The Fú Lù Shòu Fire Horses by Ratih Luhur

Look up from the streets of the city centre and spot the vibrant artworks of Asian-Australian artists on street banners to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

A rare celestial force, the Fire Horse gallops through time once every 60 years – igniting passion, transformation and unstoppable energy.

The Fú Lù Shòu Fire Horses, with fiery manes and a palette of bold reds, golds and oranges, channel courage and the regenerative power of fire. They carry hope and harmony, galloping toward a future of balance and boundless potential.

Fú (福), Lù (禄) and Shòu (寿) – the 3 star gods (三星) – represent fortune, prosperity and longevity. Together, they symbolise happiness, success and endurance.

Australian native adornments reflect yin-yang harmony. The tree fern – calm, green, tranquil and earthy – represents yin energy. The waratah – vibrant, spiked, dynamic, heavenly – represents yang energy. It is also the emblem of NSW.

This fusion of cultural blessings and native elements invites Sydney’s multicultural communities into a harmonious year of courageous creativity and radiant renewal.

About the artist

Sydney’s multi-award-winning artist Ratih Luhur works across watercolour, ceramics, multimedia, installation and public art. Rooted in her Chinese-Indonesian heritage and global experience, her minimalist aesthetic blends cultural symbolism with architectural influence, crafting universal narratives that bridge East-West artistic traditions, celebrate diversity and honour cultural heritage.

@ratih.luhur on Instagram

Ratih Luhur on LinkedIn

Want more?

Download the Sydney Culture Walks app to see the locations of all banner galleries lanterns, installations and more in the Sydney Lunar Festival Walk.