Vancouver Canucks Celebrate Lunar New Year with a Fiery New Logo

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the Vancouver Canucks are embracing tradition and celebrating the vibrant Asian community with a breathtaking new logo. 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese calendar – a powerful symbol of ambition, passion, and relentless drive. To honour this auspicious occasion, the Canucks partnered with talented Vancouver-based illustrator and mural artist, Carolyn Wong, to create a design that beautifully blends cultural heritage with team spirit.

A Symbol of Strength and Unity

Wong seamlessly integrated the horse into the iconic Canucks orca emblem, creating a visually stunning representation of cultural connection and shared strength. “These cultural traditions are very important and also very personal. So, for this design to be shared with the community at this level and at the scale is just absolutely surreal, and I’m beyond thrilled to have participated in this collaboration,” Wong shared.

In Chinese culture, the horse embodies independence, freedom, and forward momentum. The element of fire adds transformative energy, intensity, and passion. Wong masterfully wove these elements together, utilizing traditional Lunar New Year colours – vibrant red and auspicious gold – to symbolize luck and prosperity. As Wong explains, “The horse represents independence, freedom, and momentum. Fire represents transformative energy, intensity, and passion. This is the sentiment that I want to wish to everybody.”

Design Details: A Harmonious Blend

Wong cleverly inset the horse within the familiar structure of the Canucks’ orca logo. The horse’s flowing mane gracefully blends into the orca’s fins, visually representing unity and harmony. Even the shape of the horse’s mouth subtly mirrors the original orca logo, preserving the team’s recognizable imprint and energy. Flames surround the horse, symbolizing the energy, momentum, and fearlessness needed to charge forward into the new year.

The dynamic movement of the fire suggests the horse galloping forward with passion and grit, embodying the Canucks’ unwavering determination. This design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful statement about inclusivity and cultural pride.

Celebrating Diversity and Community

“I think that this is a really exciting opportunity to highlight the Asian community as well,” Wong stated. “As a Chinese Canadian artist, this opportunity to collaborate with the Canucks is so significant because hockey is at the center of the Canadian identity. So especially in Vancouver, that makes the Canucks at the center of Vancouver’s culture.”

This project beautifully celebrates the diversity of the Lower Mainland, and Wong is deeply honoured to have played a role in bringing it to life. Through tradition, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose, she hopes everyone can move forward together with strength and resilience in the Year of the Fire Horse. The Canucks score a major win for cultural representation with this stunning and meaningful logo.

Learn more about the Lunar New Year and its traditions at History.com.