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— The Year of the Horse and the Symbol of “Life in Motion”—

Happy New Year from Japan! 
As we welcome 2026, I would like to share the New Year card I drew for the Year of the Horse, one of the 12 zodiac animals, as well as its hidden messages.

In this article, I share:
(1) the meaning behind this year’s New Year card, and
(2) the answers to the hidden words from last year’s Year of the Snake illustration.

2026: The Year of the Horse and the Symbol of “活”

Our 2026 New Year artwork is inspired by the Horse and the theme “活”, meaning vitality, action, and life in motion. The Horse symbolizes moving forward, taking action, and staying connected to our own rhythm.

This year’s message is about living actively, not perfectly—
moving, stopping, and moving again, as we find our own way. These ideas are embedded in the illustration—along with a few hidden messages.

How many hidden messages can we find in this year’s horse?

Looking Back: The Hidden Words from the 2025 Year of the Snake

The 2025 Snake artwork included 10 hidden keywords within the illustration.
They reflected inner growth, quiet preparation, and transformation beneath the surface.
The snake symbolizes transformation and renewal.

(1) 2025
(2) へび
(3) Next
(4) Girt
(5) 3L
(6) 己
(7) Exist
(8) つる
(9) つよい
(10) ♾️

Let’s take at each of them. Interestingly, some readers discovered words the creator had not consciously intended—a reminder that learning and meaning are often co-created.

Original drawing

(1) 2025

(2) へび

(3) Next

(4) Girt

(5) 3L

(6) 己

(7) Exist

(8) つる

(9) つよい

(10) ♾️

The learning of this time 

Interestingly, I have been drawing these zodiac illustrations for many years now, and we are approaching the completion of the 12-animal cycle. What started as a small personal tradition has gradually become a shared space for reflection and learning.