News

Significance of horse mascot in Vietnamese culture

Hai Phong News 17/02/2026 10:59

The Year of the Horse 2026 witnesses a strong presence of the horse mascot in all aspects of life, from art and spiritual beliefs to traditional Tet spaces.

info-header-3x2-1-.png
Horse mascots at Lao Bao, Quang Tri.

Symbol of strength and breakthrough aspirations

In the flow of East Asian culture, the horse has long been regarded as a symbol of strength, speed, and free spirit. In Vietnam, this animal's image carries not only material meaning but also deep spiritual values in Vietnamese people's consciousness.

Horses are known for their endurance, intelligence, and loyalty, yet they are associated with impatience, arrogance, and unruliness. It is precisely this complexity that has allowed the image of horses to permeate Vietnamese life in a natural and deeply rooted way, enriching the nation’s spiritual and cultural landscape.

In history, from the Trung sisters’ uprising to the Ly-Tran dynasties, horses played a crucial military role while becoming symbols of power. Horse images are carved on stone steles, worship statues, and bas-reliefs at many relics, embodying bravery and enduring vitality.

Paper horses and wooden horses in traditional rituals continue to affirm this symbol's lasting position in spiritual life. For many folk artisans, the horse is not just aesthetically beautiful but also represents loyalty, willpower, and ceaseless momentum.

ngua.png
Horse in Dong Ho folk painting.

Inspirational mascot in 2026 Tet Space

Lunar New Year is a time of harmony between past and present, where cultural symbols are vividly revived. Entering the Year of the Horse 2026, the horse image is emphasized as a symbol of passion and determination.

Thus, the spaces in the Year of the Horse 2026 are filled with horse paintings and statues in many households. Choosing horse images as gifts with wishes of ‘ma dao thanh cong’ (a wish for success and a smooth beginning).

Hai Phong News

(0) Comment
Significance of horse mascot in Vietnamese culture