Dragon-Horses and Other Horse Culture for the Year of the Horse

The current year, 2026, roughly corresponds to the Year of the Horse in the twelve-animal Chinese zodiac. But what does that mean? Let’s look at some of the rich culture surrounding horses in the 5,000-year-wide vault of Chinese civilization. 

The horse sign symbolizes energetic hardwork and noble leadership qualities on one hand and on the other hand wildness, over-independence, and impatience. Therefore, the horse must be virtuous to put its positive qualities to good use. Confucius once said in The Analects: “A fine horse is praised not for its strength, but for its virtue.” This means that a steed may travel a hundred miles in a day, yet if he abandons you in battle then it doesn’t matter.

Horses are also associated with dragon-horses in China. A historical record from the Han Dynasty records: “The dragon-horse is the essence of Heaven and Earth. Its body is that of a horse with dragon scales, hence it is called dragon-horse.” 

The Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who was journeying West to India for scriptures, encountered the dragon-horse when he stopped in the village of K’iu-chi, according to his own written historical record. Locals said dragons shapeshifted into horses and mated with mares. The offspring were wild dragon-horses. One of the local kings was able to tame a dragon-horse. When the king wished to disappear, he touched the ears of the dragon-horses with his whip and they became immediately invisible. 

Interestingly, Poseidon, the Greek sea god, is also associated with horses, while in Chinese mythology, dragons govern water—an intriguing coincidence.

In the ancient Book of Changes (I Ching), the Eight Trigrams are used to explain the entire universe and changes that come about in human society. One of the trigrams, qian (shaped like this: ☰), represents Heaven and also represents the horse. This gives the horse an honored place in Chinese cosmology.    

One famous idiom involving horses is “An old horse knows the way,” which comes from the Spring and Autumn period. At this time, Duke Huan of Qi pursued his enemies but got lost in a confusing valley. His advisor Guan Zhong remembered that old horses knew the way and suggested using them as guides. Duke Huan selected several old horses to lead the way, with the army following behind. Calmly, the old horses led them out of the valley. Hence, people use “An old horse knows the way” to describe someone experienced and wise.

The term “Thousand-Mile Horse” was used to symbolize someone with extraordinary talent. During the Spring and Autumn period, a man named Bo Le was so skilled at judging and training horses that his name has become synonymous with discovering and nurturing talent. Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu wrote in his poem “On Horses”: “Only when there is Bole can there be a Thousand-Mile Horse.” 

The tradition continues into 2026 with the Year of the Horse. As the year gallops forward, may we all be inspired to charge forward in a positive direction and work hard. Shen Yun Collections wishes you good fortune and blessings in the Year of the Horse, with growth in wisdom and virtue.