Year of the Goat 2027 – Chinese New Year, Meaning and Lunar Coins
The Year of the Goat 2027 begins with Chinese New Year on 6 February 2027. Here is where the animals of the Chinese calendar come from, what the Goat stands for in tradition, why it is sometimes called the Sheep, and why lunar coins are among the most collected coins in the world.
When does the Year of the Goat 2027 start?
Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, has no fixed date. It follows a lunisolar calendar, so it always falls between 21 January and 20 February. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, 6 February. The Year of the Goat lasts until 25 January 2028, and the Year of the Monkey starts on 26 January 2028.
The celebrations last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival, on 20 February in 2027. It is a time for family gatherings, red decorations, fireworks and gifts. A traditional gift is money in a red envelope (hongbao) for good luck in the new year.
The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac
In the Chinese calendar every year has its animal. The cycle lasts 12 years and the order never changes:
- Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake,
- Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
The Goat is eighth, after the Horse (2026) and before the Monkey (2028). Each year also has one of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal or water. 2027 is the year of the Fire Goat. The same animal and element come back every 60 years, so the previous Fire Goat year was 1967.
Goat, sheep or ram?
The Chinese character 羊 (yáng) means goat, sheep and ram. That is why you will see Year of the Goat, Year of the Sheep and Year of the Ram – they are all the same year. Coins most often show a goat, frequently with its kid.
What does the Goat symbolise?
In Chinese tradition the Goat is a sign of calm, gentleness and harmony. People born in the Year of the Goat are said to be:
- sensitive and empathetic,
- creative, with an artistic soul,
- patient and good at calming conflicts,
- attached to home and family.
Goat years include 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 and 2027. Note: people born in January or early February may belong to the previous sign, because the Chinese year starts later than ours.
Why are lunar coins so popular?
Mints all over the world strike Chinese zodiac coins. One of the best known is the Lunar series of Australia's Perth Mint, issued since 1996. Collectors like them for several reasons:
- a clear collecting plan – a new animal every year and a full cycle of 12 coins,
- a personal gift – a coin for a birth year, a child's sign or a wedding year,
- limited time – an animal's coins are issued only in its year; the next one comes 12 years later,
- demand in Asia – in Asian countries these coins are a popular New Year gift.
A coin is also a good Chinese New Year gift. It fits the tradition of giving money for luck, and unlike a banknote in an envelope it lasts for years. More ideas: Silver coin as a gift.
Year of the Goat 2027 coins at Magikos-Coins
Our Year of the Goat 2027 coins are already here. All are struck in pure Ag 999 silver:
- Year of the Goat – 10 g pendant (Cameroon) – a coin pendant with selective gilding that you can wear as jewellery,
- Year of the Goat – ruthenium 14.14 g (Cameroon) – black ruthenium background, gilded goat, Chinese lanterns and a red zirconia for luck,
- Year of the Goat – 7 Elements 17.5 g (Niue) – a goat surrounded by seven elements referring to the lunar calendar cycle,
- Lunar Giants – Year of the Goat 3 oz, 120 mm (Rwanda) – the first issue of a series of giant lunar coins: a goat with its kid, cherry blossoms and pagodas,
- Lunar Giants – Year of the Goat, colour version,
- Lunar Giants – Year of the Goat, rose gold version.
What ruthenium plating, gilding and colouring are: Enhanced coins. Lunar coins usually have a limited mintage, so it is best to buy them before the New Year. Why mintage matters: What does a coin's mintage mean?
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
6 February 2027 (Saturday). The Year of the Goat starts that day and lasts until 25 January 2028.
What element is the Year of the Goat 2027?
Fire. 2027 is the year of the Fire Goat; the previous one was 1967.
What year comes before the Year of the Goat?
The Year of the Horse, from 17 February 2026 to 5 February 2027.
Year of the Goat or Year of the Sheep?
The same year. The Chinese character 羊 means goat, sheep and ram.
Summary
The Year of the Goat 2027 starts on 6 February 2027. A goat coin is a keepsake for people born under this sign, a Chinese New Year gift and the next piece of a lunar collection. See the Year of the Goat coins above or browse all silver coins at Magikos-Coins.