The Year of the Sheep/Goat begins on February 19, 2015 and lasts to February 7, 2016.
In Chinese astrology, each year (starting from Chinese New Year) is associated with an animal sign, occurring in a 12-year cycle. For example 2015 is a year of the Goat/Sheep.
Chinese New Year is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar. In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, the last day of the last month of the Chinese calendar, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, making the festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the “Lunar New Year”.
Chinese New Year is centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities as well as ancestors.
Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbours.
Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. Often, the evening preceding Chinese New Year’s Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity.” Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.
Just for fun, we have printed some predictions for all of the Chinese zodiac signs. You can find your sign, which is the year of your birth. If you were born in January or February your animal sign may vary depending on the date you were born and when the new year began in the year you were born.
Legend has it that inception of the Chinese zodiac signs began when the Buddha beckoned all the animals to bid him farewell before his departure from the Earth. Only 12 arrived at his summoning, and so those were given a place of honor in a year being named after each.
(Source: Wikipedia)
RAT
Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
In 2015, the overall fortune for those born in the year of the Rat is not very good, the year will be fickle. Change will be swift and adventures lie ahead. Fortune in career and money will be limited and you will need to work hard to gain a promotion but there will be more opportunities than ever. Be cautious with investments and valuable possessions.
More attention should be paid to your health but health problems are unlikely. Rest and relax and get more exercise. A healthy diet is advised.
In love, the Rat will have a hard time meeting the right one. Lovers and couples need to communicate more.
OX
Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1962, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Lots of changes for the Ox this year. Change should be accepted in a positive frame of mind and embrace the change and follow the course of events. Patience will be required as will focus and determination.
Married couples may disagree and be misunderstood, but family life will be protected. Singles may feel lonely if they have no social life.
Unexpected financial losses may occur if care is not taken. Spending should be controlled and expenses kept down. Purchase real estate at the beginning of the year.
Career will be stable and a change should not be made. Avoid provoking people or institutions.
A healthy diet and exercise is recommended. Health should be a priority.
TIGER
Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 2974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Couples should have more active communication in 2015 to avoid misunderstandings. It may be a suitable time to get married.
Luck is double-ended. There may be a chance to win a litter for those born in the year of the Tiger, but poor fortune may also happen. Do not lend money, or make large impulsive purchases.
Achievements can be made in your career but it will not be without its difficulties.
Try to relax and avoid overworking. The harder the Tiger tries the more they will achieve.
RABBIT
Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Life will open up for Rabbits in 2015 and they will have smooth romantic lives and make progress with unexpected help from others.
Singles should take part in more social activities and it will be a good year to get married. Rabbits needs to be calm, tolerant and communicate.
Rabbits will enjoy good overall financial fortune and money management is advised. Avoid impulsive decisions and listen to others’ opinions. Financial luck in the 1,4, 8 and 11 Chinese lunar months.
The work place will see luck. It is an excellent year to launch a new project or business.
Stress-related health issues could come about if the Rabbit does not maintain a healthy diet and more exercise. Use caution around water.
DRAGON
Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
It’s a smooth year for the Dragon in 2015 but one must be discreet and alert. Love may be in the air and married couples will find this a harmonious year. Relationships must be a priority, pay attention and express affection.
Hard work will pay off and fortunes can be made, businesses will flourish and income will increase. Not everyone is trustworthy when it comes to lending money to others.
Careers will have strong luck especially if one has a business partner of the opposite sex. Your talents will be displayed and returns come to those who work hard. Do not be influenced by emotions.
Health will come to those who are balanced in work and play.
SNAKE
Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Snakes should get out and be more social so as to meet their love. Relationships may be unstable and communication is important, be careful with criticism. Married couples could risk extramarital affairs if they don’t care more for each other.
There is a risk of being cheated in financial circumstances if Snakes are not careful.
Avoid spending money you don’t have and control your expenses. Make your money legally and make wise investments.
Your career may stagnate in 2015 and hard work is advised. Maintain good business relationships.
Snakes should be careful with their health and avoid risky sports. Slow down and take it easy. Health is your strongest asset.
HORSE
Horse: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Compared to 2014 the Horse will have a much easier year in the Year of the Sheep. Expect good fortune in all aspects this year.
Single Horses can meet their ideal partners and relationships will deepen in those in love.
Horses will not find their fortune in the stock market this year or in the lotteries. Incomes will increase and good fortune is to be found, bit lending money is not advised.
Careers and health will be good and challenges will be overcome. As in all things, horses should avoid overwork and stress. Get enough rest and avoid extreme outdoor sports.
SHEEP/GOAT
Sheep/Goat: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Sheep (Ram or Goat) represents solidarity, harmony and calmness and ranks the eighth position in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the Year of the Sheep are polite, mild mannered, shy, imaginative, determined and have good taste. On the negative side, they are sometimes pessimistic, unrealistic, short-sighted and slow in behavior.
For those born in the Year of the Sheep, luck is not with them. The Chinese believe a year of one’s birth is unlucky.
Married Sheep will get along fine and singles may find their lifelong love with some help. Preserve what you have.
Financial difficulties can arise for those born in a sheep year. They are advised to be conservative, avoid excess spending and live within their means.
Careers will be full of opportunities for promotions and care should be taken with business partners.
Health is good this year for the Sheep and exercise, good diet and plenty of rest should be encouraged.
MONKEY
Monkey: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
2015 will be an easier year for the Monkey. Fortunes will increase.
Love is possible but more effort should be made to meet more friends of the opposite sex. Singles should consider a deeper relationship and get engaged or married. Love life will be smooth for the Monkey.
Money and the making of it will be profitable for the Monkey. Money should be shared with partners and one should not keep all the profits for themselves. Protect what you have.
Be cautious of poor health as this could influence your work place.
To avoid poor health, get plenty of exercise and sleep.
ROOSTER
Rooster: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Remain positive in the Year of the Sheep as it could be a challenging year. Roosters may find themselves to be restless.
Romance and love may not prosper as well as one would wish, but this can be aided by spending more time with partners, communicate and be patient.
Be cautious with your money this year and think carefully before making investments or doing business. Savings and planning are appropriate in the year of the Sheep. Lending money is not advised.
Setbacks may occur in careers and tempers may flare, so it is advised to think more and speak less. Career stability will occur by the end of the year and studying for the future would be advisable.
Relieving stress and getting more exercise is advised. Health setbacks may occur for Roosters or their family, so care should be taken while driving or in extreme sports. Abide by the law.
DOG
Dog: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Fortunes for the Dog will be better than in 2014. Setbacks can occur in most aspect for the Dog.
Avoiding quarrels will not be easy and the Dog should be willing to communicate more with their partners and lovers. Patience and tolerance is advised to maintain a good life. Marriage can be a good thing this year and single Dogs may find their true love.
Money can be made this year but Dogs should avoid high risk investments and purchase stable properties instead. Help is there if needed.
Help will also be there in their careers. Stability is there in all ways including lack of promotions and salary. Keep up good relations with co-workers, bosses and people of influence. Keep your eyes open.
Pay special attention to your physical health this year, eat a healthy diet, exercise and see a doctor if unwell.
PIG
Pig: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Pigs will have a very fortunate year and all things will be positive.
If single, you may meet your true love but you will need to be more social for this to happen. Marriage is possible. Tolerance, communication and understanding is key to a good married life.
Money looks good for the Pig. Profits and increased income are possible. Avoid recklessness with money, some unexpected losses may occur.
Jobs, perfect for the Pig, will surface and salary increases, promotions and expansion are possible. A good year for operating a business.
Work pressure and emotional ups and downs can happen this year. Pigs should avoid strenuous exercise and rest and relax as much as possible.
