What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac? Horses have 3; how to find success with them

Are your loved ones in luck this year? See our predictions for all the zodiac signs in the Year of the Horse. Have you ever experienced moments of friction in a partnership, or found yourself in frequent conflict within a close relationship? Your zodiac signs might hold a clue. In the Chinese zodiac, the 12 animals do not always live in harmony. There is an ancient framework within this tradition that determines which pairs will thrive and which may clash. For the Horse – symbolising energy, courage and untamed freedom – three animal signs are traditionally considered to present its greatest challenges: the Rat, Ox and interestingly, other Horses. Although such friction and misunderstandings can arise in daily life, there are still ways to overcome them. Through effective communication, mutual respect and strategic compromise, those born in the Year of the Horse can build harmonious relationships with their “enemy signs”. Here’s how. Rat In traditional Chinese astrology, the Horse and the Rat form one of the classic zodiac clashes – a relationship of inherent tension, often explained by their opposing natures. Rats are cunning and resourceful, while Horses are bold and freedom-loving. This fundamental difference in personality and world view can lead to repeated misunderstandings and friction, as they struggle to understand each other’s approach to life. As lovers, the relationship between a horse and a rat requires careful handling. Their contrasting style – one’s need for calculation and another’s desire for spontaneity – can easily spark arguments. To maintain harmony, neither should restrict or judge the other’s choices too much. Granting each other sufficient personal space and autonomy can prevent most conflicts. As business partners, the relationship can be particularly strained. Horses often feel restricted under a Rat’s oversight, while Rats may be stressed with Horses’ directness. If their duties do not overlap, there is no need to worry about it. However, if close cooperation is necessary, it is advisable to work with clearly defined, separate responsibilities to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Ox Unlike Horses, who value passion and freedom, people born in the Year of the Ox pursue stability and security, and they love a structured routine. Their differences in personality make conflicts more likely in daily life. As lovers, they often struggle to find common emotional ground. For example, an Ox man prefers a steady, gentle love that builds a warm family life, while a Horse woman tends to seek passionate romance and unexpected surprises. They are often called “a pair that torments each other”, as their paces are consistently out of sync. However, peaceful coexistence is not impossible. It requires greater effort and understanding, as well as embracing each other’s differences and finding shared interests and values. As business partners, they are far from ideal. Oxen may view Horses as too impulsive and reckless, while Horses may see Oxen as too conservative and stubborn. This can lead to conflicts at work, even arguments over trivial matters, making long-term cooperation challenging. Interestingly, in today’s Chinese internet culture, the compound term niu ma (ox horse) has been given brand new meaning. It is no longer a symbol of conflict, but has become a self-deprecating term for countless hardworking ordinary people. Horse You may be curious as to why the enemy sign of a Horse is sometimes another Horse. This is called wu wu zi xing (a Horse in self-conflict) in traditional Chinese culture. When the Horse sign encounters a Horse year (the Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17) or when two horses meet, it is similar to an internal clash of energies. This can lead to severe self-sabotage and restlessness. Therefore, people born in the Year of the Horse should pay more attention to managing their emotions and conserving their energy this year to avoid exhaustion. As lovers, a relationship between a female Horse and male Horse is often accompanied by disputes and quarrels. Though they are drawn to each other’s shared enthusiasm and optimism, their mutual unwillingness to be restrained can make the marriage feel like a cage. To build a lasting relationship, this pair needs to control their temper and channel more emotional investment into their partnership. Alternatively, a strategic compromise from either side can help establish a necessary balance. As business partners, however, two Horses can be ideal allies. They share similar drive, clear goals and the courage to face difficulties. Thus, they understand each other well and rarely experience internal friction due to problems of pace or direction, which makes long-term cooperation highly achievable.

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac? Horses have 3; how to find success with them

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Rat, Ox and Horse signs are considered ‘enemies’ of those born in a Year of the Horse. Here’s how to build good relationships with them

The Rat, Ox and Horse signs are considered ‘enemies’ of those born in a Year of the Horse. Here’s how to build good relationships with them