Years of the Goat 1955 · 1967 · 1979 · 1991 · 2003 · 2015 · 2027

The Year of the Goat comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat, which begins on 6 Feb 2027.

Every 12 years
Next: 2027
Sign: 8th of 12

Year of the Goat chart

The table shows every Year of the Goat from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

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.

When is the next Year of the Goat?

The next Year of the Goat is 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat. It runs from 6 Feb 2027 to 25 Jan 2028. After that the Goat returns in 2039.

What each element means for the Goat

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Goat’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Goat year comes round, everyone born under the Goat is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Goat guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Goat questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Goat?

The Years of the Goat are 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 and 2039. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Goat?

The next Year of the Goat is 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat. It runs from 6 Feb 2027 to 25 Jan 2028.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.