12 animal names, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig, known as the Animals of the Chinese Zodiac, are used as the names for the Chinese New Years. People are assigned the animal name of their Chinese year of birth as their Chinese zodiac sign.
Chinese astrology holds that a typical person born under each sign of the Chinese zodiac has a set of positive and negative characteristics and character traits. These characteristics and character traits may not fully apply to every person born under that sign.
Chinese astrology also holds that the five Chinese elements, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth, affect these character traits.
Horse Characteristics
People born in the Year of the Horse often have contradictory traits. They can be cool or hot-blooded, hard-nosed or humble, and impatient or extraordinarily tolerant.
Horses tend to be defined by hard work and self-reliance, they have high levels of energy and concentration, and are happy to be engrossed accomplishing any task. They usually work well in teams, but they prefer to work alone.
Horses are normally cheerful and charismatic in social settings, but often leave first as they start to feel penned in. Horses typically prefer events in the open, such as outdoor gatherings or concerts.
Most Horses have a strong need for intimacy and a sense of belonging in their relationships. They often find fulfilling family obligations difficult, as they have powerful and rebellious natures.
Horses often love to travel, and will jet off to distance lands at short notice. These Horses make good adventurers and travel writers, poets, and politicians.
Horse Character Traits
People born in the Year of the Horse tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile—mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded
- Negative traits: fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, stubborn
Influence of Western Zodiac Signs on Horses
Read about how the characteristics and character traits of people born in the Year of the Horse are influenced by the Western Zodiac Sign under which they are born.
Birthstone: Garnet
Each Chinese zodiac sign has an associated birthstone, that is intended to support the strengths of the zodiac sign, and to compensate for its weaknesses.
The topaz is the birthstone for people born in the Year of the Horse. Topaz is associated with courage, confidence, creativity, relaxation, and security. Topaz gem stones with no impurities are clear, but with impurities they can be blue, brown, orange, gray, yellow, green, and pink.
Precious Flower: Narcissus
Each Chinese zodiac sign has an associated precious flower, which have a special meaning in Chinese culture.
The rose is the precious flower for people born in the Year of the Horse. The rose is strongly linked with Guan, the Chinese god of earth, and is a symbol of love and beauty. Rose oil is sued to make rose water, which is used in Chinese recipes and at Chinese ceremonies. A variety of rose that grows in China, called the Chinese Rose, blooms repeatedly during the year.
Dates for Year of the Horse
The Year of the Horse is the seventh animal in the cycle of 12. It last occurred in 2002, and will occur again in 2014.
Compatibility of Horses with other Signs of the Chinese Zodiac
Chinese astrology uses the character traits associated with each zodiac sign to determine if two people are compatible. Followers of Chinese astrology consider this compatibility before commencing a business or personal relationship.
Typically, Horses are compatible with Tigers and Dogs, but are incompatible with Rats.
Horse Horoscope for 2012
Chinese astrological horoscopes typically make a forecast for the next Chinese Year in general, and for those born under each Chinese zodiac sign in greater detail. For more information, see Chinese Astrology – Horoscope for 2012 Year of the Dragon.
Sources:
Chinese Astrology - Zodiac Signs
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, Theodora Lau, published by Souvenir Press, New York, 2005
Chinese Horoscopes - The Horse
Lucky Chinese Horoscope Gem Stones
Chinese Astrology and Precious Flowers
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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