaps inspired by the “experience-led” lifestyle espoused by its company, the sunglasses-donning horses on the hongbao of co-living space Lyf know how to have a good time.

In one version, it takes a bath in a tub of gold ingots. In another, it parties under a disco ball, glass of wine in hoof. 

Such cutesy illustrations can be found elsewhere as well. See, for instance, the elegant pink packets from stationery brand Papercranes Design, or the lantern-wielding red horse on local designer Kimberly Chan’s orange packets. 

The National Heritage Board has once again assembled its annual collection of horse mascots, their outfits inspired by the institution they represent. There are 49 unique designs in total, which can be collected at participating museums.

Energy company Senoko’s supersized hongbao, meanwhile, amps up the cute factor with a photo of a toy horse. And this cuddly mount has an equally adorable rider: a round pineapple plushie. 

For a more tactile experience, reach for the designs of Trust Bank. A velvety finish mimics the smooth fuzz of horsehair, while the rest of the packet is crafted from sustainably sourced paper. In between the two horse heads is a mosaic resembling Peranakan tiles. 

Local culture also flows into packets from foodcourt chain Kopitiam. Rising out of a cup of kopi, a carousel of horses spins leisurely round. 

Other packets invoke an element of play in more interactive ways. Inside Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s packets, you will find more than just money. Join the pieces to form a 3D model that might just outlast the festive season. 

Similarly, Maad Creatives, a graphic design agency, has tucked a horse model template into its red packet. Follow the instructions to transform your hongbao into a model of a rocking horse. 

Or open private bank EFG’s red packet for a ma-gnificent surprise. Spoiler alert: Do not be fooled by its plain exterior – a hidden horse is waiting to leap out at you.

EFG’s beast is frozen in motion, but you can make the horse on Shangri-La Group’s hongbao gallop by pulling on a cloud-shaped tab. 

Last but certainly not least, Ode To Art gallery’s maximalist design is packed with auspicious symbolism, prosperous phrases and celestial horses. Give the wheels a spin. Who knows huat you might win this year?