January 31, 2014 began 马年 mǎnián, year of the horse. (The previous year was snake; the next, sheep.)
马年 is the seventh year in the 12-year cycle. It corresponds to 午 wǔ, the seventh of the 12 地支 dìzhī earthly branches (子丑寅卯辰巳午未申酉戌亥).
Other years of the horse include: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906.
See the whole 12-year cycle!