Anywhere you go in Beijing during the month of January 2014 leading up to the Spring Festival, decorations, toys, and products geared toward celebrating the Chinese New Year have been springing up extra early this year. In 2013, it was the Year of the Snake plush toys that were a popular item and the year before that it was Year of the Dragon plush toys. For 2014, there is no difference but the animal to coincide with the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Year of the Horse plush toys have become a popular commodity this year, sparked in interest by the recent internet phenomenon of 马上有钱 (ma shang you qian), where money is placed on top of toy plush horses in order to signify money on top of a horse/immediately comes money in a pun that is both clever and fun. Online, millions of photos have sprang up with netizens sharing images of money and expensive items being placed on top of toy plush horses.

As like every Chinese New Year, Chinese traditionally look for prosperity, wealth, and good luck for the new year. The Chinese zodiac plays a great role for those whose birth year coincides with the upcoming year and corresponding zodiac animal to wish for success during the new year. As a fun way to celebrate 2014’s Chinese New Year, those celebrating the Year of the Horse may want to commemorate it with a toy plush horse.

Places to find toy plush horses are many around Beijing. Virtually anywhere selling Chinese New Year items will carry these plush toys. From big stores like Carrefour, to stalls in wholesale markets, and everywhere in between, customers desiring a toy plush horse have nearly unlimited options.