Chinese man crafts equine figure from 2,600 metres of aluminium to celebrate Year of the Horse

A Shandong man crafted a mythical equine figure from over 2,600 metre of aluminium to celebrate the Year of the Horse. - Photo: chinanews.com.cn

BEIJING: A man in China has used more than 2,600 metres of aluminium thread to weave a horse ornament as a gesture to welcome the Year of the Horse.

The golden figurine is named Mythical Horse Embracing Auspiciousness according to its creator, Yang Guang.

Its front two legs are lifted high, two back legs stand on the ground and its head is turned back. The animal’s saddle and the bridle are vibrant in colour.

Yang Guang touches the finely crafted muzzle of his carefully put together horse. - Photo: ChinaNews

Yang, an aluminium artist based in Qingzhou of Shandong province, eastern China, told the media outlet Fengxian Video that he spent half a month creating the piece, which is the largest one he has ever made.

Yang said aluminium thread is expensive, but he did not reveal the price of the horse figurine.

Aluminium art is a folk craftsmanship found in Qingzhou. It has a history dating back to the North Song dynasty (960–1127).

Craftsmen mainly use aluminium threads, along with other materials like iron and copper. They use tools like pliers and scissors.

Yang puts the final touches to his work of colourful work of art. - Photo: ChinaNews

It has been included in the non-intangible cultural heritage list by the Qingzhou municipal government, while Yang is the aluminium art inheritor recognised by the authorities.

Yang said he plans to make more horses of various sizes and forms.

It is not the first time that Yang weaves zodiac animals.

In 2024, which is the Year of the Dragon, he created a golden dragon named the Golden Dragon Flying in the Prosperous World. He said he sold 100 such pieces a day.

The latest piece to celebrate Year of the Horse is just one of many, such as the two above, which have been made by Yang. - Photo: ChinaNews

In 2024, Yang was invited to South Korea to teach local children the traditional Chinese art of metal thread weaving.

In February of last year, he created a large figurine of Ne Zha, a young boy in Chinese mythology who has formidable power and fights against his fate of being evil and violent, as the animated film Ne Zha 2 became a blockbuster.

Yang stands proudly alongside his latest colourful creation. - Photo: ChinaNews

2026 is the Year of the Horse, according to the Chinese zodiac system.

The horse is generally liked by the public as it is believed to contain numerous positive connotations such as vitality, strength, creation and honesty.

People favour the creature so much that many of them choose to have babies in the Year of the Horse.

Xinhua reported in mid-January that three teachers in northeastern Heilongjiang province drew a horse on a large piece of land, covering an area of 5,000 sq m. - South China Morning Post