For over two millennia, the horse has shaped the arts and cultures of East Asia—as a heavenly steed, status symbol, and emblem of strength, power, and virtue. To mark the Lunar Year of the Fire Horse, which traditionally begins in China, Korea, and Japan on February 17, 2026, paintings and woodblock prints, ceramics and porcelain, bronze sculptures, and lacquerware illustrate the multifaceted significance of the horse from the 3rd century BC to the modern era.
The mythological significance of the horse is illustrated by sculptural grave goods for the afterlife and depictions in which it accompanies deities and humans on supernatural journeys through the heavens.
The use of horses in the military made the possession of strong horses a prerequisite for the successful defense of the state and conquests from early times onwards. This is illustrated by battle scenes and portraits of generals and officials.
The art of the Tang Dynasty (617–907) impressively testifies to the importance of the horse as a key commodity on the Silk Road and as a tribute gift between the Chinese imperial court and the northern steppe peoples. Beyond its military and economic uses, the horse became indispensable for hunting, which is particularly reflected in the art of the Qing dynasty (1644–1912).
In Japanese and Korean painting, the horse is mainly depicted as a companion to samurai, scholars, and travelers. Since the Meiji period (1868–1912), it has been depicted in secular woodblock prints, for example at a horse racing track, and as an ornament on handcrafted objects. Artfully crafted riding accessories such as saddles, stirrups, and bridles illustrate its role as a symbol of power and status among the upper classes.
For the exhibition “The Lunar Year of the Horse,” filmmaker Jie Lu has artistically edited and animated a section from the scroll Autumn Hunt, a work by anonymous court painters from the 18th century.
Curator: Dr. Daniel Suebsman
Supported by
Orientstiftung zur Förderung der Ostasiatischen Kunst
Fördererkreis des Museums für Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
