Fine Arts

Behold the Beauty: Infatuation and the Spirited Horse ‘Night-Shining White’

The greatest Chinese horse portrait hides a pertinent warning.
Behold the Beauty: Infatuation and the Spirited Horse ‘Night-Shining White’
“Night-Shining White,” circa 750, by Han Gan. Ink on paper. Image: 12 1/8 inches by 13 3/8 inches. Entire handscroll (not pictured): 14 inches by 37 foot 5 1/8 inches. The Dillon Fund Gift, 1977, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Public Domain
Lorraine Ferrier
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This week, people throughout the world celebrate the Lunar New Year, with 2026 marking the Year of the Fire Horse. In Chinese astrology, the horse symbolizes freedom, motion, liveliness, and enthusiasm, and the fire horse specifically ignites passion and courage.
Family and friends may exchange New Year blessings honoring the fire horse, such as “Swift horse galloping ahead with purpose and determination.” 
Lorraine Ferrier
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.