#China #Beijing #Chinese culture #Year of the Horse #Feng Jicai

Embracing the Spirit of the Horse: Feng Jicai's Reflections

In 2026, the Chinese zodiac welcomes the Year of the Horse once more, a sign that resonates deeply with writer Feng Jicai. For Feng, born under the Horse sign, each cycle not only marks a passage of time but also evokes memories and reflections shaped by his enduring connection to this majestic creature.

Feng recalls the vivid memories with his close friend, renowned artist Han Meilin, who is known for his captivating depictions of horses. Throughout their long friendship, Han has gifted Feng numerous horse paintings, each rich with artistic sentiment and meaning. Notably, on Feng’s 80th birthday, Han presented him with a stunning collection of 80 unique horse portraits, evoking a panorama of emotions and inspirations. Each painting symbolized different aspects of life—passion, majesty, and vitality—all illustrated through the lens of the horse.

The connection between Feng and horses runs deeper than mere artistic appreciation. His personal narrative intertwines with the horse's essence. Interestingly, Feng's surname incorporates the character for horse, making his identity inseparable from this powerful symbol. In a cultural context, the Horse embodies vital qualities cherished by the Chinese society throughout history—tenacity, strength, and a relentless pursuit of goals.

As Feng considered the significance of the Year of the Horse, he reflected on his life achievements—painting, literature, cultural preservation, and education—comprising the four main pursuits he has passionately nurtured, much like the four horses he metaphorically aligns himself with. This correlation has even earned him the affectionate nickname, “The Carriage Drawn by Four Horses.”

The cyclical nature of the zodiac reminds Feng that, though years pass and he ages, his enthusiasm for each career pursuit remains ablaze. He feels himself invigorated by the qualities associated with the horse—vitality, perseverance, and the courage to face new challenges. With many of his aspirations still to be fulfilled, Feng finds an undeterred drive to gallop forward into this new year, embracing the hope and promise it brings.

Feng’s reflections highlight how deeply ingrained the horse spirit is in Chinese culture. This is evident in how horse imagery spans historical and artistic expressions, from ancient dynasties to modern interpretations. The legacy of past masters, such as Han Gan and Li Gonglin, lives on through the brush strokes that portray the horse's dynamic forms and spirit, echoing sentiments of vitality and freedom.

In this year of the Bingwu, Feng stands ready to embrace the upcoming challenges. He celebrates not only the cultural legacy of the Horse but also the personal significance it holds for him. As he metaphorically mounts this year’s horse, he invites others to do the same—to harness the wild spirit and boundless energy of the horse and embark on a journey filled with courage and tenacity. Through his art and words, Feng Jicai reinforces the importance of the horse as a symbol: one that is not merely flesh and blood but a powerful embodiment of hope, strength, and the pursuit of dreams, endlessly galloping into the horizon of life’s possibilities.

Feng Jicai, an esteemed writer and cultural ambassador, encapsulates the transformative power of this zodiac sign. Each Year of the Horse serves as a reminder to awaken the bold spirit within us all, urging a collective leap into new adventures and aspirations. In Feng's eyes, the journey ahead is as exhilarating as a horse galloping freely across an open field under the sun, signifying not just progress but also the joy of the ride itself.