Horse Hoedown

To bring you good luck, good fortune, and a collector’s dream, OHM proudly presents these animal masks for you — starting with the original LION DANCE, and now galloping joyfully into 2026 and beyond with HORSE HOEDOWN.

There is a long-standing tradition in China of dancers wearing masks to resemble animals or mythical beasts — such as dragons, fish, or phoenixes — while moving to mimic the creatures’ movements for good luck and fortune. These dances are an integral part of Chinese New Year celebrations, weddings, and many cultural and religious festivals. The large, elaborate masks are often made of papier-mâché over a bamboo frame and then beautifully painted and adorned with layered cloth, feathers, and fur. Equally colorful costumes accompany the masks, and the dancers shake, leap, and twirl to the vigorous rhythm of powerful drum beats.

During Chinese New Year, troupes of dancers visit homes and shops in the community to perform a dance called cai qing (採青), or “plucking the greens,” to bring good fortune. Traditionally, lettuce was hung on a pole for the dancers to reach, but the “greens” now may be fruit, seafood, or even beer. The dancers must stay in character, within the rhythm of the dance, to pluck the offering. Their reward? A red envelope tied to the greens, filled with money — the more difficult the challenge, the greater the luck.

In the continued vibrant rhythm of tradition and with a joyous clatter of hooves, the wild spirit of HORSE HOEDOWN joins the LION DANCE collection — a celebration of movement, mythology, and dance. Inspired by the resplendent Chinese New Year lion dances and the ornate Zodiac animal masks, this creation channels the fearless vitality of the horse, infused with the celebratory cadence of a festive hoedown.

Drawing upon the legacy of ceremonial performance, HORSE HOEDOWN honors the equine spirit for the Year of the Horse — a symbol of hard work, speed, strength, and unbridled joy. With an articulated jaw seen in Zodiac animal mask predecessors, it echoes the jubilant stomp of lion dance parades and the dynamic expression of East-meets-West pageantry.

A stampede of spirit. A call to dance. A gallop through celebration. Envision the horse's exuberant twirls and kicks, stirring joy, invoking prosperity, and connecting the festive dots between tradition and transformation.

From the original LION DANCE to this wild, waltzing wonder, the Zodiac mask series continues to evolve: OX OLE, TIGER TWO-STEP, RABBIT ROCKER, DRAGON DISCO, SNAKE SASHAY, and now HORSE HOEDOWN — riding the line between past and present, playful, powerful, and undeniably OHM.

Giddy up. Let the revelry reign. This New Year, we don’t just trot — we hoedown.