Horse paintings, sculptures, paper cuttings, and prints have always been extremely popular in Chinese decorative art, and especially ubiquitous in a Year of the Horse. In Chinese astrology, each Year of the Horse denotes persistence, hard work, leadership, openness, and vitality. This year, the intertwining of the horse sign with the elemental force of fire means that when the Chinese New Year starts on February 17, 2026, it will be, for the first time since 1966, the Year of the Fire Horse. This special combination occurs once in 60 years, and it is associated with breakthroughs (as in “horse leaps”), innovations, and sweeping changes. Sometimes, rapid changes might not be so positive; the last time the Fire Horse occurred, it brought the start of the Cultural Revolution in China. Let’s hope that this time the Fire Horse will bring renewed energy and fiery creativity rather than tumultuous times.

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