4783) "2027 Lunar Year of the Goat or Sheep or Ram", Liechtenstein: Liechtensteinische Post AG has issued a postage stamp of CHF 2.50 celebrating the coming Year of the Goat: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 09.11.2026:
"The Lunar Year of the Goat":
The Zodiac cycle renews itself every 12 years and, as such, the third series will conclude with the 2028 release.
This is the year which is represented by the 12-animal lunar zodiac, the "Year of the Goat" is considered special.
How does the Lunar Calendar or Chinese Zodiac Cycle work?
I consulted some of the books which have been kept in my personal library and got acquainted with some interesting facts about the Chinese Zodiac/Lunar Calendar:
The exact origins of the 12 animal signs is rather lost in the obscurity of time, but there is no doubt that they originated in China. In terms of the Chinese astrological "history", the 12 animals are of a rather recent introduction - for it seems that in the 2nd Century BC, Ssu Ma Chi'en (163-85 BC), who was the grand astrologer to Emperor Wu Ti, wrote the Shi Chi or "historical record" up to that time. In this book, there is no "Zodiac" or mention of the 12 animals.
Originally, the 12-year cycle that it takes the planet Jupiter to complete one orbit of the Sun was believed to have defined the earlier calendars. The Chinese still call this cycle "The Great Year" and each month corresponds to one of our own years.
By the 10th Century AD, however, after Buddhism had been established in China, Calendar Almanacs, such as those written by Tibetan monks in exile in the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas" monastery in the remote reaches of North-western China, depicting the 12 animals, came into existence.
The legend of the Conference of animals called by the Buddha and naming of the 12-year cycle after 12 animals for the Chinese Lunar Calendar:
According to a legend, it was the Buddha (583-463 BC), who created the 12-animal cycle.
He is believed to have invited all the animals in the land to hold a conference together. The Buddha was not surprised, as in his wisdom, he knew that some of the animals were friendly towards others, while others were inimical/enemies.
To encourage attendance, he decided to name the years after the first twelve animals, in order of their arrival.
An invitation from the Buddha was hard to resist, and when they heard the news, all the animals set off at once, each determined to be the first to arrive.
Tiger, because of his energy and speed, at first took the lead. Soon, though, he began to tire and the early lead that he had achieved over his next rival Ox, who may have been slow, but had great stamina, soon dissipated. Ox reached the Buddha ahead of Tiger and prepared to bow down low to receive his honour.
But, what the sturdy Ox did not know was that clever Rat had sneaked a ride on his tail!!
Just before Ox's nose touched the floor at the Buddha's feet, nimble and swift Rat ran up the Ox's tail, along his back and jumped off his nose, thus winning the race to be the first to bow before the Buddha.
So Rat (or "Tze" or "Xi" is its Chinese name"), became the first animal in the Chinese Lunar Calendar/Zodiac, followed by a rather resentful Ox ("Chou").
Tiger ("Yin"), Rabbit ("Mao"), Dragon ("Chen"), Snake ("Si"), Horse ("Wu"), Goat ("Wei"), Monkey ("Shen"), Rooster ("You"), Dog ("Xu") and Pig ("Hu"), all followed, and in that order, paid homage to the Buddha and were each honoured with a year.
Interestingly, Dragon is the only mythical beast in the Chinese Circle of Zodiacal animals.
According to the Lunar or Chinese Zodiac, each year is assigned to the above-referred animals, in accordance to a 12-year cycle:
The lunar calendar is 12 months long, with each month corresponding roughly to one cycle of the Moon's movement - from a new moon, through to a full Moon and back to a new Moon.
The lunar calendar is also known as the agricultural calendar as it divides the year into seasons. Agriculture was the principal economy of ancient China.
Even today, the lunar calendar still has great significance for the Chinese people, who use it to set the luckiest dates for traditional events and activities, such as weddings, funerals, launching new ventures and moving to a new house.
About the Lunar Year of the Goat:
Though the grains belonged to the heavens, the Goat took them out of compassion, choosing to help humanity even at personal risk. This act of kindness became its defining trait in the Chinese zodiac.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Goat is a symbol of steadiness, compassion, and creative insight; in 2027, these qualities are enriched by the Fire element that adds warmth, motivation, and a spark of inspiration to everything the Goat touches.
People born in the Year of the Goat are known for their gentle wisdom and quiet determination—they solve problems with grace, stay true to their values, and uplift those around them. The Goat’s legacy of nurturing the world is thoughtfully reflected on the reverse of this 99.99% pure gold kilo coin, where a flame motif and lucky flowers symbolise creativity, abundance, and the promise of growth.
Symbolising gentleness and peace in Chinese culture, the Goat represents artistic, compassionate, and nurturing individuals. A popular myth tells of a divine Goat bringing five types of life-improving grains to humanity out of compassion. The design incorporates carnations—for love and devotion—on the Goat's body, along with a hint of the auspicious fire motif for the 2027 Fire Goat year.
What is a Fire Goat (or Sheep or Ram):
A "Fire Goat" is a specific Chinese zodiac sign that combines the Goat (or Sheep) with the Fire element, occurring in years like 1967, 2027, and 2087. It represents gentleness, creativity, and care infused with fire’s warmth, charisma, and urgency.
In zodiac tradition, the Fire Goat is associated with harmony, creativity, and quiet resilience, making this 2027 issue a graceful emblem of spark and confidence.
Like the Fire Goat, let your creativity lead the way in 2027.
More on the Year of the Goat Coins:
- 2027 is the Lunar Year of the Goat, the eighth sign in the Chinese Zodiac.
- Also referred to as the Sheep or Ram, people born in the Year of the Goat are said to be creative, compassionate and gentle.
- They are believed to have a calm and harmonious nature, are deeply empathetic and quietly resilient.
- Famous international Goats include entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates, tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, and musicians Norah Jones and Ed Sheeran.
The Coins:
Celebrate harmony, creativity, and Lunar New Year tradition with the 2027 Lunar Year of the Goat is a gentle Chinese zodiac symbol associated with compassion, artistic sensibility, tranquility, and good fortune.
These Coin Variants have been designed for zodiac collectors, and those seeking a meaningful Lunar New Year gift.
Year of the Goat/Sheep or Ram: Liechtenstein, 2027:
Technical details:
Issue Date: 09.11.2026
Designer: Han Meilin, Beijing
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, Meaucé la Loupe
Process: offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Size:
Stamp Size: 37.50 mm x 51.00 mm,
Sheet Size: 146.00 mm x 208.00 mm
Values: CHF 2.50
Links:
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
Links to posts on "The Year of the Horse -Wu":
Lunar Year of the Goat - Wei:
Links to posts related to the Federal Shooting Festival, Switzerland on this blog:
1) The Legend of William Tell depicted on a Gold 50 Francs Swiss Coin issued on 26.04.2018
Links on posts on Lakes and Waterways on this Blog:
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15) "Crocodile" Locomotives, Switzerland: Centenary Celebration: Swiss Mint issues a 50 Francs Commemorative Gold Coin: Coin release date: 09.05.2019
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17) Roger Federer, Switzerland: A 20 Francs Silver Coin issued by the Federal Swiss Mint commemorating the achievements of the legendary Tennis Player: Coin issue date: 23.01.2020
18) Edelweiss (Mountain Star), Swiss Alps, Mongolia: minted under the series titled "Numismatic Sculptures": Commemorative Gold Coins of 1000 Togrog and Silver Coins of 500 Togrog issued by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Mongolia
19) Federal Shooting Festival, Switzerland celebrated with the release of Silver 50 Franc and Gold 500 Franc "Talers" (or Medals) that are valid during the duration of the Festival: Issue Year: 2020
20) 200 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland on 12.09.2019: Sixth and last of the six Banknotes in the Ninth Banknote Series released by the Bank in a phased manner
21) International Year of Plant Health, Switzerland: A Postage Stamp of CHF 0.85 issued by Swiss Post depicting a Japanese beetle eating a healthy plant leaf: Date os stamp issue: 05.03.2020
23) Orell Fussli (1519-2019), Switzerland: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary milestone of the Banknote and Security Paper printng major with the issue of a House Note
25) Microscopic Art, Switzerland: A set of two stamps of the values of 0.85 and 1.00 Swiss franc issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020
26) 150th Anniversary of the Swiss Fire Brigade Association, Switzerland: A 20 Swiss Franc Silver Coin issued by the Swiss Mint, commemorates the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 03.09.2020
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