A New Year, an Ancient Symbol: “Year of the Horse: Hoofbeats Through Time” at Mia

A timely exploration of the horse as a cultural symbol during the “Year of the Horse”

January 27, 2026

Minneapolis—As 2026 ushers in the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) presents “Year of the Horse: Hoofbeats Through Time.” The exhibition traces how the horse, an enduring symbol of strength, loyalty, and aspiration, has shaped Chinese art and culture for more than three millennia. On view February 12–August 30, 2026, in Bell Court (Gallery G333), the exhibition features approximately 65 sets of works from Mia’s collection spanning the 12th century BCE to the contemporary era.

Across Chinese history, the horse has appeared as chariot-puller, zodiac sign, loyal companion, imperial emblem, and poetic metaphor. “Year of the Horse” examines how this familiar animal became a richly layered cultural symbol, embodying strength, status, virtue, and transformation across bronzes, ceramics, paintings, jades, and textiles.

“The horse in Chinese art is never merely an animal; it is a mirror of human values and ambitions,” said Liu Yang, chair of Asian Art and curator of Chinese Art. “By following its image across time and media, this exhibition reveals how power, belief, and identity have been celebrated, evolved, and carried forward over centuries.”

Structured thematically rather than chronologically, the exhibition explores the horse as a sacred medium, martial power, companion, imperial emblem, zodiac figure, and auspicious symbol, revealing its enduring presence in Chinese art across centuries. From ritual bronzes and Tang dynasty tomb figures to Qing court paintings and scholars’ miniatures, the horse appears as both earthly force and cosmic guide. Influenced by Daoist ideas of immortality, horses were placed in tombs as sacred transport to the afterlife, while in imperial art they became coded symbols of governance and harmony. In everyday and intimate contexts, miniature horses adorned scholars’ desks, offering reflection, play, and aesthetic pleasure.

Mia holds one of the strongest collections of Chinese art in the United States, underscoring Minneapolis as a national hub for Chinese art and culture. As we welcome a new “Year of the Horse,” these timeless images invite reflection on movement, aspiration, and endurance—reminding us that even the most familiar forms carry rich cultural stories.

Exhibition Details 

For more information on this and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.