The 'crying horse' toy becoming an unlikely hit for Lunar New Year

Four red plush horse toys are lines on a shelf in ascending height order. They have big blue eyes which are looking down and to the right. They each have a white muzzle with an upside down smiley face on it. It makes it look like the horse is sad.

28 January 2026

A toy has been turning frowns upside down after accidentally having its smile turned upside down.

The "crying horse" has been a huge hit online and has become an unlikely bestseller ahead of the Lunar New Year, which in 2026 is the Year of the Horse.

The red plush toy was designed with a happy face, but a worker sewed the mouth on upside down by accident.

After photos were shared online, it became so popular that shop owner Zhang Huoqing decided to keep making the sad horse.

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The Year of the Horse

Customers look at crying horse and smiling horse plush toys ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. There are lots of different red plush horses. Some are smiling and some are sad. People are holding up different ones

Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people around the world, especially in East and Southeast Asia.

This year marks the Year of the Horse, and it starts on 17 February.

New Year celebrations happen from the evening before and last for 15 days.

Each year, toys and memorabilia go on sale to represent the zodiac animal sign.