Year of the Horse
The Horse is sign number 7 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Horse year are traditionally described as energetic, independent, warm and freedom-loving. Its fixed element is Fire, and each Horse year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Horse
| Lucky numbers | 2, 3, 7 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Yellow, Green |
| Lucky directions | East, West, South |
| Less favourable numbers | 1, 5, 6 |
| Less favourable colors | Blue, White |
| Less favourable directions | North, Northwest |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Tiger, Dog |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Goat |
| Clash (六冲) | Rat |
| Harm (六害) | Ox |
| Punishment (刑) | Self-punishment (Horse with Horse) |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Horse years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | Earth Horse | Feb 11, 1918 – Jan 31, 1919 |
| 1930 | Metal Horse | Jan 30, 1930 – Feb 16, 1931 |
| 1942 | Water Horse | Feb 15, 1942 – Feb 4, 1943 |
| 1954 | Wood Horse | Feb 3, 1954 – Jan 23, 1955 |
| 1966 | Fire Horse | Jan 21, 1966 – Feb 8, 1967 |
| 1978 | Earth Horse | Feb 7, 1978 – Jan 27, 1979 |
| 1990 | Metal Horse | Jan 27, 1990 – Feb 14, 1991 |
| 2002 | Water Horse | Feb 12, 2002 – Jan 31, 2003 |
| 2014 | Wood Horse | Jan 31, 2014 – Feb 18, 2015 |
| 2026 | Fire Horse | Feb 17, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027 |
| 2038 | Earth Horse | Feb 4, 2038 – Jan 23, 2039 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Horse?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Horse the lucky numbers 2, 3, 7 and the less favourable numbers 1, 5, 6.
What colors are lucky for the Horse?
Lucky colors for the Horse are Yellow, Green; less favourable colors are Blue, White.
Which signs are most compatible with the Horse?
The Horse forms a harmonious trine with the Tiger, Dog and a “secret friend” pair with the Goat. Its classical clash is with the Rat.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.