Wood Horse

This Wood Horse want's to travel to his homeland China to learn about the various mythologies in which is spoken of him. He want's to mingle with the Chinese locals, savour authentic Chinese cuisine and discover places he has never been before in this mysthic country. After his magnificent journey this Wood Horse wants to return to his stables, where he can share his stories with his owner. If he is lucky, he can be back before 19 February 2015, when the Wood Goat turns around the corner to claim his year. But who knows, he might get well acquainted with the Chinese culture and might stay a little while longer. Anyway, his owner will keep this Wood Horse's stable clean and comfortable until the day he returns.

May this coin bring a lot of Happiness and Fortune to the people who may hold this coin. If you like you can ride the back of this Wood Horse. Don't be afraid, he is used to people. As long as you help find him nice places along his journey and let him hear the most beautiful local myths and stories.

(it would be a good idea to post these photo's and stories when you log this coin, since his age makes his memory a bit.... unreliable :-D)

Kung hei fat choy! Happy Chinese new year!

The year 2014 includes the start of the Chinese Year of the Horse. The Horse is part of a 12-year-cycle of animals that make up the Chinese zodiac. These interact with the five elements: wood, metal, fire, water, and earth. This year is the year of the Wood Horse

For a description of the coin I would like to use the words of his designer, Christian Mackey:

On the face of the coin you can see a relief of a horse rampant with the traditional Chinese calligraphic symbol for horse to the right. The traditional script for Happiness above and Motion/Forward-Movement below are included as the prime Zodiac characteristics of people born under this auspicious sign. A traditional Chinese rail fence border surrounds and creates an outer border for the two-tone purple (primary color of this zodiac) highlighting the North East, North West and South West poles. The Chinese Zodiac began as a combination of fortune telling and directional guide and these 3 poles are the primary aspects for the sign of the Horse. The coin is 8 sided and is considered a lucky shape in the traditional Chinese culture for this reason. In Chinese Astrology the number 8 is considered the perfect numerical balance and the ideal state of being for all people.

On the reverse we have 2 (lucky number A for the year of the Horse) perfectly reflected horses (duality is very big) over the Zodiac Compass. From left to right clockwise we have 3 script words (lucky number B for the year of the Horse) stating Green, Wood and 31 (referring to the 31st Stem-Branch in the cycle of this counting system) as the three distinct aspects of the 2014 Horse year. These elements plus the Calla Lilies (the symbolic flower for the year of the horse) and the Yin Yang symbol make the critical 8 elements needed for a perfect harmonious balance. Written in traditional-simplified script across the entire back is the official Chinese year 4711 of their calendar.