By PU Ruoyi
As a child growing up in China, I always looked forward to Chinese New Year. Not only because of the festivities, but especially because of the stories behind them. Each animal of the zodiac felt like a character in a grand epic, carrying lessons that lingered long after the fireworks had faded.
Now that I have been connecting cultures through language for many years, I keep returning to those stories. Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and ushers in the Year of the Horse. A perfect moment to reflect on the meaning of this animal and what we can learn from it.
What is the Chinese horoscope?
The Chinese horoscope differs greatly from Western astrology. Instead of monthly zodiac signs, it works with a cycle of twelve animals, with each animal ruling one year. This cycle repeats every twelve years. The twelve animals in the Chinese horoscope are:
In addition to the animal, the element also plays a role. Each year is linked to wood, fire, earth, metal, or water. In 2026, it is the Fire Horse, which places extra emphasis on passion, dynamism, and decisiveness.
The meaning of the Year of the Horse in Chinese astrology
In Chinese astrology, the horse is seen as a freedom-loving, energetic, and social animal. It is known as a natural leader with contagious enthusiasm that motivates others to get moving.
Traits of the horse
- Freedom and independence
- High energy and zest for life
- Strong communication skills
- A love of adventure and new experiences
- Optimism and confidence
At the same time, the horse can also be impatient, impulsive, and restless. In a year governed by this sign, the key theme is finding balance between action and reflection.
The character of the horse in the Chinese language
In Chinese, the horse, 马 (mǎ), is much more than an animal from the horoscope. The character 馬 or 马 originated from ancient drawings of a horse in motion. The flowing mane and sturdy legs are still recognizable even in the modern form.
This beautifully illustrates how Chinese characters work. They represent not only sounds, but also history, imagery, and meaning
In Chinese lessons, we consciously look at this origin. This makes learning not only more effective, but also richer in content.
The Year of the Horse explained through Chinese idioms
Another way the horse comes to life is through idioms. These fixed expressions, usually consisting of four characters, convey cultural values and life wisdom.
马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) means “success comes as soon as the horse charges forward.” It is an encouraging wish, often used to wish someone immediate success in a new beginning.
龙马精神 (lóng mǎ jīng shén), “the spirit of the dragon and the horse,” stands for tireless energy, resilience, and unwavering drive.
Anyone who learns to speak and write Chinese quickly notices that idioms are essential for natural language use.
Chinese New Year: tradition, language, and modern wordplay
Language continues to evolve. During Chinese New Year, you often see red envelopes or digital stickers showing a horse loaded with gold, accompanied by the phrase “马上有钱” (mǎ shàng yǒu qián). This means “money comes immediately.”
The word 马上 means immediately or right away and literally contains the character 马, horse. This creates a clever pun that connects tradition and modernity. That is precisely what makes the Chinese language so vibrant.
What the “Year of the Horse” symbolizes in Chinese culture
The many expressions and images surrounding the horse show how the animal symbolizes vitality, speed, and noble dedication. Language serves here as a gateway to culture, something I often see reflected in my work with students around the world.
The horse also invites intercultural reflection. In Western stories, it often represents freedom and adventure. In Chinese tradition, the emphasis is also on loyalty, cooperation, and purposeful progress. Think of the horses of the Silk Road, which carried not only goods, but also ideas.
Chinese New Year 2026. What can the “Year of the Horse” bring you?
If the “Year of the Horse” speaks to you, this is a good moment to reflect. Perhaps it is time to pick up speed on a project that has been left behind. Or to work together with confidence and move forward step by step, even if the path is not yet entirely clear.
Good resolutions? Learn the Chinese language!
Chinese New Year is the perfect moment to take new steps. Those who learn Chinese do not just learn a language, but gain access to an entire culture full of stories, symbolism, and ways of thinking that would otherwise remain hidden.
The “Year of the Horse” stands for movement, growth, and progress. This makes it the ideal time to start learning Chinese or to take the next step in your language development.
Do you want to invest consciously in yourself this year, professionally or personally? Then now is the time to take action.
Here’s to a year full of courage, progress, and meaningful journeys. 祝您新年快乐！Happy New year!