Year of the Horse马年 mǎ nián · the seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 7 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 马 mǎ - Horse
- “Year of the Horse”
- 马年 mǎ nián
- Earthly Branch
- 午 wǔ
- Hours of the day
- 11 am – 1 pm
- Yin or yang
- Yang
- Next Horse year
- 2026 (17 February 2026 - 5 February 2027) now
Year of the Horse years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 25 Jan 1906 | 12 Feb 1907 | Fire |
| 1918 | 11 Feb 1918 | 31 Jan 1919 | Earth |
| 1930 | 30 Jan 1930 | 16 Feb 1931 | Metal |
| 1942 | 15 Feb 1942 | 4 Feb 1943 | Water |
| 1954 | 3 Feb 1954 | 23 Jan 1955 | Wood |
| 1966 | 21 Jan 1966 | 8 Feb 1967 | Fire |
| 1978 | 7 Feb 1978 | 27 Jan 1979 | Earth |
| 1990 | 27 Jan 1990 | 14 Feb 1991 | Metal |
| 2002 | 12 Feb 2002 | 31 Jan 2003 | Water |
| 2014 | 31 Jan 2014 | 18 Feb 2015 | Wood |
| 2026 now | 17 Feb 2026 | 5 Feb 2027 | Fire |
| 2038 | 4 Feb 2038 | 23 Jan 2039 | Earth |
| 2050 | 23 Jan 2050 | 10 Feb 2051 | Metal |
How to say Year of the Horse in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Horse personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Horse are traditionally described as lively, independent and warm-hearted, always on the move.
Said to be
- energetic
- independent
- cheerful
- quick
Said to watch out for
- restless
- impatient
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Horse in the Great Race
The Horse was galloping towards sixth place in the Great Race when the Snake slid out from around its leg. The Horse reared in surprise and finished seventh.
The Horse in Chinese culture
2026 is a Fire Horse year, written 丙午 (bǐng wǔ) in the traditional sixty-year cycle. The last one was 1966.
Horses mean speed and success. The word 马上 (mǎshàng), literally “on horseback,” means “right away.” The horse's hours, 午 (wǔ), are the middle of the day, which is why noon is 中午 (zhōngwǔ) and the afternoon is 下午 (xiàwǔ).
Chinese idioms with 马
马到成功
mǎ dào chéng gōng
"success as soon as the horse arrives"
A wish for instant success, popular at the start of a new job or project.
龙马精神
lóng mǎ jīng shén
"the spirit of the dragon and the horse"
Full of energy and vigour; a common New Year wish for older people.
Horse compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Horse?
Recent and coming Years of the Horse are 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038, 2050. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Horse?
It is the Year of the Horse now: from 17 February 2026 to 5 February 2027. The one after that begins on 4 February 2038.
How do you say Year of the Horse in Chinese?
It is 马年 (mǎ nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属马 (wǒ shǔ mǎ).
What is a Fire Horse year?
Each zodiac year also has one of five elements. A Fire Horse year comes once every 60 years: 1906, 1966, 2026 and 2086. In Chinese it is 丙午 (bǐng wǔ).