Seoul exhibition explores centuries of human-equine history

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - The National Folk Museum of Korea has launched a comprehensive exhibition to commemorate the Year of the Red Horse, exploring the deep-seated historical and cultural bonds between humans and horses.

The exhibition, which opened on Dec. 16 and is scheduled to run through March 2, examines how horses transitioned from essential tools of survival to significant figures in global mythology and belief systems.

For centuries, horses served as a primary means of transportation and labor. However, the museum’s curation goes beyond utility, tracing the animal’s evolution into a cultural icon.

The displays feature artifacts and historical records that highlight the horse's prominent place in the human imagination, illustrating its role as both a companion in daily life and a symbol of power and spiritual significance.

Curators say the collection offers visitors a chance to revisit the changing dynamics of the human-equine relationship across different eras, showcasing the horse's enduring legacy in the modern age.

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Visitors view exhibits at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Horse-related artifacts are displayed at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Horse-related artifacts are displayed at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Horse-related artifacts are displayed at a special exhibition marking the Year of the Red Horse, The Famous Feast of the Horse, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 5, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Yoo Na-hyun Reporter shooting@ajupress.com

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