Horse is the 7th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Snake and before the Goat. Recent years of the Horse include 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, and 1942, with the next Horse year in 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse). It is associated with the earthly branch sign of wu.
According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They’re fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion; they’re decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.
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Chinese Zodiac Years for Horse
The Chinese zodiacs, like many aspects of traditional Chinese culture, are derived from the Chinese lunar calendar, which does not correspond exactly with the Gregorian calendar.
For those born in January or February, pay special attention to when the Chinese New Year begins, as your zodiac animal sign may fall in the previous year’s cycle (see the chart below).
Chart of Years, Dates, and Elements for Horse Zodiac Signs
|
Horse Year |
Lunar Year Start Date |
Lunar Year End Date |
Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1918 |
February 11, 1918 |
January 31, 1919 |
Earth |
|
1930 |
January 30, 1930 |
February 16, 1931 |
Metal |
|
1942 |
February 15, 1942 |
February 4, 1943 |
Water |
|
1954 |
February 3, 1954 |
January 23, 1955 |
Wood |
|
1966 |
January 21, 1966 |
February 8, 1967 |
Fire |
|
1978 |
February 7, 1978 |
January 27, 1979 |
Earth |
|
1990 |
January 27, 1990 |
February 14, 1991 |
Metal |
|
2002 |
February 12, 2002 |
January 31, 2003 |
Water |
|
2014 |
January 31, 2014 |
February 18, 2015 |
Wood |
|
2026 |
February 17, 2026 |
February 5, 2027 |
Fire |
Personality Traits of Horse Signs
Horses are leaders who rarely accept defeat, so they can motivate themselves to put up an active fight in everything they do. This can come off as tenacity, endurance, stubbornness, or even foolhardiness in certain situations.
Once Horse matures and learns to harness this energy, they’ll be unstoppable since they’re agile and shrewd thinkers who innately understand human nature. They’re also principled, so their efforts will be put toward a good cause.
Socially, Horse has an outgoing and agreeable personality. They speak as quickly as they think and act, and they aren’t shy about showing off their talents and capabilities because to be falsely self-effacing wouldn’t be authentic.
Horse Strengths
Horse people possess many talents and strengths. They’re enthusiastic and candid, appearing as a hero to many when they decide to take up a good cause and do battle on behalf of the underprivileged with passion.
They are widely liked for their natural sociability and openness, as well as their courage and passion, which, when coupled with their eloquence and moral uprightness, makes Horses exceptional leaders and social advocates at work and popular in love.
Horse Weaknesses
Horses have a tendency to give up halfway through when their quick passion runs out of steam. It’s not that they fear failure, but they can get bored easily, which applies to work and love.
They can also be vain and self-glorifying, prone to seeking attention and applause. Because of this, they’ll often ignore others’ contributions to their team or family, brewing resentment in those closest to their capricious heart.
Female Horse Signs
Horse women are beautiful and lively, often master flirts who are the life of the party. They’re fashionable and athletic, but their agile mind is as active as their physical presence is on the outside.
They’re devoted to their careers, bringing fresh ideas and fun to even the dullest meeting with their natural energy and grace. Horses’ passion for life is readily visible, making them a pleasure to be around.
Male Horse Signs
Male Horses are naturally independent and unrestrained, often lacking patience when they’re younger, although their courage and self-confidence can be charismatic, and their easy-going temperament, infectious passion, and likeability make them great leaders at work.
In love, Horse men are especially considerate, and the person they love can do no wrong in their adoring eyes. They appear free-spirited, but once they fall in love, these passionate creatures will be tamed.
Horse Zodiacs and the Five Elements Theory
The Chinese Five Elements Theory assigns one of the five elements—Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth—to each year, in addition to the zodiacs. So Horses born in different years will have different personalities.
Metal Horses
Metal Horses are kind-hearted, outspoken, and willing to help others. They dislike advice or criticism from others, so they may be stuck on the wrong idea for too long and end up not accomplishing much.
They’re just as stubborn when it comes to love, as once married, their devotion to their partner and family will prove immovable, with Metal Horses themselves maturing into calm rationality as time goes on..
Water Horses
Water Horses have a self-sacrificial spirit, although they can also be impatient and emotional. They’re thoughtful and suitable for great ambition because they’ll often receive unexpected help from unlikely quarters, especially from the opposite sex.
Although they’re not particularly sexy, Water Horses can easily attract attention with their cheery personality. A relationship with them will require patience from their partner, but once married, they’ll quickly grow into their true potential.
Wood Horses
Wood Horses have a rich imagination and inspired insights. They can read others and make themselves likable, while they also tend to be impatient and overly emotional, and will need to cultivate perseverance and patience.
In love, Wood Horses are popular and will remain so even after they settle down. Extramarital affairs are a real risk with Wood Horses and will likely prove detrimental to the stability of their life.
Fire Horses
Fire Horses are lively, passionate, and unrestrained by nature. They’re leaders who can become headstrong, well-intentioned helpers who can become condescending, and ardent lovers who can become overbearing—in summary; they’re too much of everything!
But that’s also why Fire Horses will be blessed with wealth since they tend to work very hard, have great love affairs that seem destined for the book pages, and be remembered for their generosity and vitality.
Earth Horses
Earth Horses are optimistic and kind-hearted souls who are dedicated to their friends. They’ll never feel lonely in life, and in return, they’ll be blessed with many friends who will love them for their giving spirit.
Earth Horses will have ample fortune in wealth and money, but they’re advised to save. In love, they’ll appear less attractive, but once their dense exterior is penetrated, their partner will discover a passionate lover.
Lucky (and Unlucky) Things for Horses
Horse’s luck is associated with 2 and 7, southeast, and the colors of red, pink, and purple. They should avoid black and blue colors, 1 and 6, north and northwest, and keeping any pet rodents.
In Chinese culture, your Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac birth year, is also considered unlucky, and in order to ward off any misfortune, you should wear red colors.
Lucky Things
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Lucky numbers: 2, 7
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Lucky colors: Red, Pink, Purple
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Lucky directions: Southeast
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Lucky flowers: Iris, Jasmine, Calla Lily
Unlucky Things
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Unlucky numbers: 1, 6
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Unlucky colors: Black, Blue
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Unlucky directions: Northwest
Love and Compatibility for Horses
Horses are energetic, lively, and generous, so they will be popular with the opposite sex. When it comes to love compatibility, their hot temper and stubborn nature mean they tend to gravitate towards romantic partners who are more easygoing and gentle.
They prefer to take the assertive role and enjoy the pursuit and eventual conquest of the object of their affection. Horses need freedom, so if their partner is needy or clingy, Horses may feel stifled.
❤️ Best Match: Horse and Tiger
Tigers may represent characteristics that Horses dislike about themselves— they’re temperamental, hot-headed, and often cocky. But in fact, they bring out the best in each other and allow the other to grow out of their worst.
It’s as if both Tiger and Horse finally have someone who can keep up with their own breakneck speed, which can be thrilling to Horse, who would have gotten bored with a less charismatic partner.
Female Horse and Male Tiger
This is a surprisingly good match because Tiger can provide domestic intimacy and calmness for Horse, making it easy for Horse to mature into a good wife and mother in addition to their career ambition.
They’re an energetic and hardworking pair, working together to create a beautiful atmosphere at home. Although both can be temperamental, it seems Tiger and Horse understand each other well enough, which will prevent most disagreements.
Male Horse and Female Tiger
Although Horses tend to prefer mellower zodiac signs, with Tiger, they’re willing to make an exception because these two signs have a lot in common —seemingly, birds of the same feather end up flocking together!.
Both Tiger and Horse are energetic and ambitious, so if they find a common goal or cause, they will prove unstoppable. In each other’s company, they’ll revel in the joy of being in true communion.
❤️ Best Match: Horse and Dog
Dog is practically Horse’s dream come true when it comes to romance since this spirited and high-strung zodiac has always dreamed of a mellower partner who can give them a respite from their own passionate nature.
In return, Horse will take on the leadership role in the relationship—as they naturally prefer—and give their more homely partner a sense of direction and movement in life, exactly what Dog wants, too.
Female Horse and Male Dog
There isn’t anyone more loyal than Dog, which Horse loves in her man. This couple will support each other while intuitively leaving enough personal space for their faithful partner, giving them the space to grow.
Neither will be excessively critical since both are genuinely impressed by their partner’s sincerity and ability to communicate. Horse will find Dog to be a mature partner, often giving her a new perspective in life.
Male Horse and Female Dog
This pair is likely to grow old together because they’re both generous and cheerful and full of vitality and love for life. They’ll start a family and build a home life that’s never short of joy.
Horse is intelligent and insightful, while Dog is sincere and forgiving—a quality he’ll need. In return, Horse will value Dog’s loyalty and show her the love she’ll need to flourish in her own right.
❤️ Best Match: Horse and Goat
Who else can better soothe the passionate Horse when they’re riled up than the gentle and mild Goat? A few well-chosen words and a knowing touch from their better half, and Horse will magically settle down.
Many misunderstand Goat to be ambition-less, but not Horse. They know their Goat to be as hardworking—or even stubborn—as themselves when it comes to something they care about, which Horse respects and adores.
Female Horse and Male Goat
This is a union with an easygoing heart-to-heart connection since Goat is generally sentimental, kind, and family-oriented, while Horse is cheerful and independent. Together, these two are destined for a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment.
Goat won’t hesitate to take the reins in making sure they stay intimate and close emotionally, which gives Horse a sense of a happy family while allowing them a wide berth for their independent nature.
Male Horse and Female Goat
This couple will fall in love and get married before long because neither will find a better match. Although Horse is fiery while Goat is mild, they share the same goals and values in life.
Once they marry, this pair will spur each other on to reach their true potential because they can compensate for each other’s weaknesses while greatly appreciating their strengths. A warm and joyous union is assured.
Worst Matches: Rat, Ox
Horse and Rat: Horse and Rat cannot seem to stay together for long, even if the relationship started as a loving union, because while they are agreeable and well-liked, they’re also both too headstrong to make any concessions.
Horse is demanding and asks Rat to give in to their needs, while Rat will react by ignoring Horse. This leads to frequent conflicts that neither will bother to resolve, making theirs a difficult match.
Horse and Ox: Horse and Ox find their way to each other and may start a relationship, but soon conflicts and disputes arrive, and neither can remember why they were drawn to the other in the first place.
Horse loves freedom, which makes Ox feel insecure, while Ox’s stability and steadiness bore Horse. What started quickly as a passionate love affair is more likely to result in a bitter breakup rather than a happy marriage.
Careers Fit for the Chinese Zodiac Horse
Horses are creative and enthusiastic individuals with seemingly inexhaustible natural abilities that make them highly sought-after. They are changeable creatures, however, and not known for their tenacity over the long haul, especially in thankless behind-the-scenes jobs.
Instead, this charismatic zodiac is best suited for leadership positions or something that garners them praise and recognition for the excellent work into which they pour all their passion in the moment—before they move on.
Horses won’t have money issues, although just like their professional fortunes, their wealth will fluctuate a great deal. But that works just fine for Horses since they rarely feel anxious about anything except possibly, boredom.
Best careers for Horses
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Architect
-
Business Executive
-
Entertainer
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Entrepreneur
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Travel Vlogger
Worst careers for Horses
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Investor
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Data Analyst
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Executive Assistant
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Research Scientist
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Government Official
Health and Lifestyle Advice for Horses
Horse is often powerfully built and full of life, which makes them appear invincible, but that’s not usually the case. Instead, their constant activity means Horses are often strained, body and mind, and illness and injury prone.
Their nervous digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems are especially prone to attacks, so Horses are advised to take it easy when they can and keep an eye on their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Horse and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)
Chinese culture has an origin story that explains why the 12 zodiacs are represented by these 12 animals, and in this order. Horse is 7th of the zodiacs because that’s its place in the celestial race.
The race was organized by the Jade Emperor, who ruled over the heavens in Chinese legend. By his imperial decree, the first 12 animals that made it across the river would receive this eternal honor.
Horse was a crowd favorite, but because it was dawdling for the onlookers’ adoration and fanfare at the starting line, Horse didn’t start the race until it was too late to win the way everyone expected. However, it still beat the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig to the finish line.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Horse
Horses are some of the most passionate and charismatic leaders, performers, and activists the world has ever seen. Here’s a list of famous Horses:
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Joe Biden: November 20, 1942, Water Horse
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Mike Tyson: June 30, 1966, Fire Horse
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Jackie Chan: April 7, 1954, Wood Horse
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Kobe Bryant: August 23, 1978, Earth Horse
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Emma Watson: April 15, 1990, Metal Horse
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Clint Eastwood: May 31, 1930, Metal Horse
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Greta Thunberg: January 3, 2003, Water Horse
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Cindy Crawford: February 20, 1966, Fire Horse
Horse’s Horoscope for 2024 (Year of the Dragon)
Horses will have excellent luck in 2024 because it’s the year of the Dragon, and Dragon and Horse are so harmonious that there’s a Chinese phrase that means “dragon and horse spirit” for describing an upbeat life.
In this year, Horses can look forward to career success, romantic fruition, and lots of accumulated wealth. But don’t take any of that for granted, Horse, since 2025 won’t be stellar, and 2026 will be downright terrible!
Horse’s 2024 Love and Relationships Forecast
Horse’s love life in 2024 will be nothing short of incredible. Since you thrive on excitement, Horse, you should already know that won’t entail a calm and peaceful period—but a fresh sense of adventure.
Single Horses might just have whiplash for how many potential love interests are set to enter their life—and they’re all quite eligible, too. Don’t let that go to your head, Horse; choose with discernment.
Horses who’re paired off can expect a whole slew of exciting developments that make them feel as if they’re falling in love all over again. Moving in? Wedding bells? New Baby? Anything’s possible in 2024!
Career Prospects for Horse in 2024
The year 2024 will bring many professional breakthroughs to Horse, especially those who were stagnating or even feeling hopeless in their career in previous years. Rest assured that this won’t be the case anymore.
It’s celestial luck on your side, Horse, but it’s also your hard work from before—do pat yourself on the back. What that means is don’t slack in 2024 because you’re building great momentum.
A promotion and raise are the least you can expect, Horse. In fact, with your leadership skills and personal charisma, you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re suddenly tapped for an ultra-exclusive new company or project!
Horse’s Wealth and Finance in 2024
With the inevitable promotion and the big bonus at the end of the year, 2024 spells increased wealth before it has even started. That’s fortunate because 2023 will have been tough on Horse’s financial situation.
But in 2024, on top of the income, Horses can look forward to minor lottery winnings, stock dividends, or even a return from a languishing investment. In any case, they should see their lifestyle greatly improved.
We know you’re not one to squirrel much savings away, Horse, but we’ve also already warned you that 2025 and 2026 won’t be so breezy, so think twice before any lavish purchases, if you’ll please.
Health Predictions for Horses in 2024
Health isn’t usually Horses’ top consideration, but thankfully in 2024, it won’t be creating much trouble for them anyway. It’s as if Horses are blossoming this year, which will be reflected in their blooming health.
You’re larger than life, Horse, but that doesn’t mean you stand above what everyone needs in order to function—nourishing food, ample rest, and not too much stress are what the doctor prescribes for you in 2024.
While health problems and illnesses aren’t a concern, be wary of accidents stemming from carelessness. A swelling bank account can’t be enjoyed from a hospital bed, Horse, and not even you can live life to the fullest there!