The Chinese Year of the Goat 

Goats are gentle people, kind hearted and caring about the well-being of others. They are possibly the nicest personalities in the Chinese zodiac. If they accidentally cause others unhappiness they will be distraught. Often quiet and shy, Goats usually get their own way by using their charm. People born under this sign are good with people, their compassion making them great comforters - they have all the requirements for a successful and rewarding career in nursing.

Goats are very lucky. Even when things don't go their way they often turn out to be blessings in disguise.

Goat people's biggest failing is their unreliability which can drive others mad. They should try to instil some discipline into their activities. They also need to guard against obstinacy. If you have problems a friendly, compassionate Goat will certainly make you feel better.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart the earth he summoned all the animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear the name of one of the animals. Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign.

Chinese Years:
February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster

January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey

February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat

February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse

January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake

February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon

February 6, 1999 - February 4, 2000: Rabbit

January 28, 1998 - February 5, 1999: Tiger

February 8, 1997 - January 27, 1998: Ox

February 19,1996 - February 7, 1997: Rat

January 31, 1995 - February 18, 1996: Pig

February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995: Dog

January 23, 1993 - February 9, 1994: Rooster

February 4, 1992 - January 22, 1993: Monkey

February 15, 1991 - February 3,1992: Goat

January 27, 1990 - February 14, 1991: Horse

February 6, 1989 - January 26, 1990: Snake

February 17, 1988 - February 5, 1989: Dragon

January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988: Rabbit

February 9, 1986 - January 28, 1987: Tiger

February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Ox

February 2, 1984 - February 19,1985: Rat

February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984: Pig

February 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983: Dog

February 5, 1981 - January 24, 1982: Rooster

February 16, 1980 - February 4, 1981: Monkey

January 28, 1979 - February 15, 1980: Goat

February 7, 1978 - January 27, 1979: Horse

February 18, 1977 - February 6, 1978: Snake

January 31, 1976 - February 17, 1977: Dragon

February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976: Rabbit

January 23, 1974 - February 10, 1975: Tiger

February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Ox

February 15, 1972 - February 2, 1973: Rat

January 27, 1971 - February 14, 1972: Pig

February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971: Dog

February 17, 1969 - February 5, 1970: Rooster

January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969: Monkey

February 9, 1967 - January 29, 1968: Goat

January 21, 1966 - February 8, 1967: Horse

February 2, 1965 - January 20, 1966: Snake

About the Author

Tony Luck runs a site with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. Included is the fascinating chinese pregnancy calendar which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart to tell you when baby is expected.