Chinese zodiac · 8 of 12
未 The Goat
The Goat (sometimes translated as Sheep or Ram) is the gentle artist of the zodiac. Its branch 未 (Wèi) belongs to the height of summer, when Earth holds warmth and crops ripen. Goats are known for kindness, creativity and a love of harmony.
- Branch
- 未 Wèi
- Fixed element
- Earth
- Polarity
- Yin
- Direction
- South-southwest (SSW)
- Hours
- 1 – 3 pm
- Solar month starts
- about 7 Jul (Minor Heat)
Goat years and their elements
Each Goat year also carries one of the five elements, so a Goat born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | 辛未 Yin Metal Goat | 5 Feb 1931 | 5 Feb 1932 |
| 1943 | 癸未 Yin Water Goat | 5 Feb 1943 | 5 Feb 1944 |
| 1955 | 乙未 Yin Wood Goat | 4 Feb 1955 | 5 Feb 1956 |
| 1967 | 丁未 Yin Fire Goat | 4 Feb 1967 | 5 Feb 1968 |
| 1979 | 己未 Yin Earth Goat | 4 Feb 1979 | 5 Feb 1980 |
| 1991 | 辛未 Yin Metal Goat | 4 Feb 1991 | 4 Feb 1992 |
| 2003 | 癸未 Yin Water Goat | 4 Feb 2003 | 4 Feb 2004 |
| 2015 | 乙未 Yin Wood Goat | 4 Feb 2015 | 4 Feb 2016 |
| 2027 | 丁未 Yin Fire Goat | 4 Feb 2027 | 4 Feb 2028 |
Goat personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Goat. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Kind, gentle and empathetic
- Creative and artistic
- Peace-loving and cooperative
- Loyal to close friends
Watch out for: Goats can worry and be indecisive. They may depend on others for reassurance and avoid hard conversations.
Goat at work
Goats are suited to creative and caring work: art, music, gardening, teaching, social work and interior design. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Goat compatibility
The Horse is the Goat's six-harmony partner, and the Rabbit and Pig form its three-harmony trio. The Ox is its opposite, so Goat–Ox pairings need patience with different paces.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Horse | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Rabbit and Pig | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Ox | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Rat | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Goat
The Goat is Earth with hidden Fire and Wood. Soft, warm colours and natural materials suit it. Its direction is South-southwest. A Goat's home benefits from a cosy corner for creative work and a well-organised kitchen.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Goat in 2026 and 2027
The Fire Horse is the Goat's six-harmony partner, so 2026 is a supportive year for relationships and partnerships. In 2027, the Fire Goat year, the Goat meets its own year and should take the same care as the Horse does in 2026.
2027 (Fire Goat) is your own zodiac year.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.