羊Chinese zodiac · 8th sign
Year of the Goat 羊 (yáng) · Gentle, creative and stronger than they look
The Goat, also called the Sheep or Ram, is the eighth sign. People born in a Goat year are kind, artistic and quietly resilient.
- Yin sign
- Fixed element: Earth
- Hours: 1pm–3pm
- Branch: 未 wèi
Recent years
2003 · 2015 · 2027
Lucky numbers
2, 7
Lucky colors
Green, red, purple
Lucky flowers
Carnation, primrose
Best matches
Rabbit, Pig, Horse
Challenging matches
Ox, Rat
Year of the Goat dates
The Year of the Goat comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Metal Goat is not quite the same as a Water Goat.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | 17 Feb 1931 – 5 Feb 1932 | Metal Goat | 辛未 (xīn wèi) |
| 1943 | 5 Feb 1943 – 24 Jan 1944 | Water Goat | 癸未 (guǐ wèi) |
| 1955 | 24 Jan 1955 – 11 Feb 1956 | Wood Goat | 乙未 (yǐ wèi) |
| 1967 | 9 Feb 1967 – 29 Jan 1968 | Fire Goat | 丁未 (dīng wèi) |
| 1979 | 28 Jan 1979 – 15 Feb 1980 | Earth Goat | 己未 (jǐ wèi) |
| 1991 | 15 Feb 1991 – 3 Feb 1992 | Metal Goat | 辛未 (xīn wèi) |
| 2003 | 1 Feb 2003 – 21 Jan 2004 | Water Goat | 癸未 (guǐ wèi) |
| 2015 | 19 Feb 2015 – 7 Feb 2016 | Wood Goat | 乙未 (yǐ wèi) |
| 2027 | 6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028 | Fire Goat | 丁未 (dīng wèi) |
| 2039 | 24 Jan 2039 – 11 Feb 2040 | Earth Goat | 己未 (jǐ wèi) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Goat personality
Goats are calm, sympathetic and thoughtful. They have a strong creative streak and a real feel for beauty. They prefer to work as part of a group rather than lead it, and they worry more than they let on.
Strengths
- Kind and empathetic
- Creative and artistic
- Patient and persevering
- Natural peacemaker
Weaknesses
- Indecisive
- Prone to worry
- Avoids confrontation
- Can lean on others for reassurance
The five types of Goat
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Goat’s own fixed element is Earth, and each Goat year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Goat love and compatibility
Goats are tender, devoted partners who need security and encouragement. In a stable relationship they are endlessly giving.
In Chinese astrology the Goat gets on best with the Rabbit, Pig and Horse. The Ox is the Goat’s opposite sign, and the Rat can also be a testing match.
Goat career and wellbeing
Career and money
Goats flourish in supportive environments where creativity and care are valued. They are better collaborators than competitors.
- Arts, music and design
- Healthcare and caring roles
- Teaching
- Gardening, food and craft
Health and wellbeing
Goats are sensitive to atmosphere. Calm surroundings, creative outlets and time in nature ease their tendency to worry.
Lucky numbers: 2, 7. Lucky colors: green, red, purple. Lucky flowers: Carnation, primrose.
The Goat in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
The Horse is the Goat’s secret friend, so help tends to arrive when it is needed. 2026 is a good year for partnerships.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
This is the Goat’s own zodiac year, known as běn mìng nián (本命年). Tradition treats it as a year of change that calls for extra care, and many people wear something red for protection.
The Goat in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Goat, Monkey and Rooster crossed the river together on a raft, and the gentle Goat was given eighth place.
The Goat is the 8th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 未 (wèi), the hours 1pm–3pm and Yin energy.
Goat questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Goat?
Recent Years of the Goat are 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 and 2027. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Goat’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Goat are traditionally gentle, creative and compassionate. Goats are calm, sympathetic and thoughtful.
Who is the Goat most compatible with?
The Goat is most compatible with the Rabbit, Pig and Horse. The most challenging matches are the Ox and Rat.
What are the Goat’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Goat’s lucky numbers are 2, 7 and its lucky colors are green, red, purple. Numbers traditionally avoided are 4, 9, and colors to avoid are gold, blue.
What element is the Goat?
The Goat’s fixed element is Earth. In addition, every Goat year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Goat, Fire Goat, Earth Goat, Metal Goat and Water Goat.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.
