Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Horse
Wu (午), the 7th of the 12 Earthly Branches.
Quick Answer
People born in the Year of the Horse include those born in 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 and 2038, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The Year of the Fire Horse (丙午, Bing Wu) runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. The Horse is free-spirited, energetic, warm and outspoken.
Years of the Horse
Each year starts at Lunar New Year. If your birthday falls before the start date, you belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Sexagenary Name | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 Metal Horse | Geng Wu (庚午) | ||
| 1942 Water Horse | Ren Wu (壬午) | ||
| 1954 Wood Horse | Jia Wu (甲午) | ||
| 1966 Fire Horse | Bing Wu (丙午) | ||
| 1978 Earth Horse | Wu Wu (戊午) | ||
| 1990 Metal Horse | Geng Wu (庚午) | ||
| 2002 Water Horse | Ren Wu (壬午) | ||
| 2014 Wood Horse | Jia Wu (甲午) | ||
| 2026 Fire Horse | Bing Wu (丙午) | ||
| 2038 Earth Horse | Wu Wu (戊午) | ||
| 2050 Metal Horse | Geng Wu (庚午) |
Every Horse year from 1900 to 2100 is in the full table.
Horse Personality
The Horse is associated with movement, independence and an open, sociable energy. It thrives on freedom and new horizons, and it can be restless, impatient or quick to drop what no longer excites it.
Strengths: Energy, warmth, independence, enthusiasm. Challenges: Restlessness, impatience, inconsistency.
The year element adds its own color: a Fire Horse is more outgoing and a Water Horse more reflective. Find your element by birth year in the table above.
The Horse in the Year of the Fire Horse
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Horse is in its own birth year (Ben Ming Nian) and punishes Tai Sui, so tradition counts it among the signs in conflict with Tai Sui this year.
Horse Compatibility
The Horse's best matches are the Goat, Tiger and Dog (Six Harmonies with the Goat, the Fire trine with the Tiger and Dog). Its classical clash is with the Rat.
| Sign | Relationship | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Goat | Six Harmonies (Liu He) | The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive. |
| Tiger | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Dog | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Dragon | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Snake | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Monkey | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rooster | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Pig | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rabbit | Break (Liu Po) | Minor friction that can disrupt plans. |
| Ox | Harm (Liu Hai) | Subtle misunderstandings that need patience. |
| Rat | Clash (Liu Chong) | Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference. |
Are You a Horse?
Check a birthday against the exact Lunar New Year date.
The Other Animals
Questions About the Horse
What Years Are the Year of the Horse?
People born in the Year of the Horse include those born in 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 and 2038, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The Year of the Fire Horse (丙午, Bing Wu) runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. The Horse is free-spirited, energetic, warm and outspoken.
What Is the Horse Personality in the Chinese Zodiac?
The Horse is associated with movement, independence and an open, sociable energy. It thrives on freedom and new horizons, and it can be restless, impatient or quick to drop what no longer excites it. Strengths: Energy, warmth, independence, enthusiasm. Challenges: Restlessness, impatience, inconsistency.
Who Is the Horse Most Compatible With?
The Horse's best matches are the Goat, Tiger and Dog (Six Harmonies with the Goat, the Fire trine with the Tiger and Dog). Its classical clash is with the Rat.
Is the Horse in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Horse is in its own birth year (Ben Ming Nian) and punishes Tai Sui, so tradition counts it among the signs in conflict with Tai Sui this year.
I Was Born in January or February. Am I a Horse?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
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