Strengths
- Energetic and enthusiastic
- Independent and free-spirited
- Warm and sociable
- Honest and direct
Chinese zodiac 马: Year of the Horse
The Horse is the seventh Chinese zodiac animal, associated in tradition with energy, independence and a love of freedom and movement.
It is a Horse year now: the Fire Horse runs until Friday 5 February 2027. Chinese New Year 2026
- Chinese
- 马 mǎ
- Earthly Branch
- 午 Wǔ
- Fixed element
- Fire
- Polarity
- Yang
- Hours
- 11:00–13:00
Horse years, 1900–2100
Each Horse year starts at Chinese New Year, so birthdays in January or early February of these years may belong to the previous animal. Check the exact dates:
| Year | From – to | Element |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 25 Jan 1906 – 12 Feb 1907 | Fire Horse 丙午 |
| 1918 | 11 Feb 1918 – 31 Jan 1919 | Earth Horse 戊午 |
| 1930 | 30 Jan 1930 – 16 Feb 1931 | Metal Horse 庚午 |
| 1942 | 15 Feb 1942 – 4 Feb 1943 | Water Horse 壬午 |
| 1954 | 3 Feb 1954 – 23 Jan 1955 | Wood Horse 甲午 |
| 1966 | 21 Jan 1966 – 8 Feb 1967 | Fire Horse 丙午 |
| 1978 | 7 Feb 1978 – 27 Jan 1979 | Earth Horse 戊午 |
| 1990 | 27 Jan 1990 – 14 Feb 1991 | Metal Horse 庚午 |
| 2002 | 12 Feb 2002 – 31 Jan 2003 | Water Horse 壬午 |
| 2014 | 31 Jan 2014 – 18 Feb 2015 | Wood Horse 甲午 |
| 2026 | 17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 | Fire Horse 丙午 |
| 2038 | 4 Feb 2038 – 23 Jan 2039 | Earth Horse 戊午 |
| 2050 | 23 Jan 2050 – 10 Feb 2051 | Metal Horse 庚午 |
| 2062 | 9 Feb 2062 – 28 Jan 2063 | Water Horse 壬午 |
| 2074 | 27 Jan 2074 – 14 Feb 2075 | Wood Horse 甲午 |
| 2086 | 14 Feb 2086 – 2 Feb 2087 | Fire Horse 丙午 |
| 2098 | 1 Feb 2098 – 20 Jan 2099 | Earth Horse 戊午 |
The Horse in Chinese astrology
The Horse is the seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac and corresponds to the Earthly Branch wǔ, which also names the double-hour around midday. In the Great Race the Horse was galloping towards the finish when the Snake, hidden around its hoof, darted out and startled it, so the Horse came in seventh. In Chinese culture the horse has long stood for speed, endurance and success, as in the old saying 马到成功, “success on the horse's arrival”.
Chinese astrology associates the Horse with energy, independence and warmth. Horse-born people are traditionally described as cheerful, sociable and quick on their feet, happiest when they have room to move and a new horizon ahead. They are said to be honest and direct, and to lose interest when life feels too confined. The Horse is a yang sign with Fire as its fixed element, which suits its lively image.
Challenges
- Impatient with delays
- Restless under routine
- Starts more than it finishes
- Resists being restricted
In love
Traditional readings describe the Horse as an enthusiastic, openhearted partner who brings fun and spontaneity to a relationship. It is said to fall in love quickly and to need a partner who gives it freedom rather than tight control. Classical rules place the Horse in a trine with the Tiger and the Dog and name the Goat as its secret friend; the Rat is its clash sign.
At work
In tradition the Horse is a quick, energetic worker who likes variety, movement and visible progress. It is associated with roles involving travel, communication, sales or anything with a fast pace and a clear goal. The Horse is said to work best when trusted to run with an idea, and to feel held back by heavy procedures or close supervision.
The five kinds of Horse
Wood Horse
A Wood Horse is said to be more cooperative and steady, combining the Horse's energy with a wish to grow and share ideas.
1954, 2014, 2074
Fire Horse
Fire is the Horse's own fixed element, so the Fire Horse is traditionally the most intense and independent Horse – spirited, bold and famously strong-willed.
1906, 1966, 2026, 2086
Earth Horse
An Earth Horse is described as calmer and more careful, willing to plan ahead and keep its enthusiasm on course.
1918, 1978, 2038, 2098
Metal Horse
A Metal Horse is said to be especially determined and freedom-loving, headstrong and focused on its own goals.
1930, 1990, 2050
Water Horse
A Water Horse is associated with adaptability and charm, quick to adjust to new people and places.
1942, 2002, 2062
Horse compatibility
- Trine (San He)
- Tiger, Dog One of the four groups of three animals four years apart, traditionally the most harmonious match.
- Six Harmonies (Liu He)
- Goat A “secret friend” pair, traditionally supportive and complementary.
- Clash (Liu Chong)
- Rat Opposite animals six years apart, traditionally the most challenging pairing.
- Harm (Liu Hai)
- Ox A pair traditionally said to cause friction or misunderstandings.
Questions and answers
What is a Fire Horse?
A Fire Horse year combines the Horse branch (午, wǔ) with the yang Fire stem (丙, bǐng) and comes round once every 60 years. Tradition gives it the Horse's energy at full strength. In Japan an old superstition about women born in Fire Horse years, known as hinoeuma, was followed by a well-documented drop in births in 1966.
What is the Horse's element?
The Horse's fixed element is Fire, and it is a yang sign. Each Horse year also takes an element from its Heavenly Stem, so over a 60-year cycle there are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Horses, and every Horse year is a yang year.
Which animals are compatible with the Horse?
Classical Chinese astrology places the Horse in a trine (San He) with the Tiger and the Dog and pairs it with the Goat as a Six Harmonies (Liu He) match. The Horse clashes (Liu Chong) with the Rat, its opposite in the cycle, and its Six Harms (Liu Hai) partner is the Ox.