Which years are Year of the Goat?

1931 (Metal Goat, from 17 February 1931); 1943 (Water Goat, from 5 February 1943); 1955 (Wood Goat, from 24 January 1955); 1967 (Fire Goat, from 9 February 1967); 1979 (Earth Goat, from 28 January 1979); 1991 (Metal Goat, from 15 February 1991); 2003 (Water Goat, from 1 February 2003); 2015 (Wood Goat, from 19 February 2015); 2027 (Fire Goat, from 6 February 2027); 2039 (Earth Goat, from 24 January 2039). The year starts at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January.

When is the next Year of the Goat?

2027, the Fire Goat, starting 6 February 2027.

Cathay Ink › Chinese zodiac › Year of the Goat

Year of the Goat

Kind, creative and calm. The Goat is the artist of the cycle, drawn to beauty and to taking care of people.

The Goat is the eighth of the twelve animals, paired with the earthly branch 未 and the hours 1 – 3 pm. The next Year of the Goat is 2027, a Fire Goat year, from 6 February 2027.

Check my birthday

Years of the Goat

Each year starts at Chinese New Year, so a January birthday usually belongs to the previous animal.

1931Metal Goat, from 17 February 1931
1943Water Goat, from 5 February 1943
1955Wood Goat, from 24 January 1955
1967Fire Goat, from 9 February 1967
1979Earth Goat, from 28 January 1979
1991Metal Goat, from 15 February 1991
2003Water Goat, from 1 February 2003
2015Wood Goat, from 19 February 2015
2027Fire Goat, from 6 February 2027
2039Earth Goat, from 24 January 2039

Born in one of these years? Enter the exact date to confirm the animal and see your lunar birthday.

The Goat in Chinese culture

Character

Kind, creative and calm. The Goat is the artist of the cycle, drawn to beauty and to taking care of people.

Closest companions in the cycle: the Rabbit and the Pig, the two animals that share the Goat's trine. Its secret friend is the Horse.

A story

The character 羊 sits inside 美, the character for beauty, and 善, the character for kindness.

Element changes the flavour of each Goat year. Metal 金: resolve and clarity: the edge of a blade, the ring of a bell. Wood 木: growth and flexibility: spring, bamboo, new shoots. Water 水: adaptability and depth: rivers finding their way. Fire 火: warmth and drive: summer, lanterns, the hearth. Earth 土: steadiness and care: harvest, soil, the centre.

Your Goat in ink

A poster with the Goat above, your name and lunar birthday below, and your Chinese name as a round seal.

Make the poster

Enter your birthday and we set the poster: the animal in ink wash, the year's element, the date in the lunar calendar, your name. Full-resolution download, printable at A3.

Start with my birthday

Want a Chinese name on the seal? Find one first: three real names with every character explained, free.

Previous animal: Horse 马. Next: Monkey 猴.