The Dala Horse (Swedish: Dalahast) is a traditional carved and painted wooden horse originating from the Swedish province of Dalarna. The Dala Horse has come to represent Dalarna and Sweden in general. Dala Horses can be traced back to the 17th century, when wooden horses were carved as children's toys. The craft of making Dala horses became more established in the 19th century, and they were sold as souvenirs to tourists. The Dala Horse is still handcrafted today using traditional methods and is popular as a decorative item and symbol of Swedish folk culture.