Year of the Goat
The Year of the Goat is 羊年 (yáng nián), the 8th sign of the twelve. The most recent Goat year began on 19 February 2015 (2015). The next begins on 6 February 2027. The goat or sheep is a gentle, peaceful animal in Chinese culture, and the character 羊 is part of 美 (beautiful) and 祥 (auspicious). In its year you see it in the New Year greeting 三阳开泰, where 阳 sounds like 羊.
羊 covers goat and sheep alike; 山羊 is a goat and 绵羊 a sheep when you need to be specific.
Goat years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 6 February 2027 to 25 January 2028 | Fire Goat | 丁未 dīng wèi |
| 2015 | 19 February 2015 to 7 February 2016 | Wood Goat | 乙未 yǐ wèi |
| 2003 | 1 February 2003 to 21 January 2004 | Water Goat | 癸未 guǐ wèi |
| 1991 | 15 February 1991 to 3 February 1992 | Metal Goat | 辛未 xīn wèi |
| 1979 | 28 January 1979 to 15 February 1980 | Earth Goat | 己未 jǐ wèi |
| 1967 | 9 February 1967 to 29 January 1968 | Fire Goat | 丁未 dīng wèi |
Born in January or February of one of these years? You may belong to the previous animal: check the start date, or use the calculator.
The Goat in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be gentle
- associated with creativity and calm
- said to be kind and compassionate
- sometimes described as indecisive
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属羊 | wǒ shǔ yáng | I was born in the Year of the Goat | 属 + animal gives your sign |
| 羊年 | yáng nián | the Year of the Goat (or Sheep) | animal + 年 names the year |
| 山羊 | shān yáng | goat | literally mountain 羊 |
| 绵羊 | mián yáng | sheep | the woolly kind; 绵 suggests soft |
Idioms with 羊
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 亡羊补牢 | wáng yáng bǔ láo | to mend the pen after losing a sheep | It is not too late to fix a problem once you have suffered from it. |
| 顺手牵羊 | shùn shǒu qiān yáng | to lead a sheep away in passing | To steal something because the chance came up. |
| 羊入虎口 | yáng rù hǔ kǒu | a sheep in the tiger's mouth | To walk into great danger. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Rabbit 兔 and Pig 猪. Secret friend (六合): Horse 马. Clash (六冲): Ox 牛. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- Year of the Rat
- Year of the Ox
- Year of the Tiger
- Year of the Rabbit
- Year of the Dragon
- Year of the Snake
- Year of the Horse
- Year of the Monkey
- Year of the Rooster
- Year of the Dog
- Year of the Pig
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
Is it the Year of the Goat or the Year of the Sheep?
Both translations are correct, because 羊 covers goats and sheep and Chinese does not choose between them. Ram is also used.
Is the Year of the Goat unlucky?
Some people hold a folk belief that it is a less fortunate year to be born in, but many others reject it, and 羊 is part of lucky characters like 祥. It is superstition, not fact.
What years are Goat years?
Goat years include 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later: the next is 2027, starting 6 February 2027.
Which signs suit the Goat?
Tradition names Rabbit 兔 and Pig 猪 as the best matches, Horse 马 as the secret friend and Ox 牛 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Goat" in Chinese?
我属羊 (wǒ shǔ yáng). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 羊 year.
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