Hi, my name is Mojca. I am from Slovenia in Europe and I and I work as a student advisor at our Shanghai school.Chinese Zodiacs 🐴 Year of the Horse (Ultimate Guide)
Explore the Year of the Horse in Chinese Astrology, Its Traits, and Its Impact on Personality
In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the different Chinese zodiac animals.
From what they represent and how they impact relationships, to how they influence modern Chinese culture and language, we explain everything you need to know.
Today, we’re continuing the series by exploring the story, the cultural perception and the influence of the seventh year in the lunar calendar cycle: the Year of the Horse 马年 (mǎ nián).
Years of the Horse include: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026.
Year of the Horse || Origin Story
Year of the Horse || Meaning in Chinese Culture
Year of the Horse || Personality
Year of the Horse || At Work and In Relationships
Year of the Horse || Celebrities
Year of the Horse || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Year of the Horse || Horses and Chinese Medicine
Year of the Horse || Horses and Chinese Tourism
Year of the Horse || Horses in Chinese Language
Year of the Horse || Chinese Dishes Named After Horses
Year of the Horse || FAQs
The Year of the Horse || Origin Story
The Horse was rather unlucky in the Great Race ( 十二生肖的竞赛 shí’èr shēngxiào de jìngsài).
Although it had used its strength and speed to tail closely behind the mighty Dragon, it was beaten at the very last minute by the sneaky Snake.
The Horse had been totally unaware that while it was racing forward, the Snake had wrapped itself around its hoof, ready to pounce when the finish line was in sight. 🐍
As the Horse watched the Snake slither across the line in sixth place, it slowed down in disbelief, scuppering any chances of being able to reclaim its rightful position.
And that’s how this majestic animal wound up taking seventh place in the Zodiac calendar.
The Year of the Horse || Meaning in Chinese Culture
Horses are revered in Chinese culture for their strength, endurance, speed and free spirit.
Horses symbolise vitality, success, and independence, and they embody traits of perseverance, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of freedom.
In ancient China, horses were considered symbols of power, wealth, and social status. They were prized possessions of emperors, generals, and nobility, representing authority, strength, and prestige.
Because they were owned by such powerful people, horses are often associated with good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. The arrival of a horse was believed to bring blessings and abundance to a household or community.
As a result, the Year of the Horse is generally regarded as lucky, promising opportunities for growth, prosperity, and achievement.
So, what does it mean if you were born in the Year of the Horse?
Year of the Horse || Personality
Individuals born in the Year of the Horse are said to embody the characteristics of their zodiac animal.
They are often described as energetic, ambitious, and adventurous, with a natural charisma that draws others to them.
Horses are known for their independent spirit and their love for freedom. They often seek out new experiences and challenges.
They are also extremely loyal and fiercely protective of those they care about.
But, like all the zodiac signs, Horses have their negative side as well.
Their impulsive nature and strong will can sometimes lead to clashes with others and make it difficult for them to follow through with long-term commitments.
Do any of these characteristics sound familiar to you? Find out if you were born in the Year of the Horse using our zodiac calculator.
Year of the Horse || Work and Relationships
Although it dates back centuries, the Chinese zodiac is still widely respected in modern China, and its influence can be felt in everything from personal relationships to work. Here’s how the Year of the Horse impacts people in China.
💼 The Horse zodiac at work
Their dynamic and charismatic personalities make Horses perfect for roles that require initiative, leadership, and adaptability.
Their natural charm and ability to navigate challenges with enthusiasm make them well-suited for positions that involve innovation, entrepreneurship, or creative problem-solving.
However, due to their love for independence and autonomy, Horses may sometimes be resistant to authority or reluctant to conform to traditional structures. Born entrepreneurs, perhaps?
Horses work best with individuals born in the Years of the Tiger, Dog, and Sheep, as they share similar values and complement each other’s strengths.
They’ll likely clash with those born in the Years of the Rat and Rabbit, as they are much better suited to teamwork and may dislike the Horse’s aversion to it.
💖 Horse zodiac in relationships
Zodiac signs also influence romantic relationships, and many young Chinese people still consider them an important symbol of compatibility.
Those born in the Year of the Horse are drawn to partners who share their adventurous spirit.
Because they are so strong and dependable, they consider honesty to be extremely important and one lie could spell the end of a relationship with a Horse.
This makes the loyal Dog a great match for the Horse, and the Ox a bad match.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Tiger (A Complete Guide)
The Year of the Tiger 🐯 Everything You Need to Know || Luck, Culture and Compatibility In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the Chinese zodiac animals. From what they represent to how they…
Year of the Horse || Celebrities
Here are some famous faces born in the year of the horse:
Aretha Franklin: 1942
Kobe Bryant: 1978
Emma Watson: 1990
Usain Bolt: 1986
Neil Armstrong: 1930
Year of the Horse || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Auspicious symbols for the Year of the Horse
Chinese zodiac signs don’t just influence personality; they also determine our luck.
And while the Year of the Horse is generally considered a lucky zodiac sign, you’ll still want to pay attention to some auspicious and inauspicious symbols specific to your astrological sign.
Lucky symbols for the Year of the Horse
| Lucky days | The 5th and 20th of any Chinese lunar calendar month |
| Lucky months | 5th, 7th, and 11th Chinese Lunar Months |
| Lucky numbers | 2, 3 and 7 and any combination of numbers containing them |
| Lucky colours | Green and yellow |
| Lucky flowers | Calla lilies and jasmine flowers |
| Lucky direction | East, west, south |
The Year of the Horse might be lucky, but like the other Zodiac signs, it also has unlucky symbols you’ll want to be aware of.
Unlucky symbols for the Year of the Horse
| Unlucky months | 5th, 7th, and 11th Chinese Lunar Months |
| Unlucky numbers | 1, 5 and 6 (and any combination) |
| Unlucky colours | Blue and white |
| Unlucky directions | North and northwest |
If you were born in the Year of the Horse, you can increase your chances of having a lucky year by avoiding your unlucky colours and numbers and paying close attention to your auspicious signs during your unlucky months.
Year of the Horse || Horse and Chinese Medicine
The Horse in Chinese medicine
The Horse plays an important role in Traditional Chinese Medicine thanks to its attributes of strength, vitality, and endurance.
Horse products such as bones, hooves, and hair are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products for their ability to support bone health, strengthen the skeletal system, and promote overall vitality.
In acupuncture, specific points and techniques associated with the energetic qualities of the horse are employed to stimulate energy flow (qi) and restore balance within the body.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Rabbit (The Ultimate Guide)
The Year of the Rabbit 🐰 Everything You Need to Know || Luck, Culture and Compatibility In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the different Chinese zodiac animals. From what they represent to how…
Year of the Horse || Horses and Tourism
Some people also use their zodiac signs to choose travel destinations. This has become a popular trend among travel companies, especially at the start of a new year.
If you were born in the Year of the Horse, you might find that you’re best suited to holiday destinations that appeal to your sense of adventure and use a lot of that extra energy you have stored up.
Our recommendations? Explore the grasslands or desert of Inner Mongolia or take an arduous hike up the Changbai Mountains, which span the three northernmost provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.
Year of the Horse || The Horse in Chinese Language
The word for horse is likely to be one of the first words you learn in Chinese. It features regularly in everyday speech, mostly because the historical role of the animal has so strongly influenced the language.
Here are some of the most common (and useful) examples of phrases you might want to use.
🐎 Horse-related idioms and phrases
马不停蹄
mǎ bù tíng tí
The horse does not stop its hooves
This idiom implies perseverance and dedication in pursuing a goal or task without interruption.
马上
mǎ shàng
Do it right away
This phrase comes from ancient times, when people would ride horses to get around. It literally means ‘at horse speed’ and is still used to express the need to do something immediately.
骑马找马
qí mǎ zhǎo mǎ
Searching for a horse while riding a horse
This idiom describes a situation where someone seeks something they already possess. It carries the negative connotation of implying a lack of awareness in recognising your existing resources or advantages.
👶 Naming Year of the Horse Children
It’s not uncommon for parents around the world to choose a baby name based on its meaning. The same is true in China, only here parents may also choose their children’s names based on their zodiac sign’s auspicious characters.
For Horses, those characters are related to what it eats and how it looks. So names including the radicals grass (艹), wheat (麦) or eye (目) can be considered lucky.
Here are some auspicious characters for Year of the Horse babies:
菁 (jīng) – Vegetable
菽 (shū) – Bean
禾 (hé) – Grain
秀 (xiù) – Elegant
稼 (jià) – To cultivate
睦 (mù) – Harmon
Do you have a Chinese name already? If not, we’ve got you covered. Fill in our Chinese Name Generator, and we’ll select one for you!
Year of the Horse || Chinese Dishes Named After the Horse
Although it’s not super uncommon to find horse meat being served in restaurants across China, it’s not the most common meat on the menu. You’ll also find a few dishes named after the appearance of the animal. Here are some to look out for and try.
马蹄糕mǎ tí gāo
Horse hoof cake
Before you panic, Horse hoof cake doesn’t actually contain horse hooves.
It’s actually made from water chestnut flour, sugar, and sometimes coconut milk.
The mixture is then shaped into small cakes, which resemble horse hooves and then steamed until firm.
Horse hoof cakes are squidgy and subtly sweet – a traditional Chinese dessert commonly found in dim sum restaurants and local markets.
马蹄炒蔬菜mǎ tí chǎo shū cài
Stir-fried vegetables with water chestnuts
This dish features a mix of fresh vegetables stir-fried with crunchy water chestnuts, which are known as “horse hooves” (mǎ tí) in Chinese due to their shape.
The vegetables are typically seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and other savoury seasonings for a great side dish.
马蹄鸡丝凉面mǎ tí jī sī liáng miàn
Cold noodles with shredded chicken and water chestnuts
This dish is a Sichuan classic. It consists of chilled noodles topped with shredded chicken, julienned water chestnuts, cucumber slices, and a tangy sesame dressing. It’s a light and refreshing option for sticky hot Sichuan summer days.
Want to explore the influence of the zodiac animals on Chinese culture, chat about food or learn some new idioms? Check out our Flexi Classes for on-demand Chinese lessons you can take whenever you like. No awkward time-zone challenges and no awkward fixed schedules.
That’s all about Year of The Horse in Chinese Zodiac. Are you a child of Year of The Horse? Share with us here!
Year of the Horse || FAQs
When is the next Year of the Horse?
The Chinese zodiac calendar is 12 years long, which means the next Year of the Horse will be 2026. Previous years included 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014.
What is my Chinese zodiac sign?
Use our Zodiac calculator to find out!
What signs is the Horse most compatible with?
People born in the Year of the Horse are romantically compatible with Tigers, Dogs and Sheep.
What signs is the Horse not compatible with?
People born in the Year of the Horse are not romantically compatible with Rats, Oxen and Rabbits.
Is the Year of the Horse lucky?
The Year of the Horse is considered lucky due to the fact they symbolise vitality, success, and independence.
What is the Year of the Horse personality like?
People born in the Year of the Horse are characterised as energetic, adventurous, and charismatic. However, their independent streak and preference for autonomy can sometimes be mistaken for resistance or reluctance.
What comes after the year of the Horse?
The Year of the Sheep follows the Year of the Horse.
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