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2015 Chinese New Year Traditions And Fun Facts: Year Of The Goat Or Sheep?

By Cheryl Phillips
Published on: 15:38 PST, Feb 18, 2015

The Chinese New Year begins on February 19 and it’s the Year of the Goat, but the eighth sign in the Chinese zodiac is also referred to as the sheep or ram. The celebration lasts 15 days and features dinners, parades, gift exchanges, dragon dances, and ends with a Lantern festival.

Why is there confusion over whether to call this the Year of the Goat or the sheep — or even the ram? According to the Independent, the Chinese character “yang” loosely translates to mean any one of these three animals.

Were you born under the sign of the goat? If you were born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, or 2015, your Chinese Zodiac Sign is the goat (or sheep, if you prefer). According to Chinese astrology, those born under this sign are polite, shy, imaginative, and determined. Lucky numbers for those born under the sign of the goat are 2 and 7, and lucky colors include brown, red, and purple.

Although there are lucky numbers and colors for those born under this sign, CNN reports that many Chinese people try avoid conceiving or giving birth to a child in the Year of the Goat because it is feared that they will face a lifetime of bad luck.

“According to one common folk saying, only one in 10 people born in the Year of the Sheep find happiness. Many people believe that sheep babies end up with characteristics associated with their birth signs — docile and destined to be followers, not leaders.”

According to the Independent, the Chinese New Year — sometimes referred to the Lunar New Year — falls on the second new moon after winter solstice and is based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. The date changes from year to year — between January 21 and February 19.

Those who celebrate the 2015 Chinese New Year will decorate their homes with toys and decorations that have a goat theme, in addition to Chinese lanterns, fruit, and colorful flowers. Parents typically give their children money in red paper envelopes, said to bring happiness and good fortune.

“The envelopes themselves are good luck, as well as the contents, and some children will sleep with their envelopes under their pillow for up to seven days to increase their luck.”

The Guardian reports that hundreds of millions of people will celebrate the end of the Year of the Horse and the beginning of the Year of the Goat(sheep) starting on Wednesday at midnight. It’s a time of celebration and relaxation, with most people enjoying time off from work so they can spend time with their families.

Every year, China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasts a special on Chinese New Year‘s Eve celebration that features music, dancing, and short comedies. Last year, the program was watched by over 814 million people on television or online.

[Image: Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images]

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