My apologies to Hanna-Barbera Animation Company and to Quick Draw McGraw, their cartoon wild West Sheriff horse, for appropriating Quick Draw’s theme song. And yes, as I type these words, Snake Year is slithering away out of sight for the next 12 years, and we are now in the Chinese Year of the Horse.

In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes strength, speed, courage, loyalty, freedom and talent. Those born under this zodiac sign are often said to be brave, steady, upright, faithful and independent.

The 12 Chinese horoscope animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Every 12 years your animal year will come around again.

Of course, it gets more complicated than that, because it is inscrutable, but that’s the gist of it.

Because the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, it doesn’t fall on the same date every year. People born in January or February can’t assume they were born in the corresponding animal year. As I mentioned last week, I recently learned that my old friend Jay, whose birthday falls in late January, was born in a Monkey year, not, as we had previously supposed, in a Rooster year. When I told him — I felt he was entitled to know the truth — he replied “This changes everything. I’m going to have to re-evaluate everything.” Jay tends to take things to heart.

Before the internet, a person had to pick up a paper placemat at a Chinese restaurant in order to learn their animal year. By assiduous study of a placemat in a Chinese restaurant years ago in Houston, Texas, I learned that I was born in a Pig year. This doesn’t sound too good on the face of it, but a person born in a Pig year is generally referred to as “the noble Pig,” I think as a form of recompense. It’s like, yes, you were born in a Pig year, but don’t think of yourself as a pig. Think of yourself as “the NOBLE Pig.”

Five elements influence the Chinese zodiac: Wood, Earth, Water, Fire, and Metal. This is a Fire Horse year. The next Horse Year will be in 2038; the next Fire Horse year will be 60 years from now. You calculate this by multiplying the 12 animal signs by the 5 elements.

I was born in a Fire Pig year. My great nephew Henry was born the year I turned 60, and he is thus a noble Fire Pig, just like me. I would tell Henry, but I’m not sure how he would take it.

According to “Sino Cultural.com,” “The true distinction of 2026 lies in the potent energy between the Horse’s intrinsic energy and the fire element.”

The result is boldness: passion, new ideas, clear thinking, inspiration and leadership.

Think of Sovereignty, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby!

This combination of qualities, intrepid as the result may be, requires some caution before taking the bit between one’s teeth and just going for it; 2026 may be a wild ride. But then, I’m speaking not as a Fire Horse but as a noble Fire Pig.

The only Fire Horse people now alive on earth are 60-year-olds and little babies!

You’d think that your animal year would be a lucky year for you, but this is seldom the case. A special kind of bad luck, called ben ming nian, attends your own animal year. Wearing red helps, and red underwear has become a popular way to stave off the hazards of ben ming nian.

Some places where red underwear is available for sale are Amazon, Ali Baba and Daisysilk. If you go to Ali Baba, you may encounter the term “ice silk” when looking at underwear or pajamas. Ice silk is synthetic. Mulberry silk, on the other hand, is high quality real silk.

It doesn’t have to be underwear. Anything red will do. If you were lucky and received a Valentine, as long as it’s red, I’d say carry that in your pocket. Remember to take it out of your pocket at the end of the day, though; you don’t want it to go through the wash by mistake. Also it could get worn out by the time the Year of the Goat butts its way into the Zodiac for 2027. Some wear a tasteful red woven bracelet.

Have a good week, and Happy Year of the Horse!

(Martha Allen, of Keene Valley, has been writing for the News since 1996.)