by Floor Perquin
This column explores various aspects of the Chinese language. This time, we are focusing on the Year of the Horse. Floor Perquin is an interpreter, translator and Chinese language teacher.
Happy New Year of the Horse
The new Chinese year has now begun. I hope you had a wonderful celebration. It is the Year of the Horse, 马, written in traditional script as 馬. If we are to believe the astrologers, it is set to be quite an eventful year. The horse is an energetic doer, who wants to progress at a high pace and looks for solutions. But beware: a 奔马 (bēn mǎ / galloping horse) can sometimes be too restless and impatient. Furthermore, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. In Chinese astrology there are five elements: wood, fire, earth, water and metal. With the element of fire (火 / huǒ, gwoh) the natural characteristics of the horse are significantly intensified. If you keep these in check, it will take little effort to jump over all the obstacles and you will be able to say with confidence:
马年大吉 / mǎ nián dàjí / Happy Year of the Horse!
