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Running into Year of the Horse: Korea looks back on long bond with equines
Jeju horses, designated as a Natural Monument of Korea, bathe in the morning sunlight at the Jeju Livestock and Life Science Research Institute on the slopes of Jeju Island's Mount Halla, Dec. 19, showing their resilience and vitality. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Kim Se-jeong
As Korea gallops into the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign known for its unstoppable energy and daring spirit, the nation celebrates its enduring bond with horses, from royal courts to farmlands.
Throughout history and across civilizations, horses have accompanied humankind — plowing fields, carrying people and goods and serving as important assets in wartime. For centuries, they were central to daily life.
As tractors and vehicles replaced animal labor, horses gradually disappeared from farms. Today, they are most commonly seen at racetracks and in parks, where they are kept for sport, recreation and exhibition.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Asian zodiac. As the seventh of the 12 animals in the calendar, the horse traditionally symbolizes power, action, speed and strength. When combined with the fire element's passion and intensity, these traits create a personality that's dynamic, confident and quick to act.
While the Year of the Horse returns every 12 years, the specific combination of the horse with the fire element only occurs once every 60 years, due to the zodiac’s rotation of 12 animals and five elements. The last Year of the Fire Horse was in 1966.
Jockey Bang Si-re of the Korea Racing Authority Equestrian Club takes a jump at Wondang Horse Ranch in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 10. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Globally, more than 300 horse breeds are known today. Among the most widely recognized are the thoroughbred, American quarter horse and Arabian, each prized for different qualities such as speed, versatility and stamina.
Among these diverse breeds, one carries a distinctly Korean name: the Jeju horse.
Native to Korea’s southern Jeju Island, the Jeju horse — also known as the Jeju pony — has existed for centuries. Smaller than many breeds and usually coming in at less than 140 centimeters in height, it is known for its endurance and gentle temperament. Unlike many horses on the Korean Peninsula that were crossbred with Mongolian stock, the Jeju horse has retained its native characteristics.
In 1986, the Korean government designated the breed a Natural Monument to protect it from extinction, as its numbers had started to decline rapidly.
Jeju Island has long been the center of Korea’s equestrian culture. During the 918-1392 Goryeo Dynasty, horses thrived on the island and many were sent to the royal court. Their population expanded rapidly during the Mongol invasions between 1270 and 1356. Historical records note that the first group of 160 Mongolian horses arrived on Jeju in 1276, a practice that continued until 1374.
Although the introduction of Mongolian horses influenced the island's horse culture, recent research confirms that the Jeju horse is a genetically distinct breed that evolved independently.
Demand for horses remained strong during the 1392-1910 Joseon era, with Jeju serving as the kingdom’s primary supply base. Joseon even sent horses to the Ming Dynasty of China, which was engaged in conflict with Mongol forces along its northern borders. Another record tells of Kim Man-il, a horse breeder from Jeju, who donated 500 horses during the 1592-98 Imjin War, when Joseon fought against invading Japanese forces.
Horses were not used solely for war in Korea. Alongside oxen, they were vital agricultural partners for centuries, forming deep bonds with human communities.
A variety of mapae, or horse medallions, used during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty / Courtesy of National Folk Museum of Korea
From symbol of authority to modern icon
An ongoing exhibition at the National Folk Museum of Korea explores the multifaceted relationships between humans and horses on the Korean Peninsula.
Titled “Special Exhibition for the Year of the Horse: The Famous Feast of the Horse,” the exhibition features artifacts such as horse bells, saddles and a veterinary manual written in 1399 that details medical treatments and proper care for horses.
Horses were also symbols of authority. One type of object on display is the mapae, or horse medallion, issued only to officials traveling on state business. Mapae granted the bearer the right to exchange exhausted horses for fresh ones at government service stations nationwide. The number engraved on each medallion indicated how many horses the official was entitled to use — a visible marker of political rank.
A traditional Korean funerary figure riding a horse / Courtesy of National Folk Museum of Korea
Another section of the exhibition highlights kokdu, traditional Korean funerary figures. Believed to guide the deceased from this world to the next, some kokdu are depicted riding horses, symbolizing power, protection and sacred passage.
“For our ancestors, the horse was more than a means of transportation. It was imagined as a sacred medium that guided spirits, carried deities and conveyed divine will,” the museum explained.
“This exhibition sheds light on the many layers of meaning embodied by the horse — its historical significance, sacred symbolism and emotional bond with humanity.”
A piece from the "Paljundo" painting, originally drawn by An Gyeon and later replicated by court painters / Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
Horses were also featured prominently in traditional paintings. Among the most famous examples is "Paljundo," which depicted eight horses beloved by the founder of Joseon. The original "Paljundo" was painted by An Gyeon, a 15th-century court painter who served under King Sejong. His works were later lost or destroyed in wars, but his paintings were reproduced by other court painters under King Sukjong in the early 18th century.
Today, one of the most accessible ways to see horses in Korea is at racetracks. Horse racing has ancient roots, tracing back to civilizations such as Greece, Rome, Egypt and Arabia, and remains popular worldwide today. In Korea, betting on horse races is legal and overseen by the Korea Racing Authority.
Horses compete during a race at LetsRun Park Seoul in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of Korea Racing Authority
Historically, the Year of the Horse was considered an inauspicious time for having daughters, based on the belief that women born in those years would have strong personalities and turbulent lives.
Whether such beliefs still hold is debatable. What is clear is that many prominent women were born in the Year of the Horse, including actor Kim Tae-ri of “Mr. Sunshine” (2018), K-pop stars Yoona and Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation, actor Go Ara of “Reply 1994” (2013) and Park Bo-young of “Our Unwritten Seoul” (2025).
Male celebrities born in the Year of the Horse include Yang Yo-seop of Highlight, Junho and Chansung of 2PM, actor Hong Jong-hyun of “What Comes After Love” (2024) and Kang Ha-neul of “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016).