According to the Chinese lunar calendar the New Year begins this year on January 31. It is the year of the wooden horse.

In earlier times horses provided an important means of transportation and played a very important role in warfare. Thus horses symbolize speedy travelling, quick success and victory. By the way, I call my electric bicycle 马上 mashang, which literally translated means “on horse back”, the modern meaning being “immediately”. Not that I feel especially noble or elevated on my bike. It does take me to places faster and helps me to manage the Swiss topography better than a bicycle without a battery, though. Riding uphill I beat my husband any time. That is speedy travelling, quick success and even victory.

People born in the year of the horse are supposed to be competitive and passionate lovers of freedom. They are social and make good leaders.

If you would like to read the legend of the dragon horse, here is the link: http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/RiverDiagram.htm

I wish everyone, particularly the horse people, a very good and successful Chinese New Year.