Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Yin-yang: Yang
Symbolic qualities
- free
- energetic
- cheerful
- outspoken
The Horse is the symbol of movement and freedom. It is open to new experiences and its enthusiasm is catching. Its shadow side is impatience and struggling to see a task through.
The outward, initiating, active side. In yang years the element is expressed in a more visible, active way.
Cultural note
It is told that in the Han period China sought the horses of Ferghana (Dayuan) as "heavenly horses" for its army; that story makes it easy to think of the horse together with speed and distant roads in Chinese culture.
Things you might reflect on
- What moves you most these days?
- While guarding your freedom, what would you like to stay committed to?
- Is there a place where slowing down might do you good?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1906 · Fire · 25 January 1906
- 1918 · Earth · 11 February 1918
- 1930 · Metal · 30 January 1930
- 1942 · Water · 15 February 1942
- 1954 · Wood · 3 February 1954
- 1966 · Fire · 21 January 1966
- 1978 · Earth · 7 February 1978
- 1990 · Metal · 27 January 1990
- 2002 · Water · 12 February 2002
- 2014 · Wood · 31 January 2014
- 2026 · Fire · 17 February 2026
- 2038 · Earth · 4 February 2038
- 2050 · Metal · 23 January 2050
- 2062 · Water · 9 February 2062
- 2074 · Wood · 27 January 2074
- 2086 · Fire · 14 February 2086
- 2098 · Earth · 1 February 2098
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Horse
- Wood feeds fire: enthusiasm and creativity run high. Eager to set out on new roads; watch the tendency to leave things half done.
- Fire Horse
- The horse doubled in its own element: speed, passion and outspokenness are intense. Seeing something through takes deliberate effort.
- Earth Horse
- Fire feeds earth: the horse channels its energy into concrete work. More settled and readier to take on responsibility.
- Metal Horse
- Fire works metal: a free spirit meets discipline. A horse that is more selective and looks more clearly at its target.
- Water Horse
- Water tempers fire: enthusiasm calms and intuition comes forward. The horse is more open to emotional depth and rest.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.