Dreaming of a horse in Chinese dream interpretation: meaning
In the Chinese tradition the horse is one of the twelve zodiac animals and an image of speed, perseverance and success. The saying ma dao cheng gong, the horse arrives and success follows, wishes someone swift success.
Within this tradition
In the Chinese zodiac the horse stands for energy, freedom and tirelessness. Those born in the year of the horse are said to be energetic and independent. In folk tradition and dream books a horse in a dream is therefore often read favourably: a sign of progress, travel or swift success.
That echoes in the well-known saying ma dao cheng gong: as soon as the horse arrives, success follows. A horse galloping towards you in a dream can be read along those lines as good news or a breakthrough coming soon. A horse you ride, as progress in your work or career.
One of the best-known Chinese stories is about an old man at the border who loses his horse. The neighbours pity him, but he says: who knows, this may be good fortune. The horse returns with a second horse. The neighbours congratulate him, but he says: who knows, this may be misfortune. And so the story continues. So a horse running away in your dream need not be a loss: what looks like misfortune can turn out to be good fortune.
The condition of the horse counts. A strong, shining horse is favourable; a thin or injured horse points rather to fatigue or setback. And a horse that will not move can stand for something not yet getting going.
Common variations
A horse galloping towards you
In the line of ma dao cheng gong: good news or swift success.
A horse running away
Recalls the old man at the border: what looks like loss can turn out to be good fortune.
Riding a strong, shining horse
Progress in work or career, energy to move forward.
A thin or injured horse
Rather fatigue or setback. A reason to rest.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
What does ma dao cheng gong mean?
Literally: the horse arrives and success follows. A wish for swift success, and one reason horses in dreams are often read favourably.
What is the story of the old man who lost his horse?
A Chinese story about a man who says at every loss and every gain: who knows. What looks like misfortune turns out to be good fortune, and the other way round.