Year of the Goat: Chinese Zodiac Sign, Personality, Compatibility
The eighth Chinese zodiac animal sign, the Goat, is warm and empathic. As a rule, the suffering of others will affect them greatly, which could either help Goats succeed in the right career paths or end with others taking advantage of their tender and kind nature. That would be unfortunate, for the world could use more compassionate souls like the Goat.
The zodiacs have been part of Chinese culture for millennia. In Chinese astrology, a person’s zodiac sign indicates a great deal about their horoscope, including their personality, romantic interests, professional aspirations, and more. For example, whether a couple’s zodiac signs cooperate or clash with each other is an important consideration when it comes to marriage.
Those born in the year of the Goat (sometimes referred to as the year of the Sheep or Ram) are warned to be careful when another zodiac Goat year comes around. This is because when a person’s zodiac year (Ben Ming Nian) comes back around, they risk angering the Guardian God of the year, suffering setbacks.
Chinese Zodiac Years for Goat
The last Goat year was in 2015, and the next will be in 2027. Consult our zodiac sign calculator to see if you’re truly a Goat since the zodiac system is based on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar. Note that the Chinese calendar is not a perfect match for the Gregorian calendar we use today. You may have seen the Chinese New Year parade in your city in late January or early February because that’s when the lunar year starts!
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Read moreChart of Goat Years, Dates and Elements
Goat Year | Start of the Lunar Year | End of the Lunar Year | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
1919 | February 1, 1919 | February 19, 1920 | Earth |
1931 | February 17, 1931 | February 5, 1932 | Metal |
1943 | February 5, 1943 | January 24, 1944 | Water |
1955 | January 24, 1955 | February 11, 1956 | Wood |
1967 | February 9, 1943 | January 29, 1968 | Fire |
1979 | January 28, 1979 | February 15, 1980 | Earth |
1991 | February 15, 1991 | February 3, 1992 | Metal |
2003 | February 1, 2003 | January 21, 2004 | Water |
2015 | February 19, 2015 | February 7, 2016 | Wood |
2027 | February 6, 2027 | January 25, 2028 | Fire |
Goat Zodiac: Personality and Traits
Goats are known for their empathic and forgiving nature. They seem to intuitively understand others’ hardships in life and will rarely hold anything against anyone. Those who appreciate this quality will treat Goats with the respect and affection that they deserve, whether at work or in love.
The Goat is sweet and empathic and never seems to run out of compassion for the world.
The basis for the Goat’s renowned empathy is their sensitive nature. Even if their life is smooth sailing, the Goat will have experienced considerable internal struggles early on, which has lent them the understanding that the world is filled with all sorts and each has their own cross to bear. In terms of yin yang, the Goat is yin.
Opposite to their open and accepting attitude towards others, Goat people have the tendency to get stuck within their familiar terrain instead of venturing out. This is fine if they’re happy with a stable existence, but it may limit their potential growth and lead to too many regretful “coulda shouldas” down the line.
Male Goats
Male Goats appear elegant and honest, which makes them excellent friends, romantic partners, and fathers. They’re attuned to the feelings of their loved ones and will attend to the smallest detail to make home life enjoyable for everyone. Sometimes they can seem boyish in their need for affection, which the right partner is only too happy to provide.
Female Goats
Female Goats impress with their sweetness. They love people, although they can be sensitive about others’ treatment and may prefer the company of animals instead. They’re tidy and organized to boot. However, Goats can be indecisive at times, which is more of a problem at work, especially if these ladies follow their hearts to pursue a career in the arts.
Goat and the Five Elements
Chinese culture also has a five-element theory, which classifies everything into the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Goat is an earth sign, but there are different types of Goats. A person’s birth year determines whether they’re a Goat of the elements. For example, those born in 1991 are Metal Goats, while those born in 1979 are Earth Goats.
Element | Year | Personality |
|---|---|---|
Metal | 1931, 1991 | Metal Goats appear to be quicker than the other Goats but are also prone to make more bad decisions. As such, they’re advised to pursue careers that value skill, experience, and credibility over the ability to think on one’s feet. Metal Goats will most likely be blessed with a joyful and peaceful family life from childhood all the way into their later years. |
Water | 1943, 2003
| Water Goats are responsible and humble. They may work with great dedication, only to credit their teammates for most of the contribution. Sometimes their humble nature can work against them. However, working as researchers or anything that requires technical expertise can see Water Goats succeed on the strength of their discoveries. |
Wood | 1955, 2015
| Wood Goats are careful, polite, and above all, kind towards all. They will enjoy a myriad of friendships with people from all walks of life, and if they work hard on top of that, they will very probably be very accomplished by the time they’re in their middle age. Some Wood Goats have an affinity for solitude, even when they’re in love, which can become a sore subject with their partner. |
Fire | 1967, 2027 | Fire Goats are mild-natured, tidy, and almost impossible to dislike. They prefer their other halves to be independent and free-spirited, perhaps as an outlet for their own wilder inclinations. They can be emotional and prone to less than objective ways of thinking, and therefore, they should consider marrying later in life when they’ve had a chance to mature. |
Earth | 1919, 1979 | Earth Goats excel at attacking a problem or a project from all angles and will rarely make a mistake in their analysis. This seems contradictory to their open and almost naïve attitude toward their friends. Be careful with investments, Earth Goats, especially in the stock market or anything more volatile, like cryptocurrency, because you may rush your trades and end up losing all your initial investment along with your profit! |
Lucky Things for Goats
The Goat is an earth zodiac; therefore all things associated with the earth element are lucky for them, while those associated with wood—which overcomes earth—are considered unlucky. You can find below a list of lucky and unlucky things for the Goat.
Lucky Things
Lucky numbers: 3, 4
Lucky colors: Red, Purple
Lucky directions: East, Southeast
Lucky flowers: Carnation, Primrose
Things to Avoid
Unlucky numbers: 8
Unlucky colors: Gold, Black
Unlucky directions: Northeast, Northwest
Other items that are unlucky or to be avoided: Too many potted plants in the home.
Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches for Goat
One of the most popular uses of the zodiac signs is in determining two people’s romantic compatibility. Certain signs seem made for each other, while others can barely get a word out without quarreling.
The Goat’s sweet and gentle nature is never more apparent when they’re in love. They’re sensitive and loyal as well, making them highly sought-after romantic partners for those who appreciate this empathic breed.
The best romantic matches for the Goat are those born in the year of the Rabbit, the Horse, and the Pig. With these signs, the Goat will, without a doubt, build a home filled with love and harmony.
The Rat, the Ox, and the Dog aren’t to the Goat’s liking. The Ox is too practical, while the Rat is a bit annoying to the Goat. The Dog, on the other hand, is both too practical and too annoying— not exactly ideal!
Most Compatible: Horse, Rabbit, Pig
The best zodiac matches for the Goat are the Horse, the Rabbit, and the Pig. The Horse is a brash extrovert, but that somehow suits the quieter Goat just fine, while the Rabbit and the Pig are both mild-natured signs who value a warm and joyful home life.
The Horse intrigues the Goat with their brash confidence and their can-do attitude. Horses are implementers, which Goats are most definitely not with their dreamy nature. As such, the Horse can help the Goat put their plans into action, and together, both stand to multiply their earning powers by folds.
The Goat and the Rabbit are more similar than they’re different. Both are sensitive and gentle creatures and will treat their partner with consideration. Both are also romantic and will work to make their other half feel as if it’s the first day of their sweet love affair. Note that they won’t make good business partners but should rather work on their own thing—where they’ll shine and make their partner proud!
The Goat is sensitive and may sometimes feel insecure in love. There’s no one better than the Pig to give them the assurance they need and make them feel treasured with everyday romantic gestures that the Goat will appreciate. This is a pair that will most likely rush into commitment. Thankfully, their love will stand the test of time.
Least Compatible: Rat, Ox, Dog
Not everyone finds the Goat’s idealistic romanticism attractive, and not everyone can measure up to the Goat’s considerable emotional bandwidth. The Rat, the Ox, and the Dog are signs that the Goat would do better to stay away from, at least in a romantic context.
The Rat is like the Goat in some ways but different in all the wrong ones. This pairing seems to have no end of conflicts and quarrels, and somehow, they cannot gain each other’s trust and confidence no matter how hard they try. Neither feels safe in this union, which can only spell trouble in the not-too-distant future.
The Goat and the Ox rarely speak the same language. The Ox finds the Goat too idealistic, while the Goat thinks the Ox is such a bore. Both zodiac signs are usually easygoing, but with each other, it’s as if they always end up locking horns, with neither willing to back down. The stress will prove too much soon enough.
Frankly, the Dog gets on the Goat’s last nerve. The Goat wants a quiet and comfortable life, but the Dog is anything but quiet. The Goat wants the love of a lifetime, and all the Dog can think about is what to have for dinner tonight. Not that anyone is perfect, but one would be hard-pressed to find someone less suited for each other than these two.
Best Jobs and Careers for Goat
The Goat’s greatest strengths are their sensitivity and empathy. Their kind nature makes them excellent therapists and social workers, while their sensitivity is best expressed through art. They’d also make great teachers and nurses. The Goat would also greatly benefit from a capable yet encouraging mentor or superior, no matter what business they’re in.
If they can help it, the Goat shouldn’t choose a career path that is too competitive, like investment or surgery. They simply cannot handle the stress. Besides, their unique sensibilities would be entirely wasted if they’re not expressed through a creative outlet, including but not limited to writing, dance, painting, or acting. These disciplines will also help stabilize the Goat’s emotional turbulence as they mature.
Goats tend to be emotionally volatile, and they may want to quit at the first sign of difficulty. If a mentor, teacher, or manager can give them the encouragement they need at times like these, however, Goats will blossom and grow into who they were always destined to become—gentle and empathic healers that this world sorely needs.
Health and Lifestyle Advice
There’s no way to get around it. Goats need to nurture their mental and emotional health all their lives. This will most likely look like anything from meditation and yoga, as well as spending time in nature, like hiking and camping. Many Goats may decide to become vegetarian. Do what makes your body feel good, and all should be well.
The Goat isn’t especially gifted when it comes to investment. Others may be able to make a quick buck or two in the market, but Goats are advised against that sort of quick gain. Instead, grow your expertise and your professional skill sets. They’re dependable no matter what the market condition may be and will always be yours to call upon throughout life.
Goat and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)
A well-known origin story involving the zodiac animals explains why these animals were included and how their order came to be. The Goat is the eighth animal on the list of zodiac signs, just after the Horse and just before the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig. Are you curious how it secured this coveted spot?
The Jade Emperor, who governs the heavenly realm in ancient Chinese culture, asked all creatures to take part in a celestial race across the heavenly river to determine who should become revered as one of the 12 zodiac signs. The Goat didn’t care much about the race, although it agreed to participate, more to see what everyone else was trying to accomplish.
The Goat fell in conversation with the Horse as the two swam and then decided to drop back as the pace of the race began to pick up. It still managed to amble past the finish line just after the Horse, beating out the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig, in eighth place. Not bad for someone who didn’t even try, right?
Famous People Born in the Year of the Goat
Although they rarely pursue the limelight, Goats often become famous for their service toward humanity. Here’s a list of famous Goats.
Steve Jobs
Bill Gates
Julia Roberts
Frida Kahlo
Heath Ledger
Robert De Niro
Ed Sheeran
Pink
Simone de Beauvoir
Desmond Tutu
Jimmy Kimmel
Jay Chou