Is It the Year of the Sheep, Goat, or Ram?
Some may call 2015 the year of the sheep or ram because the Chinese word “Yang” is the symbol of the Goat Year. China Highlights writes:
In Chinese the word 羊 (yáng) is a generic term, and can refer to a sheep (绵羊), goat (山羊), ram/buck (公羊 male sheep or goat), 羚羊 (antelope), etc. There is a lack of clear definition on the zodiac “Goat” in Chinese history. However, most Chinese people and experts on folklore believe that the Chinese zodiac animal is the Goat, not the Sheep, and they have some evidence to support their idea
- Firstly, the Chinese zodiac is an invention of the Han Nationality, and goats were widely raised by the Han people (unlike sheep), so the zodiac animal is more likely to refer to a goat.
- Secondly, a Goat image often appears on Chinese zodiac stamps, New Year paper cuttings, and New Year paintings (not a sheep).
- Thirdly, the Goat was one of the 12 bronze statues of the Chinese zodiac at the Old Summer Palace. Although its head was lost, its present reproduction according to historical records is the image of a goat.
Year of the Goat (Sheep) 2015
The Goat (Sheep) is a Yin energy, a symbol of Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquility. That is the primary and fundamental mood for this year. Though there are cries for War and a countdown is soon to begin, if any almanac serves me well – War will be averted and a period of mending and compromise will be undertaken to ensure Peace is maintained.
The Goat is the symbol of the Arts. It relates to passive and nurturing times. It will help the healing process with regard to past events caused by individuals who have little respect for the human race or life itself. It will be a year of banding together in faith and in belief that good will prevail and win out over the forces that refuse to comply to a peaceful way of life. For those who trust in goodness, happiness and success will follow.
The emphasis will be on joining forces in order to fight the evil and destruction that has been brewing. With the planet Saturn into the sign Scorpio and the planet Pluto in its long stay in the sign Capricorn, there will be greater concern with structure, getting back to basics and using greater intuition to find solutions to problems that have been plaguing the world for some time.
Much will depends on this – the balance of international economy and social harmony is in peace. The call for war is not a step to be taken lightly. Though sabers are rattling on either side, as the calming vapours of the Sheep year spreads over the Nations, sentiments will be kindled and wisdom will prevail. Fate will send emissaries to change the faces of aggression towards a more Peaceful compromise. It does not kill the doubts, anger or desire for violence, but it puts a blanket of constrain over it.
So will it be among family members and bitter economic rivals. Many will look into their hearts and souls and wonder at past passionate grievances and the realisation that the road to harmony and economic strength is through peaceful rather than violent ways.
On the family front, it will be a time to unite and instil loyalty and discipline. Angers will cool and decisions that will disrupt family harmony will be laid aside to give it time to heal. So capture the moment to mend fences and broken promises.
The aura of the 2015 Goat (Sheep) year will gradually radiate its way to all. The most turbulent times will be during the period of the Dragon, which is from the Vernal Equinox on March 20th till April 20th, and especially the period of the Ox where a grave threat will again raise its ugly head. This will be from the Day of the Winter Solstice on the 22nd of December till the 20th of January 2016. But for the moment, allow the calming balms of the Sheep’s vibrations to flow through you, and through you, to touch every heart you meet.
2015 is a year to use mental abilities over brute force. For those who wish to be aggressive, expect to be out-maneuvered by strategy and common sense.
What Will The Year Of The Goat Mean For You?
Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Goat (sometimes referred to as the Year of the Sheep or (Ram). Sheep years are thought to be Yin — softer and less warlike than other years. However, Sheep years can also offer belligerent spirit and penurious periods aplenty. When Sheep are challenged, they can turn from peace-loving Yinsters to aggressors and self-pitiers. The same is true of Sheep years: They may at first give us an impression of serenity. But, just you wait. In my heart, I would love to reassure all of my readers that this coming Sheep year, 2015, will be warm apple pie and roses all year long but truthfully, I don't think that will be the case.
This Wood Goat year will, however, be a time for all people to pull together. If you ever wanted to start your own political party, participate in a group charity effort, or teach children to read, 2015 is your year. Any and all humanitarian endeavors will be supported and rewarded. Being one of “the good guys” will be encouraged. Bad guys won’t be popular, and hypocrites will be flushed out of their secret lairs. Unfaithful spouses will be rejected, and people will prefer the arts and culture to crime and violence on TV. In short, from a day-to-day living standpoint, the Sheep year 2015 will be more clement. Good riddance to the rigorous, back-breaking Horse year, 2014.
A Goat year is not about ambition, success, or money. Instead, it's about people and their essential needs. Efforts to relieve poverty and stamp out rampant illness will be favored. Those who invent and innovate can expect to be given time and even funds; money-hungry folks, meanwhile, will ride a bumpy road ahead. Why? Sheep don’t care about accumulating cash. They care about musing in fertile fields, making and building things, and they care about routine — a safe, unchanging routine they can be guided by, and which allows them to do more of what they are passionate about.
While sudden changes in rules could rile Goat up, aggression for its own sake is not in the Sheep makeup. Sheep prefer stasis. They are a peace-loving lot, and they are about compromise. So, if events go according to the Goat’s plan, 2015, the year of the Green Wood Goat, will smooth its wooly balm over hostilities. You'll see families reunited and harmony returning. These are turbulent times. But, 2015 will point the way through the storms and rekindle our belief in ourselves — that we can drop our petty quarrels and mend our broken fences.
Chinese Zodiac Signs, Birth Chart & Astrology
With Chinese New Year upon us, you may be wondering about your Chinese Zodiac Sign. Well, the 12 animals in Chinese Astrology are the rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pic. Have a look at the below chart to check out which animal you are based on your birth year.
As far as the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the year, it is the Yang and the animal is the “Goat.” However, the Chinese word Yang can refer to sheep, a ram, an antelope or a goat. However, most experts are said to believe the Chinese zodiac anila is the goat. The personality classified for 2015 is: calm, gentle, creative, thoughtful, amicable, persevering, frank and honest, according to China Highlights.
The lucky numbers for the year are 2 and 7, which includes any other numbers containing the two (ie. 72, 227). The lucky colors are brown, red and purple and the lucky direction is North. Carnations and Primroses are the year’s lucky flowers. And, finally, the lucky months for 2015 are August and November.
The 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac
In order, the 12 animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
Chinese Zodiac Calculator - Find Your Animal Sign
Your Chinese Zodiac sign is derived from your birth year, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. See the years of each animal below or use the calculator on the right to determine your own sign.
Those born in January and February take care: Chinese (Lunar) New Year moves between 21 January and February 20. If you were born in January or February, check whether your birth date falls before or after Chinese New Year to know what your Chinese zodiac year is.
Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbite: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
Chinese Zodiac Love Compatibility
People born in a certain animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which could either help or hinder a relationship. An important use of the Chinese Zodiac is to determine if (the signs of) two people are compatible, in a romantic relationship or any kind of relationship.
Take our online test on the right and find how suitable you and your partner are. See our Chinese Zodiac Love Compatibility Charts
It’s BAD LUCK When Your Zodiac Year Comes Around!
As the Chinese zodiac recurs every 12 years, your animal year will come around when you are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, etc.
According to ancient Chinese superstition, in your birth sign year, he will offend the God of Age, and will have bad luck during that year. The best way to avoid bad luck during this year is by wearing something red given by an elder (relative), such as socks, a neck cord, underwear, a waistband, a bracelet, or an anklet.
Chinese Zodiac Years Have Two Different Starts!
There are two dates a Chinese zodiac year could be said to start on, and neither is January 1! China traditionally uses two calendars: the solar calendar and the lunar calendar.
The traditional solar calendar has 24 fifteen-day solar terms, and the first, called ‘Start of Spring’, falls on February 4 (or 5).
The lunar calendar has 12 or 13 months and starts on Chinese New Year, which is somewhere in the period January 21 to February 20.
Most Chinese people use lunar New Year as the start of the zodiac year. But for fortune telling and astrology, people believe ‘Start of Spring’ is the beginning of the zodiac year.
Chinese Zodiac Origins - Why 12 Animals?
The 12 animals were chosen deliberately, after many revisions. The zodiac animals are either closely related to ancient Chinese people’s daily lives, or have lucky meanings.
The ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, and dog are six of the main domestic animals raised by Chinese people. The other six animals: rat, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, and monkey are all loved by the Chinese people.
Why in That Order?
The 12 Chinese Zodiac animals are in a fixed order according to Chinese Yin and Yang Theory and perceived attributes.
The yin or the yang of the animals is defined based on the odd or even number of their claws (or toes, hoofs). The animals are then arranged in an alternating (complementary) yin-yang sequence.
Usually an animal has is the same number of claws on its front and rear legs. However the rat has four toes on its fore legs and five on its hind legs. As the old saying goes, “a thing is valued in proportion to its rarity”, so the Rat ranks first of the 12 zodiac animals. It uniquely combines the attributes of odd (yang) and even (yin). 4+5=9, and yang is dominant, so the Rat is classified as odd (yang) overall.
Each animal has symbolic meanings given to it by the ancient Chinese. These animal attributes comes in six contrasting pairs that must be harmonized, like yin and yang, and are the primary factor governing the order of the zodiac. (Presumably the attributes most valued by ancient Chinese are first and so on.) The strong yang attribute comes first, then the balancing yin attribute.
Chinese Zodiac Hours
It is widely known that each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal, but in Chinese culture the 12 zodiac animals are also associated with hours of a day.
In ancient times, in order to tell the time, people divided a day into twelve 2-hour periods, and designated an animal to represent each period, according to each animal’s “special time”.
According to Chinese astrology, though not popularly used, a person’s personality and life is more decided by his/her birth hour than year. The zodiac hour is widely used for character and destiny analysis.
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