The Immortality of the Chinese Horse

China's very survival as an ancient society greatly depended upon the mighty Asian horse.  Beginning around the 4th century BC, China's most fearsome and powerful adversaries came from nomadic invaders out of the north and west.  The ancient battles of the Middle Kingdom, which we can only envision in our minds today, were terribly violent.... with much bloodshed!  Horses fought bravely side by side with their warrior masters to the bitter end of life.  By the time of the Han Dynasty the Chinese were forced (albeit quite reluctantly) to abandon the war chariot drawn by horses as a military weapon.  In its place came the mounted, skilled soldier riding a horse.  Once again, horses were intimate participators in the gruesome battles of ancient warfare.  Converting to the mounted soldier was done to better deal with the nomadic threat in the most effective way possible at the time.  From the Xiongnu to the Mongols and Manchus, the northern nomadic tribesmen fielded some of the most spectacular mounted soldiers which the world has ever seen.  At the very same time, this fact was a thorn in the side of the Chinese who had to use the same tactics of war to resist these warrior tribesmen who were hungry for conquest and conflict.

The Chinese horse also played a vital role in the mythology of early China.  This magnificent animal was closely associated with the famous Chinese dragon.  Both creatures were thought to be capable of flight.  Their flights supposedly carried their brave riders to the "home of the immortals."  The horse then became a symbol of immortality, power, and honor.  This ability to fly through free air and/or space has been linked to survival throughout all of China's long history.  It is only logical to conclude that any horse which can fly to the realm of the immortals must also be able to survive forever!

The importance of the horse has subsided in the time period we today call "modern China."  However, the mythological spirit of this ancient horse continues to run deeply throughout China's culture, in their decoration, and with their art forms.  In 1995, it was estimated that the population of horses had exceeded 11 million.  This is aproximately one sixth of all horses in the world.  Since this is the case a Chinese horse collectible is the perfect gift for most anyone, especially those aspiring to create that authentic Asian home decor!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please feel free to check out my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.