Strengths
- Gentle and kind
- Creative and artistic
- Calm and easygoing
- Loyal to those it trusts
Chinese zodiac 羊: Year of the Goat (Sheep or Ram)
The Goat, also called the Sheep or Ram, is the eighth Chinese zodiac animal, associated in tradition with gentleness, creativity and calm.
The next Year of the Goat is the Fire Goat, from Saturday 6 February 2027. Chinese New Year 2027
- Chinese
- 羊 yáng
- Earthly Branch
- 未 Wèi
- Fixed element
- Earth
- Polarity
- Yin
- Hours
- 13:00–15:00
Goat years, 1900–2100
Each Goat year starts at Chinese New Year, so birthdays in January or early February of these years may belong to the previous animal. Check the exact dates:
| Year | From – to | Element |
|---|---|---|
| 1907 | 13 Feb 1907 – 1 Feb 1908 | Fire Goat 丁未 |
| 1919 | 1 Feb 1919 – 19 Feb 1920 | Earth Goat 己未 |
| 1931 | 17 Feb 1931 – 5 Feb 1932 | Metal Goat 辛未 |
| 1943 | 5 Feb 1943 – 24 Jan 1944 | Water Goat 癸未 |
| 1955 | 24 Jan 1955 – 11 Feb 1956 | Wood Goat 乙未 |
| 1967 | 9 Feb 1967 – 29 Jan 1968 | Fire Goat 丁未 |
| 1979 | 28 Jan 1979 – 15 Feb 1980 | Earth Goat 己未 |
| 1991 | 15 Feb 1991 – 3 Feb 1992 | Metal Goat 辛未 |
| 2003 | 1 Feb 2003 – 21 Jan 2004 | Water Goat 癸未 |
| 2015 | 19 Feb 2015 – 7 Feb 2016 | Wood Goat 乙未 |
| 2027 | 6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028 | Fire Goat 丁未 |
| 2039 | 24 Jan 2039 – 11 Feb 2040 | Earth Goat 己未 |
| 2051 | 11 Feb 2051 – 31 Jan 2052 | Metal Goat 辛未 |
| 2063 | 29 Jan 2063 – 16 Feb 2064 | Water Goat 癸未 |
| 2075 | 15 Feb 2075 – 4 Feb 2076 | Wood Goat 乙未 |
| 2087 | 3 Feb 2087 – 23 Jan 2088 | Fire Goat 丁未 |
| 2099 | 21 Jan 2099 – 8 Feb 2100 | Earth Goat 己未 |
The Goat in Chinese astrology
The Goat is the eighth animal of the Chinese zodiac and corresponds to the Earthly Branch wèi. The Chinese character 羊 (yáng) covers both goats and sheep, so the sign is also called the Sheep or the Ram in English. In the Great Race the Goat is said to have shared a raft with the Monkey and the Rooster, the three working together to reach the far bank, where the Goat arrived eighth.
In Chinese astrology the Goat is associated with kindness, creativity and a peaceful nature. Goat-born people are traditionally described as gentle, artistic and sympathetic, with a strong sense of beauty and a wish to live in harmony with others. They are said to value comfort and security and to do their best work when they feel supported. The Goat is a yin sign, and Earth is its fixed element.
Challenges
- Prone to worry
- Can be indecisive
- Needs reassurance
- Avoids confrontation
In love
Traditional readings describe the Goat as a romantic, caring partner who values tenderness, loyalty and a peaceful home. It is said to need a partner who offers security and patience in return, and to give warmth freely once it feels safe. Classical rules place the Goat in a trine with the Rabbit and the Pig and name the Horse as its secret friend, while the Ox is its clash sign.
At work
In tradition the Goat brings imagination, care and a good eye to its work. It is associated with creative and caring roles – design, the arts, teaching, gardening or any setting where kindness and taste matter. The Goat is said to work best in a harmonious team with clear support, and to find harsh competition or constant pressure hard going.
The five kinds of Goat
Wood Goat
A Wood Goat is said to be especially kind and generous, with a strong wish to help and a gentle sense of humour.
1955, 2015, 2075
Fire Goat
A Fire Goat is traditionally more confident and expressive than other Goats – warm, creative and quicker to take the lead.
1907, 1967, 2027, 2087
Earth Goat
Earth is the Goat's own fixed element, so an Earth Goat is said to be the steadiest and most dependable Goat, careful and loyal.
1919, 1979, 2039, 2099
Metal Goat
A Metal Goat is described as more determined and self-assured, pairing the Goat's sensitivity with inner strength.
1931, 1991, 2051
Water Goat
A Water Goat is associated with charm and adaptability, easygoing, perceptive and good at reading people.
1943, 2003, 2063
Goat compatibility
- Trine (San He)
- Rabbit, Pig One of the four groups of three animals four years apart, traditionally the most harmonious match.
- Six Harmonies (Liu He)
- Horse A “secret friend” pair, traditionally supportive and complementary.
- Clash (Liu Chong)
- Ox Opposite animals six years apart, traditionally the most challenging pairing.
- Harm (Liu Hai)
- Rat A pair traditionally said to cause friction or misunderstandings.
Questions and answers
Is the Goat the same as the Sheep or the Ram?
Yes. The eighth sign is written 羊 (yáng), a Chinese character that covers goats, sheep and rams alike, so all three English names refer to the same zodiac animal. Goat is the name most English sources use today, with Sheep a close second.
What is the Goat's element?
The Goat's fixed element is Earth, and it is a yin sign. Each Goat year also takes an element from its Heavenly Stem, so the 60-year cycle includes Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Goats, and every Goat year is a yin year.
Which animals are compatible with the Goat?
By classical rules the Goat shares a trine (San He) with the Rabbit and the Pig and forms a Six Harmonies (Liu He) pair with the Horse. It clashes (Liu Chong) with the Ox, its opposite in the cycle, and its Six Harms (Liu Hai) partner is the Rat.