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Happy New Year! Today is the celebration of the Chinese New Year - the year of the sheep… um… goat… um… ram? Which one is it? You may have seen all of these animals in reference to this year's celebration… and they are ALL correct. According to a report on NPR today entitled Whatever Floats Your Goat, the Chinese word for the year is yang. "Some Chinese words are vague and not as specific as English words, so yang could refer to a goat, a sheep, or even a ram." While the goat is more commonly seen in China and Vietnam, the sheep is the symbol for Korea to denote this year's celebration. And according to an article on the China Highlights website:
"Actually, Chinese people are also not quite sure about that. In Chinese the word 羊 (yáng) is a generic term, and can refer to a sheep (绵羊), goat (山羊), ram/buck (公羊 male sheep or goat), 羚羊 (antelope), etc. There is a lack of clear definition on the zodiac "Goat" in Chinese history."
Now that the confusion has been figured out (HA!), let's talk about what this upcoming year symbolizes and the predictions for the year. Experts in Chinese astrology are calling for an 'unforgettable year." The overall theme for the year is "creativity and diligence resulting in prosperity." According to The Examiner:
"Opportunities to change the world for the better abound as long as humanity works together," the website writes. "Prosperity and wellbeing for all is possible as long as we actively move away from chaos."
Those individuals born in the Chinese sign of the Goat are described as group oriented, honest, creative, stable, gentle and compassionate. Many Asian families do not want their child born in the Year of the Goat - There is a popular Chinese folk saying 'Only one out of ten people born in a year of the Goat finds happiness' (十羊九不全), which means most babies born in a year of the Goat are destined for failed marriages, unhappy families, and bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that babies born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. While this may be an "outdated" notion, it has a real affect on Chinese society and financial markets.
"Actually, Chinese people are also not quite sure about that. In Chinese the word 羊 (yáng) is a generic term, and can refer to a sheep (绵羊), goat (山羊), ram/buck (公羊 male sheep or goat), 羚羊 (antelope), etc. There is a lack of clear definition on the zodiac "Goat" in Chinese history."
Now that the confusion has been figured out (HA!), let's talk about what this upcoming year symbolizes and the predictions for the year. Experts in Chinese astrology are calling for an 'unforgettable year." The overall theme for the year is "creativity and diligence resulting in prosperity." According to The Examiner:
"Opportunities to change the world for the better abound as long as humanity works together," the website writes. "Prosperity and wellbeing for all is possible as long as we actively move away from chaos."
Those individuals born in the Chinese sign of the Goat are described as group oriented, honest, creative, stable, gentle and compassionate. Many Asian families do not want their child born in the Year of the Goat - There is a popular Chinese folk saying 'Only one out of ten people born in a year of the Goat finds happiness' (十羊九不全), which means most babies born in a year of the Goat are destined for failed marriages, unhappy families, and bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that babies born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. While this may be an "outdated" notion, it has a real affect on Chinese society and financial markets.
| No matter what the Year of the Goat brings for you and yours, I wish you happiness, bright blessings, and joy! Gong Xi Fa Cai! |
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