Xiaopan, have you seen the recently popular “Crying Horse”? It’s a little toy that has even been sold overseas.

Yes, I have! Its expression is really cute. I want to know, why do Chinese people like “horses” so much?

Actually, the character for “horse” already appeared in oracle bone script more than three thousand years ago. At that time, horses were important tools for war and delivering messages.

So it goes back that far! I read about the “Six Steeds of Zhaoling” in a history book. Emperor Taizong of Tang used them to commemorate his warhorses.

That’s right. Later, horses were not just tools anymore, they also came to represent a spirit. For example, the idioms “success comes the moment the horse arrives” and “the spirit of the dragon horse” both convey strength.

Even though today we have cars and high-speed rail, horses have turned into cultural and creative products, like the “Crying Horse,” and they are still very popular.

Yes. From ancient times to today, the horse represents hard work, speed, and hope. Culture changes, but the spirit has not changed.

I understand now. Reading history is like watching a horse run from ancient times to the present day.