This Month’s Featured Article

So long, Year of the Snake, and hello, Year of the Horse.

To me there couldn’t be any finer animal to welcome in another Chinese zodiac year than the horse, and on February 17, when it starts, I’ll be tuning myself into what’s possible for the year to come by keeping my thoughts and actions equine oriented.

Why? Well, why not?

My love affair with horses started young for me. My parents had them on our farm in Chester County, PA, and as soon as I could convince my mother that I would be far happier on the back of a horse than on a bench at the piano, there was no separating me from these majestic animals. I took to heart the proverb often associated with Winston Churchill that says, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” (except that I replaced man with person).

When I was on a horse or with a horse, I was happy. Lucky, lucky me that I was able to spend so much time with horses. And while I don’t have that same proximity to them today, they are forever in my heart and, I suspect, in my blood. So 2026 is the Year of the Horse. I lay carrots, oats, alfalfa, and sugar cubes at its feet until it trots away for another 12 years on February 5, 2027, when it will be the Year of the Goat/Sheep.

What is the meaning of the Year of the Horse?

Of all the information out there about the origins of the Chinese zodiac, what I like best is the fable that seems to have survived. It claims that a prominent emperor declared that 12 animals should race, and their finishing times would determine their order of importance in the zodiac. The 12 animals were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat (or sheep), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

The tale goes that the rat cheated. It thought the ox would win, and so jumped on its shoulders for most of the race, jumping off at just the right time to cross the finish line first. The rat thus became the first animal in the zodiac, followed by the others in the order listed above. The horse finished seventh because the snake, lurking in the grass, startled it, causing it to rear backward, at which time the snake slithered across the finish line just ahead of the horse. Why did the pig finish last? Because it stopped to eat and nap during the race.

Tale or tail or whatever, the 12 animals have been presiding over people’s fortunes for thousands of years. Personality traits are associated with each of the animals, and just like we Westerners take our monthly zodiac sign traits to heart, so do Easterners with their animals. That the animals hold court for a full year and only resurface a dozen years later lends extra importance to their presence. Which animal are you?

Here is a description of the signs with the associated birth years:

Rat

1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020.

Family-oriented, frugal and quick-witted, the Rat is also known to have a good sense of humor and is optimistic. They are a delight to have around and cleverly adapt to any situation.

Ox

1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.

Steadfast, relentless and hardworking, an Ox values integrity above everything else. They are always loyal and dependable. There is a chance they might be taken for granted by others due to these qualities and may feel sidelined at times, but they always keep going and are rewarded in the end.

Tiger

1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022.

Passionate and high on energy, the tiger is an impulsive romantic who loves taking risks. The majestic persona also mirrors a huge ego. Not afraid to make mistakes, the tiger doesn’t shy away from trying new things.

Rabbit

1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023.

The rabbit hates conflict of any kind and is very affable in nature. Social creatures that they are, they look for attention and are great in relationships. A rabbit is also known to be even-tempered and artistic.

Dragon

1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024.

The Chinese consider Dragons to be great leaders. Enthusiastic, result-oriented and independent, they are one of the most popular animals in the zodiac.

Snake

1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

The Snake is mysterious and can be warm and open but also cold and secretive. Highly intuitive and compassionate but only to those who unlock this side of them.

Horse

1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Carefree and wild, people born in the Year of Horse seldom turn an adventure down. They also like to experiment and surround themselves with many people. They have an infectious energy and can sometimes put people off with their slightly imposing opinions.

Goat/Sheep

1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

The Goat has a mild temperament and is known to have a kind heart, but do not mistake it to be a pushover, for they value their independence and hate compromising.

Monkey

1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

The Monkey has an innate ability to lead and is found to be really good at problem-solving. Monkeys have a tendency to seek new and exciting opportunities and therefore sometimes stray from their partners.

Rooster

1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

Flexible and resilient, especially in uncomfortable situations, the Rooster loves things to be perfect. They are bound by duty and pride.

Dog

1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Faithful to the core, those born in the Dog years love to do what is expected of them and to honor their commitments. They are also very detail-oriented, selfless, and giving.

Pig

1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Kind and lovable, Pigs like to keep their circle tight. Usually non-confrontational, they do not shy away from a fight if they are convinced that they are right.

What about your elemental nature?

Besides the influence of the animals in their birth year, the Chinese Zodiac is also rooted in five elements that are considered influencing energies. They are metal, water, wood, fire, and earth.

Metal is rigid and unmovable. It symbolizes strength and a penchant towards making and obeying rules. Its season is autumn.

Water is creative and full of free-flowing energy. Those under its influence are considered calm and forward-thinking but can also be destructive. Its season is winter.

Wood is warm, nurturing and encourages growth. Its season is spring.

Fire is impulsive, passionate, and full of life, with a tendency to be aggressive. Its season is summer.

Earth is dependable, balanced, and consistent. It has both yin and yang energies and so transitions between seasons.

Determining which element relates to you is simple, per this chart:

Metal: The last digit of your birth year is 0 or 1

Water: The last digit of your birth year is 2 or 3

Wood: The last digit of your birth year is 4 or 5

Fire: The last digit of your birth year is 6 or 7

Earth: The last digit of your birth year is 8 or 9

Each animal sign has a fixed element, as well. They are: 

Tiger and Rabbit – Wood
Snake and Horse – Fire
Ox, Dragon, Sheep, and Dog – Earth
Monkey and Rooster – Metal
Pig and Rat – Water

The Year of the Horse is symbolized by fire, just as the Snake was before it. What does this mean for us as we enter it?

What to expect 

The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dynamic and powerful cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It blends the Horse’s natural speed, independence, and vitality with the intensity and transformative force of the Fire element. Together, they create a period marked by rapid movement, bold decisions, and emotional intensity. Historically, Fire Horse years have been remembered for their dramatic shifts, their bursts of creativity, and their ability to push individuals and societies toward reinvention.

At its core, the Fire Horse year is defined by momentum. Opportunities tend to appear quickly, and circumstances can change just as fast. This is a time when people feel compelled to make choices they have long postponed, driven by a sense that staying still is no longer an option. The year encourages bravery, not in a reckless sense, but in the form of stepping into one’s own agency and embracing the unknown.

Emotionally, the Fire Horse year is vivid and passionate. Fire heightens the Horse’s expressive nature, creating a climate where feelings run strong and authenticity becomes a priority. People may find themselves less willing to tolerate stagnation, dishonesty, or confinement. Instead, there is a collective desire for freedom – freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom from outdated structures. This can lead to breakthroughs in creativity, personal identity, and relationships, but it can also spark impulsive decisions if not tempered with reflection.

Creativity flourishes under the Fire Horse’s influence. The combination of boldness and imagination makes this an ideal time for launching new projects, experimenting with fresh ideas, or taking leadership roles. The year rewards those who are willing to take risks and express themselves fully. At the same time, the very intensity that fuels innovation can also create challenges.

Fire Horse years are known for volatility: sudden shifts, emotional flareups, and the potential for burnout if energy is not managed wisely. The key is to channel passion into purposeful action rather than scattering it in too many directions. Working with the Fire Horse energy requires a balance of courage and grounding. It is a year that invites movement, but it also demands intention. Those who lean into change with clarity and self-awareness can experience profound growth.

Horses and more to celebrate

If you want to creatively explore how the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse can inspire you, stay present to horses all around you. Cut out pictures of them and make a collage. Find an equine center near you and visit the stables (call and ask first). Watch movies about horses (one of my favorites is The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford). Read stories and poems about horses – there are so many! If you’ve always been interested but never done it, take riding lessons. Take a vacation that involves riding.

If you want to celebrate the Chinese New Year with foods that are said to bring luck in the Year of the Horse, load up your pantry with greens and hearty foods that represent strength, dumplings and oranges that represent prosperity, noodles and fish that represent vitality and longevity, and rice cakes – these represent upward movement! Red foods, red clothes, red flowers, red decorations – these all bring protection and good fortune.

A parting thought for the mares and fillies of The Year of the Horse and those who love them, from the author of The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, Theodora Lau:

“A woman born in the year of the horse likes to arrange all things in perfect order. She is so energetic that she would like to appear in ten different places simultaneously, if that was possible. Her appearance, which may be like a lithe soap bubble, gives people fresh and bright feelings…She will have deep love for tender plants, natural scenery and pleasant sounds. She has unusual methods for entertaining, and her imagination and passion may be aroused by the roar of the waves and rustling of leaves. She will become overjoyed and full of eagerness when she throws herself into nature. If you fall in love with such a woman, remember not to shut her into your own little worlds.”

Happy Year of the Horse! •