The Chinese zodiac calendar – known as Sheng Xiao – is divided into 12 cycles. Each cycle lasts 12 months and is represented by an animal. 2015 is the Year of the Goat. Those born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1967, 1979, 1991 or 2003,2015 are goats. Do you know if you are a goat? Use below calculator to get your zodiac!
Free Chinese Zodiac Calculator
- Basic Greetings – What to Say
- “Xīnnián kuàilè” (新年快乐) = Happy New Year
- Pronunciation: shin-nyen kwai-luh
- Most common and safe greeting in all situations
- Used with everyone: friends, colleagues, strangers
- “Gōngxǐ fācái” (恭喜发财) = Wish you prosperity and wealth
- Pronunciation: gong-she fa-tsai
- Very popular during New Year
- Perfect for business contacts and formal situations
- “Wànshì rúyì” (万事如意) = May all your wishes come true
- Pronunciation: wan-shr roo-yee
- Warm, personal blessing
- Great for friends and family members
- Key Cultural Points
- Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar
- Date changes yearly (usually January/February)
- Celebrations last for 15 days
- First day is most important for family gatherings
- Red color significance
- Symbol of good luck and prosperity
- Red envelopes (红包 hóngbāo) contain money
- People wear red clothes for good fortune
- Important Customs
- Family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve
- Giving red envelopes to children and unmarried adults
- Setting off firecrackers (where permitted)
- Decorating homes with red lanterns and spring couplets
- Common Conversations During New Year
- “What’s your zodiac sign?”
- “Have you had your reunion dinner?”
- “Are you going back home for New Year?”
- “Did you get any red packets?”
- Business Etiquette
- Offices usually close for several days
- Send greetings before the holiday starts
- Avoid scheduling meetings during this period
- Perfect time for relationship building
- Cultural Tips
- Don’t give clocks as gifts (symbolizes death)
- Avoid wearing black (associated with funerals)
- Clean your house before, not during the festival
- Keep gifts wrapped in red or gold paper
Traditional Blessings for Goat/Sheep Years
- General Good Wishes
- “温暖似春羊，前程似锦绣” (Wēnnuǎn sì chūn yáng, qiánchéng sì jǐnxiù) Warm as spring sheep, future as beautiful as brocade
- “羊年洋洋得意” (Yáng nián yángyáng déyì) Year of the Goat brings pride and joy
- “温柔似玉羊，福气满门庭” (Wēnróu sì yù yáng, fúqi mǎn méntíng) Gentle as jade sheep, blessings fill the household
- Career & Success
- “羊年升职又加薪” (Yáng nián shēngzhí yòu jiāxīn) Promotion and raise in the Year of the Goat
- “三羊开泰，事业亨通” (Sān yáng kāi tài, shìyè hēngtōng) Three sheep bring prosperity, career flows smoothly
- Wealth & Prosperity
- “羊年喜气到，富贵又吉祥” (Yáng nián xǐqì dào, fùguì yòu jíxiáng) Joy arrives in Goat year, bringing wealth and luck
- “羊年财运旺，生意大发展” (Yáng nián cáiyùn wàng, shēngyi dà fāzhǎn) Fortune prospers in Goat year, business greatly expands
- Personal Growth
- “羊年创新意，前程展宏图” (Yáng nián chuàngxīn yì, qiánchéng zhǎn hóngtú) New ideas in Goat year, future unfolds grandly
These blessings are especially meaningful because they:
- Play on the word “羊” (yáng) meaning goat/sheep
- Connect to traditional symbols of prosperity
- Combine zodiac elements with good wishes
- Are perfect for New Year cards and messages
Usage tips:
- Great for greeting cards
- Perfect for social media messages
- Suitable for business communications
- Ideal for New Year gatherings
Year of the Goat/Sheep (羊年) Cultural Guide
- Character Traits Associated with Goat/Sheep
- Creative and artistic
- Kind and gentle
- Peace-loving
- Known for being caring and empathetic
- Values harmony in relationships
- Elegant and artistic
- Cultural Beliefs
- The Goat/Sheep is considered the most feminine animal in Chinese zodiac
- Known as the most artistic sign in the zodiac
- Associated with good luck in Chinese culture
- Symbolizes gentleness and benevolence
- Lucky Elements for Goat/Sheep People
- Lucky numbers: 2, 7, 9
- Lucky colors: Green, red, purple
- Lucky flowers: Carnation, primrose
- Lucky directions: North, Southeast
- Lucky months: 8th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months
- Traditional Beliefs about Birth Years Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
- Each has slightly different characteristics based on the element cycle
- 2015 was a Wood Goat year
- 2027 will be a Fire Goat year
- Special Customs and Practices
- Wearing red accessories during their zodiac year
- Carrying a jade pendant for protection
- Facing lucky directions during important events
- Using lucky colors in daily life when possible
- Career and Life Path
- Traditional beliefs suggest they excel in:
- Creative industries
- Healthcare and caring professions
- Education
- Arts and design
- Hospitality
- Zodiac Compatibility
- Most compatible with: Horse, Rabbit, Pig
- Less compatible with: Ox, Rat, Dog
- This is often considered in traditional matchmaking
Understanding these aspects helps:
- Appreciate cultural perspectives
- Understand traditional beliefs
- Navigate conversations about zodiac signs
- Show cultural awareness in social situations
Remember: These are traditional cultural beliefs and should be taken as interesting cultural knowledge rather than strict rules or scientific facts.
Year of the Goat/Sheep (羊年) Cultural Guide
- Character Traits Associated with Goat/Sheep
- Creative and artistic
- Kind and gentle
- Peace-loving
- Known for being caring and empathetic
- Values harmony in relationships
- Elegant and artistic
- Cultural Beliefs
- The Goat/Sheep is considered the most feminine animal in Chinese zodiac
- Known as the most artistic sign in the zodiac
- Associated with good luck in Chinese culture
- Symbolizes gentleness and benevolence
- Lucky Elements for Goat/Sheep People
- Lucky numbers: 2, 7, 9
- Lucky colors: Green, red, purple
- Lucky flowers: Carnation, primrose
- Lucky directions: North, Southeast
- Lucky months: 8th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months
- Traditional Beliefs about Birth Years Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
- Each has slightly different characteristics based on the element cycle
- 2015 was a Wood Goat year
- 2027 will be a Fire Goat year
- Special Customs and Practices
- Wearing red accessories during their zodiac year
- Carrying a jade pendant for protection
- Facing lucky directions during important events
- Using lucky colors in daily life when possible
- Career and Life Path
- Traditional beliefs suggest they excel in:
- Creative industries
- Healthcare and caring professions
- Education
- Arts and design
- Hospitality
- Zodiac Compatibility
- Most compatible with: Horse, Rabbit, Pig
- Less compatible with: Ox, Rat, Dog
- This is often considered in traditional matchmaking
Understanding these aspects helps:
- Appreciate cultural perspectives
- Understand traditional beliefs
- Navigate conversations about zodiac signs
- Show cultural awareness in social situations
Remember: These are traditional cultural beliefs and should be taken as interesting cultural knowledge rather than strict rules or scientific facts.