Years of the Horse 1954 · 1966 · 1978 · 1990 · 2002 · 2014 · 2026

The Year of the Horse comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2038, the Year of the Earth Horse, which begins on 4 Feb 2038.

Every 12 years
Next: 2038
Sign: 7th of 12

Year of the Horse chart

The table shows every Year of the Horse from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

Year	Dates	Element sign	Stem-branch
1930	30 Jan 1930 – 16 Feb 1931	Metal Horse	庚午 (gēng wǔ)
1942	15 Feb 1942 – 4 Feb 1943	Water Horse	壬午 (rén wǔ)
1954	3 Feb 1954 – 23 Jan 1955	Wood Horse	甲午 (jiǎ wǔ)
1966	21 Jan 1966 – 8 Feb 1967	Fire Horse	丙午 (bǐng wǔ)
1978	7 Feb 1978 – 27 Jan 1979	Earth Horse	戊午 (wù wǔ)
1990	27 Jan 1990 – 14 Feb 1991	Metal Horse	庚午 (gēng wǔ)
2002	12 Feb 2002 – 31 Jan 2003	Water Horse	壬午 (rén wǔ)
2014	31 Jan 2014 – 18 Feb 2015	Wood Horse	甲午 (jiǎ wǔ)
2026	17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027	Fire Horse	丙午 (bǐng wǔ)
2038	4 Feb 2038 – 23 Jan 2039	Earth Horse	戊午 (wù wǔ)

Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.

When is the next Year of the Horse?

The next Year of the Horse is 2038, the Year of the Earth Horse. It runs from 4 Feb 2038 to 23 Jan 2039. After that the Horse returns in 2050.

What each element means for the Horse

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Horse’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Horse year comes round, everyone born under the Horse is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Horse guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Horse questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Horse?

The Years of the Horse are 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 and 2038. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Horse?

The next Year of the Horse is 2038, the Year of the Earth Horse. It runs from 4 Feb 2038 to 23 Jan 2039.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.