Horse

Since ancient times the horse has symbolized vigor and prosperity. It is 7th among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. According to chinahighlights.com “The Horse symbolizes Qian (referring to Yin, heaven or a male in the Eight Diagrams)…and …The Book of Changes records: Qian represents the Horse, therefore, the Horse not only represents heaven, a king, a father, and a well-educated man, but it also represents a man of honor in traditional Chinese culture.” The horse is also closely associated with Taoism. As noted by Dr. Thomas Ritter, the frequent presence of horses in Taoist images symbolizes man’s harmony with and the elegance of nature, “It may not appear immediately obvious, but [in] Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching…the dressage artist rides and trains in harmony with Nature [and is] at one with the Tao [and nature] which gives his horses and his work radiance and expressiveness.” Several images of Taoist Officials and the Queen Mother of the West in the VA collection are set astride ornate and vigorous horses. In Japanese culture they are revered creatures that embody grace, power and nobility.