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It’s Chinese New Year and everyone’s wondering what the animal is for 2015. Well, 2015 is the “Year Of The Goat.” Chinese New Year 2015 begins on February 19, 2015 and ends on March 5, 2015 and this year is a special one. Not only is it the year of the goat, but it’s the year of the “Wood Goat.” This reportedly occurs every 60 years. According to the Chinese zodiac theory, it’s an important year for “goats” because it is their Ben Ming Nian. The definition of Ben Ming Nian is:
In Chinese tradition, Ben Ming Nian (本命年) refers to the year of zodiac animal in which one was born. As there are 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig), one undergoes a 12-year cycle to reach his or her Zodiac Year of Birth.
The personality of the goat is calm and gentle. People born in the year of the goat are thought of as mild-mannered, sympathetic and kind-hearted. They are also said to have creativity, perseverance, and stubbornness. Because of their calmness, goats generally have fewer health problems and they enjoy spending money, but are not stuck-up, according to China Highlights.
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).
Lucky Numbers for “Goats” are 2 and 7 or any numbers containing the two, ie. 27, 72. Goats are compatible with the rabbit, horse, or pig.