How zodiac horse carries new hopes, boosts creativity in China

As China welcomes the Year of the Horse, the zodiac animal is taking on fresh forms and meanings in New Year celebrations, bridging ancient symbolism with modern creativity, humor and even a touch of whimsy.

At the start of 2026, a "crying horse" toy first caught the public's attention as a factory mistake but quickly went viral online. Many saw its sad face as a humorous yet relatable portrayal of people's expression at work, turning a mistake into an unlikely bestseller ahead of New Year celebrations.

Also, a small polymer clay horse, named Ma Biaobiao, at the Shandong Art Museum captivated netizens, not for its sorrow, but for its hair. The horse's wind-swept, unrestrained mane was inspired by a work by renowned Chinese ink painting master Qi Baishi. Owners of the toy can style its mane freely, becoming the "hairstylist" of their own miniature steed.

In traditional Chinese culture, the horse has long been revered as a symbol of vitality, success and noble character. It embodies endurance, loyalty and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The horse's dynamic spirit is captured in idioms, such as ma dao cheng gong (success arrives with the horse).

In ancient art and legend, horses often accompany heroes and scholars, representing both physical strength and intellectual grace. As one of the zodiac animals, the horse continues to symbolize enthusiasm, freedom and an unwavering drive, qualities that have made it a timeless icon of prosperity and positive energy in Chinese philosophy and folklore.

In celebration of the Year of the Horse, creative horse-themed products are appearing in various forms, adorning scarves, plates, cups, red envelopes, posters and more. Meanwhile, Chinese youth have humorously reinvented the horse's symbolism through puns and internet slang. 

The phrase ma shang (on a horse), which means immediately, has sparked a wave of clever wordplay. Wishes like ma shang you qian (may wealth come immediately) and ma shang you dui xiang (may love arrive soon) are often paired with images of toy horses or shared as memes. These expressions blend traditional imagery with contemporary aspirations, such as career success, romantic partnership and social mobility, all wrapped in a lighthearted cultural inside joke.

Horses are also making a difference in traditional crafts. In Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, visitors to the intangible cultural heritage fair had the chance to try their hand at making Foshan woodblock New Year prints. This celebrated folk art carries a legacy spanning more than seven centuries. In 2006, it was inscribed into the first batch of China's national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Liu Zhongping, a city-level representative inheritor of the craft, explained that this year's newly designed door gods are all depicted riding horses, a tribute to the approaching Year of the Horse. From a distance, each print forms the shape of the Chinese character fu, symbolizing good fortune. 

"Through continuous innovation in artistic expression, we aim to breathe new life into this centuries-old national craft, ensuring its vitality for generations to come," Liu said.

Creative activities centered around the zodiac horse are also boosting tourism. In Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, visitors to the City Wall Scenic Area can explore a dazzling array of lantern displays about themes of national treasures, Tang Dynasty poetry and the culture of the zodiac horse.

The "Galloping Zodiac Horse" lantern show features 39 distinct horse motifs drawn from cultural relics and paintings across different dynasties. Through artistic reinterpretation, the exhibition captures the spirit and style of horses through the ages. 

The lantern show opened on January 1, 2026, and will run through March 22, spanning New Year's Day, the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival. Over 81 days, it offers tourists a spectacular fusion of light, color and cultural heritage to ring in the new year.