Chinese Zodiac: Goat
Yin-yang: Yin
Symbolic qualities
- creative
- compassionate
- kind
- artistic
The Goat (also called the Sheep) is the symbol of creativity that is sensitive to beauty and peace. It is compassionate and close to art and nature. Its shadow side is indecision and slipping into worry.
The inward, receptive, nurturing side. In yin years the element is expressed in a calmer, deeper way.
Cultural note
The Chinese character 羊 covers both sheep and goat, which is why the animal's name changes between renderings. The same character sits inside 祥 (auspicious) and adds a note of good wishes to the flock animal.
Things you might reflect on
- How do you bring the beauty that nourishes you into daily life?
- On a matter you feel undecided about, what could a small first step be?
- Do you turn your compassion towards yourself as well?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1907 · Fire · 13 February 1907
- 1919 · Earth · 1 February 1919
- 1931 · Metal · 17 February 1931
- 1943 · Water · 5 February 1943
- 1955 · Wood · 24 January 1955
- 1967 · Fire · 9 February 1967
- 1979 · Earth · 28 January 1979
- 1991 · Metal · 15 February 1991
- 2003 · Water · 1 February 2003
- 2015 · Wood · 19 February 2015
- 2027 · Fire · 6 February 2027
- 2039 · Earth · 24 January 2039
- 2051 · Metal · 11 February 2051
- 2063 · Water · 29 January 2063
- 2075 · Wood · 15 February 2075
- 2087 · Fire · 3 February 2087
- 2099 · Earth · 21 January 2099
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Goat
- Wood roots into earth: the goat is more enterprising and creative. Its artistic bent turns into output.
- Fire Goat
- Fire feeds earth: warm, cheerful, open to art and sharing. It lives its feelings more visibly.
- Earth Goat
- The goat doubled in its own element: the need for peace and security stands out. It may draw on routines against indecision and worry.
- Metal Goat
- Earth gives birth to metal: compassion joins care for detail. A graceful, meticulous and durable creativity.
- Water Goat
- Earth channels water: sensitivity deepens and intuition grows. It looks for firm ground against emotional waves.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.