4465) The Chinese New Year - Year of the Horse ("Wu" - in the Chinese Zodiac) commencing 29.01.2026, Gibraltar (A British Overseas Territory (BOT): A set of six Postage Stamps issued by Gibraltar Post: Date/Year of Stamps issue: 30.04.2026
The Zodiac cycle renews itself every 12 years and, as such, the third series will conclude with the 2028 release.
This is the year which is represented by the 12-animal lunar zodiac, the "Year of the Horse" is considered special.
The Horse year comes once every 12 years, but the "Fire Horse" specifically is much rarer, appearing only once every 60 years (the last was in 1966).
How does the Lunar Calendar or Chinese Zodiac Cycle work?
I consulted some of the books which have been kept in my personal library and got acquainted with some interesting facts about the Chinese Zodiac/Lunar Calendar:
The exact origins of the 12 animal signs is rather lost in the obscurity of time, but there is no doubt that they originated in China. In terms of the Chinese astrological "history", the 12 animals are of a rather recent introduction - for it seems that in the 2nd Century BC, Ssu Ma Chi'en (163-85 BC), who was the grand astrologer to Emperor Wu Ti, wrote the Shi Chi or "historical record" up to that time. In this book, there is no "Zodiac" or mention of the 12 animals.
Originally, the 12-year cycle that it takes the planet Jupiter to complete one orbit of the Sun was believed to have defined the earlier calendars. The Chinese still call this cycle "The Great Year" and each month corresponds to one of our own years.
By the 10th Century AD, however, after Buddhism had been established in China, Calendar Almanacs, such as those written by Tibetan monks in exile in the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas" monastery in the remote reaches of North-western China, depicting the 12 animals, came into existence.
The legend of the Conference of animals called by the Buddha and naming of the 12-year cycle after 12 animals for the Chinese Lunar Calendar:
According to a legend, it was the Buddha (583-463 BC), who created the 12-animal cycle.
He is believed to have invited all the animals in the land to hold a conference together. The Buddha was not surprised, as in his wisdom, he knew that some of the animals were friendly towards others, while others were inimical/enemies.
To encourage attendance, he decided to name the years after the first twelve animals, in order of their arrival.
An invitation from the Buddha was hard to resist, and when they heard the news, all the animals set off at once, each determined to be the first to arrive.
Tiger, because of his energy and speed, at first took the lead. Soon, though, he began to tire and the early lead that he had achieved over his next rival Ox, who may have been slow, but had great stamina, soon dissipated. Ox reached the Buddha ahead of Tiger and prepared to bow down low to receive his honour.
But, what the sturdy Ox did not know was that clever Rat had sneaked a ride on his tail!!
Just before Ox's nose touched the floor at the Buddha's feet, nimble and swift Rat ran up the Ox's tail, along his back and jumped off his nose, thus winning the race to be the first to bow before the Buddha.
So Rat (or "Tze" or "Xi" is its Chinese name"), became the first animal in the Chinese Lunar Calendar/Zodiac, followed by a rather resentful Ox ("Chou").
Tiger ("Yin"), Rabbit ("Mao"), Dragon ("Chen"), Snake ("Si"), Horse ("Wu"), Goat ("Wei"), Monkey ("Shen"), Rooster ("You"), Dog ("Xu") and Pig ("Hu"), all followed, and in that order, paid homage to the Buddha and were each honoured with a year.
Interestingly, Dragon is the only mythical beast in the Chinese Circle of Zodiacal animals.
According to the Lunar or Chinese Zodiac, each year is assigned to the above-referred animals, in accordance to a 12-year cycle:
The lunar calendar is 12 months long, with each month corresponding roughly to one cycle of the Moon's movement - from a new moon, through to a full Moon and back to a new Moon.
The lunar calendar is also known as the agricultural calendar as it divides the year into seasons. Agriculture was the principal economy of ancient China.
Even today, the lunar calendar still has great significance for the Chinese people, who use it to set the luckiest dates for traditional events and activities, such as weddings, funerals, launching new ventures and moving to a new house.
About Chinese New Year - "Year of the Horse":
On January 29, 2026, Asian communities celebrate the New Year or "Spring Festival" and the advent of the Year of the Horse.
The present Chinese New Year (2026) is the Year of the Horse, specifically the "Fire Horse", which began on February 17, 2026 and will end on February 5, 2027.
Key Details About the Current Chinese Year:
Animal Sign: Horse
Element: Fire (making it the Fire Horse)
Next Year (2027): Year of the Sheep
Characteristics of the Fire Horse Year:
Positive Traits:
Bold, energetic, and charismatic leadership.
Fast progress and momentum in projects.
Passion-driven creativity and innovation.
Strong sense of freedom and authenticity.
Challenges:
Risk of burnout from moving too quickly.
Difficulty committing to long-term plans.
Rash decisions and ego clashes.
Tendency to disrupt systems before building new ones.
In Chinese astrology, people born in Horse years are considered animated, active, and energetic.
Cultural Significance: The Horse symbolises speed, strength, and independence in Chinese tradition.
Astrological Influence: Each zodiac year is believed to affect luck, career, relationships, and health differently depending on your own zodiac sign.
The Year of the Horse celebrates energy, independence, and vitality—qualities that have made this noble animal one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese culture.
- Representing forward movement, strength, and an unyielding desire for freedom, the horse embodies the spirit of progress and adventure.
- Those born under its sign are believed to be spirited, intelligent, and full of life, driven by curiosity and a deep need to explore the world around them. Natural adventurers, they thrive on new experiences and value both personal freedom and self-expression.
- People born in the "Year of the Horse" are admired for their optimism, charisma, and dynamic presence.
- They possess a magnetic energy that draws others toward them, yet they also cherish independence and personal space.
- Quick-witted and perceptive, they are capable of remarkable achievements when they channel their enthusiasm with focus and discipline.
- The horse symbolises not only determination but also sincerity, courage, and grace, reminding us that true success is guided as much byintegrity as it is by ambition.
- The "Year of the Horse" encourages bold action and creative thinking. It is a time to move forward with confidence, to take decisive steps toward one’s goals, and to trust the instinct that drives all great journeys.
Like the galloping horse itself, this is a year defined by momentum, urging us to embrace change and pursue our aspirations with courage and clarity.
In Chinese history, the horse has long been a symbol of endurance and loyalty, playing a vital role in travel, communication, and the expansion of ancient civilizations. From imperial processions to legendary battles, the horse carried not only people but also the hopes and ambitions of entire dynasties. Its image appears frequently in art and folklore, often representing success, nobility, and the swift arrival of good fortune.
Artistically, the horse has inspired generations of painters and calligraphers, who sought to capture its grace, strength, and fluid motion. In traditional Chinese brush painting, the horse is often depicted mid-stride, embodying both power and elegance in a single gesture. These works reflect a deep admiration for the animal’s spirit, as well as a broader appreciation for harmony between strength and beauty.
Across cultures and throughout time, the horse remains a universal emblem of vitality, perseverance, and freedom.
The Year of the Horse invites us to embrace these qualities, to move with purpose, to act with confidence, and to pursue life with an open heart and an adventurous spirit.
With more than 4,000 years of history, the New Year festival, a cornerstone of Chinese culture, is celebrated by around 2 billion people around the world:
The festivities last for fifteen days:
Parades, dances, fireworks, and parades follow one another. A time of joy and sharing, this celebration is an opportunity to bring together family members, sometimes coming from far away for the event, to exchange gifts and to celebrate New Year's Eve around traditional dishes. The "Lantern Festival", the highlight of the festivities, brings the cycle of celebrations to a beautiful close. Before meeting again next year...
The Postage Stamps:
Year of the Horse - A set of six Postage Stamps
Technical details:
Issue Date: 30.04.2026
Designer: Stephen Perera
Illustrator: Rising Design Lab
Printer: Cartor Security Printers Ltd.
Process: Offset Lithography
Colours:4 colours (CMYK) - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Key (Black)
Size:
Stamp size: 35 x 30.43mm, MS size: 132 x 92mm
Values: 30p, 60p, 90p, £1, £1.15, £4
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
Links to posts on "The Year of the Horse -Wu":
Links to posts from the East India Company on Trade Dollars:
3) French Trade Dollars: Niue Island in partnership with the East India Company Bullion Ltd. has issued the Fifth Coin in the five-coin series titled "The Trade Dollar Collection" depicting five Trade Dollar Coins which shaped commerce in various parts of the world: A Gold 250 Dollar and a Silver 1 Dollar Coin issued in 2020 depicting the French Trade Dollar
1) The Travels of a silver Mexican Peso:1898 restruck in 1949
2) Ancient Chinese, Indian and Islamic coins at the Shanghai Museum
3) A Road trip to Himachal - Manali, Dharmshala, Simla
4) coins-and-currency-of the SAR of-Hong-Kong
5) Coins and Currency of the SAR of Macau
6) Yuan Shih-Kai or "Fatman" or "Big Head" silver dollar
7) Currency of the People's Republic of China - Yuan, Jiao & Fen
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A very interesting Post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very well compiled and detailed post."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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