Horses are an important motif in Chinese mythology. There are many myths about horses or horse-like beings, including the pony. Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China. This includes myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese as well as other ethnic groups. There are various motifs of horses in Chinese mythology. In some cases the focus is on a horse or horses as the protagonist of the action, in other cases they appear in a supporting role, sometimes as the locomotive power propelling a chariot and its occupant(s). According to a cyclical Chinese calendar system, the time period of 31 January 2014 - 18 February 2015 falls under the category of the (yang) Wood Horse.
Picture of a silhouette horse and the common Chinese character for "horse"
Chinese pottery horse, detail
Silkworm head. Late instar.
Horse head model from Han Dynasty China.
White horses have a special significance in the mythologies of cultures around the world. They are often associated with the sun chariot, with warrior-heroes, with fertility, or with an end-of-time saviour, but other interpretations exist as well. Both truly white horses and the more common grey horses, with completely white hair coats, were identified as "white" by various religious and cultural traditions.
The 3,000-year-old Uffington White Horse hill figure in England.
The Hindu world saviour Kalki with his white Horse. Punjab Hills, Guler, c. 1765.
Bellerophon riding Pegasus
The Tjängvide image stone is thought to show Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir.