Key facts
- Animal: Horse
- Element: Fire. Fire adds passion, confidence and drive, along with a tendency toward impatience.
- Polarity: Yang
- Chinese name: Bing-wu (stem and branch)
- Chinese New Year: February 17, 2026
- Previous Fire Horse years: 1966, 1906
The Fire Horse
Fire Horse years come once every 60 years. In Japan the 1966 Fire Horse year (hinoeuma) was surrounded by a superstition about women born in it, and births in Japan dropped by roughly a quarter that year. In Chinese tradition the Fire Horse is linked with energy, independence and bold action.
What the year means for each sign
- Horse (born 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978): this is your own year, called ben ming nian. Tradition says it brings change and some turbulence, and many people wear red for protection.
- Goat: the Horse’s secret friend, traditionally a supportive year.
- Tiger and Dog: natural allies of the Horse, also considered favorable.
- Rat: the sign that clashes with the Horse, so tradition advises extra care with big decisions.
Find your sign with the Chinese zodiac calculator.
Babies born in 2026
Children born between February 17, 2026 and February 5, 2027 are Fire Horses. Babies born in 2026 before February 17, 2026 belong to the previous sign, the Wood Snake.