Chinese Zodiac Goat

The Goat (or Sheep) occupies the eighth position among the animals of the Chinese zodiac, after the Horse and before the Monkey. The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with an animal representing each year. In order, the 12 zodiac animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Chinese people believe that a person’s personality is closely related to his/her Chinese zodiac sign. People born under the Chinese zodiac animal Goat are said to be polite, calm, gentle, sympathetic, creative, and reserved.

The last year of the Goat was 2015. The next year of the Goat will be 2027, to be more specific, a Fire Goat year. Chinese Lunar New Year starts from February 6, 2027, and lasts until January 25, 2028.

However, is it the Year of the Goat, Sheep, Ram? The confusion relates to the Chinese character "羊" (yáng) which is defined as a ruminant mammal generally with horns on its head. Yang covers goat, sheep, antelope, gazelle, etc. Therefore, both of the Year of the Goat and the Year of the Sheep are correct.

Chinese Zodiac Goat Years – Am I a Goat?

The Chinese zodiac is part of a complex system of Chinese astrology. The twelve zodiac animal signs cycle year by year. For those born under the Goat zodiac sign, your Chinese zodiac year comes when you are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84...

Chinese zodiac Goat years include 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, and 2050. People born in the years above are most often born in a Goat year. But anyone born in early February of 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, etc. Should pay close attention. Your Chinese zodiac animal sign can be Goat or Monkey.

According to traditional Chinese culture, the starting date of a Chinese zodiac year is set by Lichun instead of the Chinese New Year. Lichun (立春), the start of spring, is the first solar term of the 24 Solar Terms of the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually falls on February 3, 4, or 5 of the Gregorian calendar. For example, if you were born on February 3, 1979, your Chinese zodiac sign is Horse instead of Goat, even though the Chinese New Year 1979 fell on January 28, 1979.

As you may know, the Gregorian calendar usually does not line up with the Chinese lunisolar calendar. If you were born on February 3, 4, or 5, you need to confirm your Chinese zodiac animal by checking the date of Lichun of the year you were born. Or just check out the following table of Chinese zodiac years of Goat to determine your correct zodiac sign.

Recent Chinese Zodiac Goat Years

Chinese Zodiac Calculator

Chinese Zodiac Goat in Chinese Culture

In the Chinese zodiac, the Goat is not a favorite zodiac. It’s been said that people born in the year of the Goat will have a hard life, especially for females. So many Chinese people avoid delivering a baby in a Goat year. This theory has been controversial because some Chinese folk experts say there’s a misunderstanding during the spreading in history.

The year of the Goat is actually a good year as the goat itself represents very good and lucky meanings in Chinese culture since ancient times. In addition, the Goat year is the eighth of the Chinese zodiac years. We all know how many Chinese people love the number eight. Read on to learn more symbolic meanings of the Chinese zodiac animal Goat in Chinese culture.

1. Symbol of Good Luck

In ancient China, the Chinese character for goat "羊" (yáng) equaled to character for auspicious "祥" (xiáng). The term for auspicious "吉祥" was also written as "吉羊" (auspicious goat). Goat is a symbol of good luck in traditional Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese people hung goat heads on the door lintels at the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. They also sent goats as gifts to one another. Moreover, goats were served as betrothal gifts for the bride to symbolize good luck.

"羊" was also related to the character "阳" in ancient times. Three goats under the sunshine is a favorite subject of traditional Chinese brush painting, implying the auspicious Chinese term "三阳开泰". Three goats (三羊) represents three suns (三阳).

The term "三阳开泰" is derived from the hexagrams of the Yijing (易经, The Book of Changes). The hexagram Tai ䷊ (泰卦) has three yin lines on the top and three yang lines on the bottom, symbolizing good luck is coming. Chinese people greet one another with "三阳开泰" during the Chinese New Year festival to wish each other good fortune and prosperity in the new year.

2. Symbol of Beauty

The goat is naturally beautiful. Ancient Chinese regarded the goat as a symbol of purity and preciousness. In China, the original meaning and aesthetic consciousness of beauty originated from eating delicious food. The written Chinese character for beauty "美" (měi) is composed of "羊" on the upper part and "大" (dà, meaning big) on the lower. It means the big goat is beautiful. The initial sense of beauty was from the taste of goat meat. Taste aesthetics is a precedent for other aesthetics of human beings.

3. Symbol of Filial Piety

When a baby goat goes to drink milk from its mother, it will kneel beneath its mother. Ancient Chinese thought the gesture shows the gratitude of the baby goat, which is explained as 孝 (xiào, filial peity). In Chinese traditions, filial piety is the most important moral tenet.

4. City of the Goat

In China, Guangzhou is also called "Goat City" and "City of Five Goats". Legend says that five immortals rode five heavenly goats to the ancient Guangzhou city. They brought rice, grain, wheat, etc. to local people and saved the city in a time of famine. The five immortals were gone by clouds, and the five goats turned into stone goats, standing at the foot of the hill. This is how Guangzhou got its nicknames. In 2007, the legend was collected into the first batch of the representative list of Guangzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Lucky and Unlucky Things for People Born in the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Goat

Things to Bring Goat Good Luck

Lucky numbers: 2, 5, 8, 9, and numbers containing 2, 5, 8, 9 such as 28 and 98

Lucky colors: yellow, brown, red, pink, purple

Lucky flower: carnations, primroses

Lucky directions: south, southwest

Lucky months: the 3rd to 6th, 9th, 12th Chinese lunar months

Things to Bring Goat Bad Luck

Unlucky numbers: 4, 6, 7, and numbers containing 2, 5, 8, 9 such as 64 and 47

Unlucky colors: green, gold

Unlucky direction: east, west, northwest

Unlucky months: the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th Chinese lunar months

Chinese Zodiac Goat Traits: Gentle, Calm, Kind...

Occupying the 8th position in the Chinese zodiac, the Goat is a docile animal like the Rabbit. It symbolizes calmness, kindness, harmony, and creativity. Like how the western zodiac works, it’s believed that those born in a Goat year take on the particular characteristics of the Goat.

Among all Chinese zodiac animals, Goats are the most affectionate. Goat people are righteous, kind, and empathetic. They are also good-natured and even shy. They tend to be elegant artists or creative workers at their best, while they easily become passive and pessimistic in adversity.

People born in the Chinese zodiac year of Goat are naturally gentle, amiable, generous, and compassionate. They like interacting with people and treating others with sincerity. They also can easily forgive others by understanding other people's difficulties. Because of their elegant and kind personalities, Goat people are well connected and liked by others.

In terms of work, Goat people are great hands. Under the mild surface are their persevere and resilient traits. They can stand hard work and complete tasks successfully. But Goats don’t like strict restrictions and cannot be strict with themselves.

At the same time, people born in the Year of the Goat are easy to feel inferior and pessimistic. Their understanding of themselves is confusing. They need emotional support from friends very much. Another negative trait of Goats is that they are indecisive when encountering difficulties and likely to be guided by destiny.

Strengths of Goat

Goat people are gentle, kind, compassionate.

They are cautious, reliable, thoughtful, and caring.

Ambitious, hardworking, and meticulous.

Goats are cordial, sociable, and popular among friends.

Talented, artistic, creative, and full of imagination.

They are frugal, economical, and do not waste at will.

Weakness of Goat

Goats are pessimistic, sentimental, easy to think negatively.

Inwardly very stubborn but outwardly yielding and timid.

Goat people are indecisive and submit to the will of Heaven.

Dependent and like to be looked after by others.

They are too shy to seize good opportunities to express themselves.

Male Goat Characteristics

In Chinese zodiac signs, male Goats are typical gentlemen. They are gentle, kind-hearted, generous, and family-oriented. They don’t hold grudges. People under the Goat zodiac sign also like to interact with others and make new friends. They have a unique aesthetic vision too.

Their shortcoming is that male Goats are too pessimistic to see the positive side of things. At work, they are often hesitant when facing choices. Their indecision and lack of opinions make them hard to show their advantages. They also put too much importance on their relationship with others. Even if they are hurt, they are not willing to destroy it easily.

Female Goat Characteristics

Women born under the Goat zodiac sign are warm-hearted, easygoing, and very caring. They appear to be gentle on the surface, but they are very tough inside. They are strong in perseverance and insist on self-pursuit. Female Goats don’t like to argue with others. When they disagree with others, they will insist on their own opinions.

At the same time, Goat women are subjective, stubborn, and paranoid. They pay too much attention to the first impression, making them unable to fully and objectively understand a person. They show extreme personalities at times, sometimes happy, sometimes pessimistic.

Chinese Zodiac Goat Five Elements for Five Personalities

Zodiac Goat Love Compatibility – Your Most Compatible Zodiacs

Chinese astrology is a complex system. By reading an individual’s Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) chart, an astrologer can read a person’s destiny, personality, and compatibility with others. 

The compatibility of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals is derived from the inter-promotion and interaction of twelve Dizhi (地支, Earthly Branches). Zodiac animal Goats are most compatible with Pig, Rabbits, and Horse, and least compatible with Ox and Rat. 

Best Matches: Pig, Rabbit, Horse

The zodiac sign Goat is associated with the Earthly Branch wei (未, wèi). According to Chinese astrology, the Pig, the Rabbit, and the Goat are one of the four trines of the San He (三合, Three Harmonies) groups. People under the Goat zodiac sign usually do best with people born in the year of the Pig and Rabbit. The Goat and the Horse are one pair of the Liu He (六合, Six Harmonies) groups. So Goat people are also very compatible with Horse people. 

Normally, Three Harmonies is better than Six Harmonies. As such, the Goat best matches the Rabbit and the Pig, while the Horse is the second-best compatibility for the Goat.

Least Matches: Ox, Rat

The Goat and the Ox are in the same group of the Earthly Branches Liu Chong (六冲, Six Conflicting) groups. They are not suitable for a long-term relationship with each other. Both of them are too stubborn to take a step back. 

The Goat and the Rat are in the same group of the Liu Hai (六害, Six Harming) groups. So Goat Rat compatibility is also challenging. Goat people and Rat people have very different personalities. If they want to get along with each other, major compromise is required.

Moreover, the Goat, the Dog, and the Ox are in the samle group of the San Xing (三刑, Three Punishment) groups. This punishment group is called “ungrateful punishment”. Though all of their Wuxing (五行, Five Elements) are earth (土), they are not naturally suited.

Goat’s Compatibility with 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals

Guide for Goats’ Career

Goat people are not dominant, so they prefer to work in a team. The most suitable jobs for people born in a year of the Goat are those that are thoughtful, considerate and optimistic. They are talented and sensitive with a good sense of aesthetics, they are also fit for the arts. Good career options for Goat people include artist, actor, interior, designer, illustrator, publishing editor, writer, hairstylist, and teacher.

Zodiac Goats’ Horoscope in 2026 the Year of Horse

In 2026, the overall horoscope of the Sheep will be full of challenges, but also many hidden opportunities. Maintaining a flexible approach is crucial to seizing these opportunities and reaping substantial rewards. This year, they will receive the protection of benefactors, easily resolving various disputes and troubles in the workplace, thus laying a more solid foundation for their future career development.

Those born in the Chinese zodiac Year of the Snake should maintain a calm and rational mind this year. When faced with large-sum financial products, they should be cautious or withdraw from them promptly. Influenced by the ominous star "Widow Star," the Snake may encounter jealousy and interference from petty people when they achieve certain successes. Therefore, they should be more careful in all matters, avoid flaunting their wealth, and refrain from being overly arrogant.

Career

For the Goat, their career development in 2026 is generally stable. Especially in the first half of the year, they will be blessed by the auspicious stars of the Sun and Tian De Gui Ren, allowing them to shine at work and gain recognition from their superiors.

However, they should also be cautious of treacherous people around them and avoid falling into their traps due to momentary negligence. In the second half of the year, they need to keep a cool head, avoid being overly aggressive or taking shortcuts. Only by making silent efforts in their current positions can they maintain the current situation.

Wealth

In the new year, the Sheep will be in harmony with the Tai Sui (Grand Duke Jupiter), leading to a significant increase in wealth. Whether employed or self-employed, Sheep individuals can expect substantial gains. While it's good to have high expectations, it's crucial not to be overly excited about the arrival of wealth. Avoid flaunting your finances to prevent close friends and family from asking for loans, which could lead to difficulties in recovering the money lent out.

Furthermore, it's crucial to remain calm when facing high-risk investment activities. Carefully plan every expense and avoid carelessness to prevent money from coming and going quickly..

Health

The Goat will enter 2026 with the auspicious “Sun” star in their ascendant, bringing abundant opportunities for travel and business trips. However, be mindful of unexpected risks during journeys. It is advisable to purchase health insurance in advance, thoroughly research the weather conditions at your destination, and familiarize yourself with other precautions to avoid complications or safety issues.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, extremely cautiou in 2026 and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Why not travel with companions? Assistance is available should unexpected dangers arise.

Moreover, the Goat should drive with extra caution in 2026. And it is a good idea to undergo a comprehensive physical examination to gain a clearer understanding of your personal health status.

Love & Relationship

Entering 2026, the romantic relationships of those born in the Year of the Sheep will also become very smooth. For single Sheep, the blessings of the auspicious stars signify perfect harmony. In an unexpected moment, they may find their long-desired partner and fall in love at first sight. The other person's values and appearance will meet the Sheep's expectations, allowing the two to smoothly come together and eventually enter into marriage.

For married people born in the Year of the Goat, 2026 will also be filled with warmth and sweetness, and the relationship between them will become increasingly close.

Zodiac Goat Famous People

Thomas Edison: born on February 11, 1847, Fire Goat

Rupert Murdoch: born on March 11 (the 23rd day of the first lunar month), 1931, Metal Goat

Bill Gates: born on October 28 (the 13th day of the ninth lunar month), 1955, Wood Goat

Steve Jobs: born on February 24 (the 3rd day of the second lunar month), 1955, Wood Goat

Nicole Kidman: born on June 20 (the 13th day of the fifth lunar month), 1967, Fire Goat

Julia Roberts: born on October 28 (the 25th day of the ninth lunar month), 1967, Fire Goat

Chinese Zodiac Goat Vocabulary & Idioms