It’s started off as “one of those days”. I seem to be having a lot of those lately, don’t I! I’ll blame it on the wintry weather. Most of my frustrations involve networks and connectivity issues, and it’s likely that the bad weather has been a factor. Actually, I should consider myself lucky that the problems haven’t been worse. Despite the snow and cold temperatures, we haven’t had any power outages, frozen pipes, or other winter-related problems here.
After a lot of frustrations with email problems, my spirits did brighten considerably when I realized that today marks the beginning of the lunar new year. It’s “The Year of the Sheep”, and a quick trip to Google images made me smile.
I love this cheery fellow, don’t you?
I’ve seen 2015 referred to as “The Year of the Sheep”, “The Year of the Ram”, and “The Year of the Goat”.
What gives? I found this helpful information:
The ambiguity has whipped up discussion in the English world. Actually, when used without attributes, the Chinese character Yang can refer to all of the forgoing ruminants. However, in terms of traditional culture, the zodiac symbol is more likely a Goat, as it is commonly seen among Han People. The images of goats often appear on Chinese New Year stamps and paper-cuts. To ordinary Chinese, it seems the confusion never bothers them. They may take goat as the zodiac animal, but prefer to buy a sheep mascot, because it is more lovely and fluffy.
I’ve decided I’m going to hold to my friendly, cheery-looking sheep. Throughout the year, maybe he’ll remind me to remain gentle and calm even when I encounter those days — like today.
People who are born in the “Year of the Sheep/Ram/Goat” are said to be tender, polite, clever, and kind-hearted. They possess an affinity for art and beauty and have a fondness for peaceful living. They are wise, compassionate, and caring.
You’re one of them if you were born in any of the following time periods:
Years of the Sheep, Ram, Goat
- 02/01/1919-02/19/1920
- 02/17/1931-02/05/1932
- 02/05/1943-01/24/1944
- 01/24/1955-02/11/1956
- 02/09/1967-01/29/1968
- 01/28/1979-02/15/1980
- 02/15/1991-02/03/1992
- 02/01/2003-01/21/2004
A few famous “Goats” are:
- Michelangelo
- Mark Twain
- Thomas Alva Edison
- Rudolph Valentino
- Rachel Carson
- Barbara Walters
- Orville Wright
- Nicole Kidman
- Julia Roberts
- Bruce Willis
- Claire Danes
I suppose my favorite on the list would be Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, right here in the fine state of Missouri.
Great advice, in my opinion. So, here’s wishing you not only a great day, but a wonderful, happy, and prosperous New Year.
Whether you choose the Sheep, the Ram, or the Goat…enjoy the blessings this year will surely bring.
Christina Cole Romance 
February 19, 2015 at 9:23 AM
Reblogged this on From guestwriters and commented:
There are so many calendars a man can follow. Facing the months that pass by regularly we can celebrate regularly in the year a new year.
Losar is the Tibetan meaning “new year.” ‘Lo‘ means year and ‘sar‘ means new. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, today is the first day of the new year! Following the Chinese Zodiac, 2015 is the year of the Sheep!
In Antwerp like in many international cities the Chinese community shall ago wild. They believe that each animal has a special attribute that will bring man some sort of good luck in the new year, particularly if that person were born in the year of that Zodiac animal. For 2015 they think they can expect fortune, as this is the symbol of the Sheep. Compared to the other animals in the Zodiac, the Sheep is also known as the healer, and is associated with creative arts.
The Sheep is the eighth animal of the Chinese Zodiac. People born in 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and of course 2015 are all born in the year of the Sheep!
From those of 1955 (Bruce Willis, Rowan Atkinson) Steve Jobs has not to complain about fortune.
It is said that the Sheep is a Yin energy (part of Yin and Yang), which is a symbol of tranquillity. Therefore the best points of such personality are that they are polite, imaginative, and filial. However the negative side is that they also can be pessimistic, unrealistic and slow in behaviour, probably because the Sheep have Romantic ideals.
A sheep looks nice to cuddle, but do you know there has been give a shepherd for all those sheep in the world? And some may wonder if we are in the year of the goats.
All of those animals need some one to bring them into the den or leave them in the wild.
All sheep need a shepherd, else they become lost, frightened, helpless. For some people, this shepherd may have religious connotations; for others, the shepherd represents a best friend, or family member, or a person in a role of great responsibility.
If we are sheep or goats we should know that there is some one out there who is willing to take care of us. Even the sheep not of the year of the goats/sheep are looked for and is the shepherd willing to feed. That good shepherd has offered himself as a servant for the Master Shepherd. And that Most High Shepherd can give so much more than any human fortune can provide.
All the real sheep are also asked to follow their leader, the good shepherd and to help those gone astray. all believers in that good shepherd, Jeshua, Jesus Christ, should especially this week think about the other sheep and goats. Be a shepherd for the rest of the week: take people into your care; steer someone back onto the right path; offer help when it is required. Who knows – you may decide to keep at it.
Happy New Year to all Chinese and all the others as well.
February 19, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I enjoyed reading your post.