Metal Goat
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1931, 1991
Animal 8 of 12 · Earth · Yin
The Goat
Gentleness, artistry and a need for security.
Position in cycle8 of 12
Fixed elementEarth
Yin or yangYin
Hours governed13:00–15:00
SeasonSummer
Lucky numbers3, 4, 9
Lucky coloursgreen, red, purple
Strength. Creates things and cares for people without expecting a return.
Friction. Needs reassurance regularly, and worries about outcomes it cannot influence.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Goat holds 13:00–15:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Goat as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Creative
Sensitive
Indecisive
Generous
Anxious
Goat years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Water Goat | 5 February |
| 1955 | Wood Goat | 24 January |
| 1967 | Fire Goat | 9 February |
| 1979 | Earth Goat | 28 January |
| 1991 | Metal Goat | 15 February |
| 2003 | Water Goat | 1 February |
| 2015 | Wood Goat | 19 February |
| 2027 | Fire Goat | 6 February |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Goats
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Goat and a Fire Goat are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Water Goat
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1943, 2003
Wood Goat
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1955, 2015
Fire Goat
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1967, 2027
Earth Goat
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1979, 2039
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Goat recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Goat year is 2027.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Goat compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Pig | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Horse | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Snake | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Rooster | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Goat | Same sign | 72% |
| Rat | Neutral | 68% |
| Tiger | Neutral | 68% |
| Monkey | Neutral | 68% |
| Dragon | Square — friction | 60% |
| Dog | Square — friction | 60% |
| Ox | Traditional clash | 45% |