Discover the Spirit of the Horse
Year of the Horse Celebration
Join us in honoring the vibrant traditions of the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength and freedom. The Lunar New Year starts on February 17, 2026, and is celebrated in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian American communities in New York City.
The Significance of the Year of the Horse
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Lunar New Year is celebrated as the arrival of the Year of the Fire or Red Horse.
The Chinese calendar is made up of twelve-year cycles, with each year identified as having the characteristics of twelve different animals. The horse is the seventh animal.
Parallel to the 12-year cycle of animals is a four-year cycle of the five vital life-processes of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The metaphysical cycles of these two powers overlap but don’t coincide, so each year’s animal force is altered by what vital life processes are in major force.
This Year of the Horse is empowered by Firey Red vitality.
Traditionally, the metaphysical world of the Red Horse has both good and worrisome characteristics. In Chinese history, riding the horse was a sign of wanting to receive help to move up in social status or to get away from dangers. See below for more on the history of the Year of the Horse.
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Historical Significance of the Year of the Horse
Overview of the Chinese documentary history of the Year of the Horse by Kang Jiao-Ren.
The Year of the Horse (Ma Nian) received much of its significance in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).
During the rule of Emperor Wu (147-87 BC), the Han Dynasty defeated the Western Xiungnu (a derogatory term for the Westerners meaning “slave”) to gain control of their horses and trade with the West.
The Western horses were called “Heavenly Horses” or “Fire Horses” and were considered high-end military assets. The Fire Horses “sweated blood” in battle. A famous Chinese general rode on a powerful galloping horse called “Red-Hare Horse.”
They cost an insane amount of money, about 100 ounces of silver, which translates into $8000 at today’s price for silver. However, since silver was much more valuable than gold in the Han times, the price of the horses might translate into gold prices, about $500,000. It seems that Western military technology has always been very costly.
The arrival of the Year of the Horse can mean the arrival of Western power to get rid of weak, corrupt rulers in China. But equipped with fire-breathing horses, the Han may rule the West.
A Year of the Horse slogan is Ma Dao Cheng Gong, which means “When the horse arrives, achieving success is immediate.”
Historically, “getting the horse” means that a shaman is calling the gods to visit him to provide help. But a “horse of the will” means someone who is willful and inconstant.
The Time of the Horse is from 11 AM to 12:50 PM when the horse stands upright in the midday sun while the other animals lie down to rest.
There were many names for horses, denoting size and colors. However, most of these Chinese words have died out as the significance of horses decreased.
Traditional Cantonese New Year greetings are “Gong hay fat choy” (or “Gong xi fa cai” in Mandarin), meaning “Wishing you prosperity and wealth,” and “Sun nin fai lok” (or “Xin nian kuai le” in Mandarin), meaning “Happy New Year!”
Embrace the Spirit of the Horse
Calligraphy of the Year of the Horse
Calligraphy is a revered art form that beautifully intertwines with the cultural tapestry of the Year of the Horse. In Asian cultures, calligraphy is not merely a method of writing but a spiritual practice that embodies grace, discipline, and tradition. The Year of the Horse, symbolizing energy and freedom, is often depicted in calligraphic art to convey the dynamic spirit and elegance of the horse.
Calligraphy by Darilyn Carnes. Design by Tony Carnes
