The Horse: free-spirited, warm and lively

The story of the Horse

The Horse galloped towards the finish of the Great Race and was about to come sixth, until the Snake slid out from its hoof and startled it. The Horse came seventh, still running, still cheerful.

Personality

Horses are lively, warm and adventurous. They love movement, travel, conversation and new experiences, and their enthusiasm is infectious. They are honest and open, and they usually wear their heart on their sleeve.

In love

In love, the Horse is affectionate and fun, but needs space as much as closeness. The ideal partner is someone who joins in the adventure and does not mind when the Horse gallops off now and then.

At work

Horses are happiest on the move: travel, sport, sales, media, events and anything with variety and people. A desk job with no change of scene can feel like a stable door locked shut.

Something to watch

The Horse can grow restless and lose interest once the excitement fades. Learning to stay with something through the dull middle part is how the Horse wins the long race.

Friends, secret friend and clash

Friend group: the Horse shares its sunflower yellow colour on the wheel with the Tiger and the Dog. Together they are the Protectors, and they understand each other easily.
Secret friend: the Goat. This quiet, loyal bond is shown by a matching jewel on the inner ring.
Clash: the Rat, directly opposite on the wheel. The two pull in opposite directions, which can mean friction, or real growth if both are willing to learn.

You can read more in Friend groups, secret friends and clashes.

Element and season

The Horse’s own fixed element is Fire, and it is a Yang sign. It belongs to summer on the wheel. Every Horse year also carries a year element, which changes in a ten-year cycle, so a Fire Horse and a Water Horse share the same heart but show it differently. See The five elements for how the elements work.

Lucky things

Traditionally, the Horse’s lucky numbers are 2, 3 and 7, its lucky colours are yellow and green, and its lucky flowers are calla lily and jasmine.

2026: the Fire Horse

The year that began on 17 February 2026 is a Fire Horse year, which comes round only once every 60 years. Fire doubles the Horse’s natural energy, so the year is traditionally fast, bold and full of change. For Horses themselves it is their Ben Ming Nian, their own animal’s year, a time to move with care and wear a little red for luck.

Horse years

Your animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February, check the dates below carefully: you may belong to the animal before.

Year	Starts	Ends
Metal Horse	30 January 1930	16 February 1931
Water Horse	15 February 1942	4 February 1943
Wood Horse	3 February 1954	23 January 1955
Fire Horse	21 January 1966	8 February 1967
Earth Horse	7 February 1978	27 January 1979
Metal Horse	27 January 1990	14 February 1991
Water Horse	12 February 2002	31 January 2003
Wood Horse	31 January 2014	18 February 2015
Fire Horse	17 February 2026	5 February 2027