Chinese New Year - Islamabad welcomes the Year of Goat

[mahool]

Re: Chinese New Year - Islamabad welcomes the Year of Goat

@SID_NY

I thought its year of sheep

You are not only one who thinks like this. http://heavy.com/news/2015/02/chinese-new-year-2015-goat-animal-meaning-sheep-sign/

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. However, most Chinese people and experts on folklore believe that the Chinese zodiac animal is the Goat, not the Sheep, and they have some evidence to support their idea… Firstly, the Chinese zodiac is an invention of the Han Nationality, and goats were widely raised by the Han people (unlike sheep), so the zodiac animal is more likely to refer to a goat. Secondly, a Goat image often appears on Chinese zodiac stamps, New Year paper cuttings, and New Year paintings (not a sheep).