The year 2026 is Byeong-o year (丙午年), the Year of the Horse—specifically the "Red Horse." The combination of red fire energy and the horse's life force is expected to bring auspicious times. However, since horses have traditionally been used for riding or pulling goods, individual fortunes may depend on how well one harnesses this energy.
According to the Korean Folk Symbol Dictionary (Horse Edition) published by the National Folk Museum of Korea under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, horses have been among the closest and most essential animals to human life since ancient times. They were not only companions in life but were also believed to travel between heaven and earth, and between the worlds of the living and the dead. Furthermore, horses symbolized vitality, loyalty and wisdom. The image of a galloping horse represented human dreams, challenges and unwavering determination to advance toward the future.
Koreans were originally an equestrian people. Horses appear throughout early Korean history as mystical creatures heralding the emergence of founding ancestors and as mediators connecting heaven and earth. The "superhuman riding a white horse" that poet Yi Yuk-sa awaited in his poem "The Wilderness" can be said to represent the Korean people themselves.
In the myth of King Geumwa of Eastern Buyeo, "the horse arrived at a great pond and shed tears facing a large stone. When the stone was lifted, there was a child in the shape of a golden frog." Here, the horse announces the birth of a king. King Geumwa later assigned Jumong to tend horses. Jumong recognized a fine steed and deliberately underfed it so it would appear gaunt and be discarded, after which he claimed it for himself. The ability to recognize and handle exceptional horses was considered a qualification for kingship.
The same symbolism continued after death. The "Cheonmado" (Heavenly Horse Painting) excavated from Silla's Cheonmachong tomb in Gyeongju depicts a mediator between the worlds of the living and the dead. The heavenly horse, with radiant wings on its body, soars high into the sky, freely traveling between the celestial and earthly realms while connecting gods and humans.
Horses were regarded as symbols of heroic figures and were beloved by monarchs. Taejo Yi Seong-gye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, particularly loved horses and kept eight prized steeds. King Sejong commissioned the distinguished painter An Gyeon to create "Paljundo" (Painting of Eight Horses) to honor his grandfather's greatness. The dignified and elegant posture of the horses, connected to the heavenly horse mythology, symbolized Joseon's strong royal authority. An Gyeon's original was lost during the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of 1592), but reproductions became highly popular during King Sukjong's reign, and one such album is preserved at the National Museum of Korea.
Horse paintings, known as "mado" (馬圖), were also popular among commoners. The late Joseon literati painter Yun Du-seo (pen name Gongje) and the late Joseon painter Jang Seung-eop (pen name Owon) were famous for their horse paintings. Horse paintings are believed to bring the energy of "mado-seonggong" (馬到成功), meaning "success arrives with the horse," and continue to decorate the offices of many business leaders today.
In Western culture, horses have also appeared as symbols of power, freedom, speed, adventure and human ambition. As animals that stood beside kings and warriors since ancient times, they also signified authority and dominion. Based on this symbolism, equestrian portraits became a major genre in the West from ancient Rome through the European Renaissance and Baroque periods. This style emphasized absolute power and heroic imagery through dynamic portrayals of monarchs mounted on majestic horses. Jacques-Louis David's 1801 painting "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" is a masterpiece of the equestrian portrait genre and has become legendary alongside the Napoleonic hero myth.
Even in modern times, the value of horses has not diminished. The image of speed associated with horses—among the fastest animals—has gained additional appeal in connection with advancements in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence. Power is still measured in "horsepower," and a swift runner is called "geongak" (strong legs). Companies using horses in their logos, such as automobile manufacturers, can be found everywhere.
"While the ways of expressing horses have varied across different eras, in our collective consciousness, the horse has established itself as an animal symbolizing sacredness, auspiciousness and the divine," said Cheon Jin-gi, former director of the National Folk Museum of Korea.
