Wood Horse Chinese Zodiac
木马 mù mǎ
A Wood Horse was born in a Horse year ending in 4 or 5: 1954, 2014 and 2074. Wood adds growth to the Horse's freedom. The Wood Horse is described as cheerful, curious and easygoing, a Horse that learns constantly and gets along with nearly everyone.
- Wood
- Horse
- Yang
Wood Horse at a Glance
- Years
- 1954, 2014 and 2074
- Year element
- Wood 木 (years ending in 4 or 5)
- Horse's own element
- Fire
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 甲午
- Next Wood Horse year
- 2074
The Wood Horse, the Horse That Keeps Learning
Every Horse wants freedom. Tradition gives the Wood Horse a gentler version of it: a curious, cheerful sign that likes variety and learns as it goes, without the Fire Horse’s impatience.
The 1954 Wood Horses are Boomers turning 72 in 2026, their own sign year. So are the 2014 Wood Horses, who turn 12: one cohort meets its first Horse year, the other its sixth.
Which Years Are Wood Horse Years?
The most recent Wood Horse year began on Jan 31, 2014 and ended on Feb 18, 2015; the next comes in 2074. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 Chinese zodiac | Feb 3, 1954 | Jan 23, 1955 | 甲午 | 沙中金 | 71 or 72 |
| 2014 Chinese zodiac | Jan 31, 2014 | Feb 18, 2015 | 甲午 | 沙中金 | 11 or 12 |
| 2074 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Wood Horse Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Wood Horse
- Friendly
- Curious
- Energetic
Challenges of the Wood Horse
- Unfocused
- Overpromises
- Dislikes routine
Wood Horse in Love and at Work
In Love
Affectionate and fun, and needs room to roam.
At Work
Does well in travel, teaching, media and anything with variety.
The Five Kinds of Horse
The Horse's own element is always Fire; the birth year adds the second. For the Wood Horse, Wood feeds Fire, so the year supports the Horse's nature.
| Type | Years | With the Horse's Fire |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Horse | 1954, 2014, 2074 | Wood feeds Fire |
| Fire Horse Chinese zodiac | 1906, 1966, 2026, 2086 | Doubled |
| Earth Horse Chinese zodiac | 1918, 1978, 2038 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Metal Horse Chinese zodiac | 1930, 1990, 2050 | Fire restrains Metal |
| Water Horse Chinese zodiac | 1942, 2002, 2062 | Water restrains Fire |
Wood Horse Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Tiger, Dog and Goat for the Horse, and the Rat is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Own Sign Year
Link to the Horse: Own sign year (本命年), Punishment (刑太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Supported
Link to the Goat: Secret Friend (六合).
Other Wood Signs
All twelve animals have a Wood year. Each is a different mix.
- Wood Rat Chinese zodiac1924, 1984
- Wood Ox Chinese zodiac1925, 1985
- Wood Tiger Chinese zodiac1974, 2034
- Wood Rabbit Chinese zodiac1975, 2035
- Wood Dragon Chinese zodiac1964, 2024
- Wood Snake Chinese zodiac1965, 2025
- Wood Goat Chinese zodiac1955, 2015
- Wood Monkey Chinese zodiac1944, 2004
- Wood Rooster Chinese zodiac1945, 2005
- Wood Dog Chinese zodiac1934, 1994
- Wood Pig Chinese zodiac1935, 1995
Wood Horse Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Wood Horse?
A Wood Horse is someone born in a Horse year that ends in 4 or 5. Wood Horse years include 1954, 2014 and 2074. Tradition describes the Wood Horse as friendly, curious and energetic.
What years are Wood Horse years?
1954, 2014 and 2074. The 2014 year ran from Jan 31, 2014 to Feb 18, 2015.
Is the Horse a Wood sign?
The Horse's own element is Fire, which never changes. Wood is the element of the birth year, so a Wood Horse carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Wood Horse?
The most recent Wood Horse years are 1954 and 2014. In 2026 someone born in 2014 turns 12.
When is the next Wood Horse year?
2074. Horse years return every 12 years and each element every 60.