Year of the Horse
The Year of the Horse is 马年 (mǎ nián), the 7th sign of the twelve. The most recent Horse year began on 17 February 2026 (2026). The horse stands for speed, energy and success in Chinese culture, and a galloping horse is a common image for getting ahead. The word 马上, literally "on horseback", is the everyday way to say right away.
Horse years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 February 2026 to 5 February 2027 | Fire Horse | 丙午 bǐng wǔ |
| 2014 | 31 January 2014 to 18 February 2015 | Wood Horse | 甲午 jiǎ wǔ |
| 2002 | 12 February 2002 to 31 January 2003 | Water Horse | 壬午 rén wǔ |
| 1990 | 27 January 1990 to 14 February 1991 | Metal Horse | 庚午 gēng wǔ |
| 1978 | 7 February 1978 to 27 January 1979 | Earth Horse | 戊午 wù wǔ |
| 1966 | 21 January 1966 to 8 February 1967 | Fire Horse | 丙午 bǐng wǔ |
Born in January or February of one of these years? You may belong to the previous animal: check the start date, or use the calculator.
The Horse in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be energetic
- associated with freedom and independence
- said to be cheerful and sociable
- sometimes described as impatient
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属马 | wǒ shǔ mǎ | I was born in the Year of the Horse | 属 + animal gives your sign |
| 马年 | mǎ nián | the Year of the Horse | animal + 年 names the year |
| 马上 | mǎ shàng | right away | one of the most common words in spoken Chinese |
| 马路 | mǎ lù | road, street | originally a road for horses |
Idioms with 马
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 马到成功 | mǎ dào chéng gōng | success as soon as the horse arrives | Immediate success, a common good wish in the Year of the Horse. |
| 一马当先 | yī mǎ dāng xiān | one horse takes the lead | To take the lead and be first to act. |
| 塞翁失马 | sài wēng shī mǎ | the old man at the frontier loses his horse | A misfortune can turn out to be a blessing. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Tiger 虎 and Dog 狗. Secret friend (六合): Goat 羊. Clash (六冲): Rat 鼠. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- Year of the Rat
- Year of the Ox
- Year of the Tiger
- Year of the Rabbit
- Year of the Dragon
- Year of the Snake
- Year of the Goat
- Year of the Monkey
- Year of the Rooster
- Year of the Dog
- Year of the Pig
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
What is the Year of the Horse said to bring?
It is traditionally associated with energy, travel and quick success, which is why 马到成功 is the standard greeting for it. That is a wish, not a forecast.
How do you wish someone well in a Horse year?
马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng), literally "success as soon as the horse arrives", is the classic wish. It is used all year, not only in Horse years.
What years are Horse years?
Horse years include 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later.
Which signs suit the Horse?
Tradition names Tiger 虎 and Dog 狗 as the best matches, Goat 羊 as the secret friend and Rat 鼠 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Horse" in Chinese?
我属马 (wǒ shǔ mǎ). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 马 year.
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