Galloping forward into the seventh place of the Chinese zodiac is the free-spirited and elegant Horse. Unfortunately, during the Jade Emperor’s great race to determine the animals of the zodiac, the Horse was cheated! As it headed towards the finish line, the Snake emerged from where it had been hiding under its hoof and terrified it, causing it to lurch back and allowing the Snake to slither into sixth place. For this reason, horses will always stomp on snakes when they see them!
Years of the Horse
If you were born in the year 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, or 2026 then you belong to the sign of the Horse. It’s important to note that the Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins in late-January or early-February. For example, Chinese New Year fell on January 21st in 1966, so anyone born before that date actually belongs to the Year of the Snake and not the Year of the Horse. In short, you’ve just become your own worst enemy!
Lucky Signs and Symbols
Those born in the Year of the Horse should take note of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. Two, three, and seven are sure to bring you good fortune, but one, five, and six are to be avoided at all costs! Green and yellow are your lucky colours, while disaster comes in the form of blue and white.
Characteristics of the Horse
With their boundless energy and thirst for adventure, Horse people are said to be lively, humorous, sociable, warm-hearted, easy-going, generous, and fiercely independent. Their optimistic attitude and witty repartee means they attract friends with ease, and their strength of character allows them to effortlessly overcome difficulties. Whether it’s at concerts, performances, meetings, sporting events, or parties, Horses love to be part of the crowd.
Unfortunately, the Horse’s positive attributes are the direct source of their weaknesses. With all the social activities they engage in, Horse people are prone to spending far too much money and can quickly find themselves in debt if they don’t manage their finances carefully. Their openness means that they are terrible at keeping secrets, and their superficial wit belies a general dearth of concrete knowledge. While they may come across as self-centred, their lack of academic intelligence means their self-confidence can actually be quite low.
Romantic Compatibility
Romantically speaking, the Horse should look to the Tiger or the Sheep for a lasting relationship, although they can forge a pleasant relationship with the Pig. Matches with the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Monkey, and the Dog will be distinctly average, while they’re better off being just friends with the Snake. When it comes to love, they should avoid the Rat, the Ox, the Rooster, and other Horses at all costs.
Job Prospects
With their excellent communication skills and desire to work as part of a team, people born in the Year of the Horse are well-suited to careers in publication, performance, journalism, sales, translation, hospitality, management, and tourism.
How to Manage Your Relationship with the Horse
Those born under the sign of the Horse are well-known for their amicable and easy-going disposition, meaning they are extremely comfortable in social situations and are able to instantly put people at ease. Their quick wit and great sense of humour mean they are popular at large social gatherings and often have a wide circle of friends. In short, forging a friendship with the Horse couldn’t be easier!
The Elemental Cycle
As we mentioned in our introductory article, the 12-year animal cycle is part of a much wider 60-year elemental cycle, meaning that each year of the zodiac is also assigned an element. People born in 1954 or 2014 belong to the Year of the Wood Horse, meaning they are predisposed to be irritable and moody, but make up for it with their active imagination and unparalleled insight. The Fire Horses, who were born in 1966 or 2026, are known for being especially lively, smart, charismatic, and enthusiastic, although their stubbornness can be off-putting.
Anyone born in 1978 is an Earth Horse, meaning that, in spite of their short-tempered nature, they are optimistic, kind-hearted, responsible, righteous, and always ready to help others. Those born in 1930 or 1990 are Metal Horses, who are kind, straightforward, calm, rational, and particularly popular among their friends. Finally, the Water Horses of 1942 and 2002 have a reliable, helpful, and amicable disposition with a capacity to skilfully charm the opposite sex, although they can be prone to sentimentality and cantankerousness.
So remember, don’t look a gift Horse in the mouth, because they’re bound to have a witty comeback!