There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.

The compassionate, kind hearted and sincere Goat, eighth in the Zodiac Cycle starts off yet another New Year on the Chinese zodiac calendar in 2015. Three graphical illustrations of this well-mannered Goat ushering in the new Lunar Year 2015 are shown in this set of stamps of 1st Local, 70¢ and $1.30.

Being the eighth of the 12 animal signs, those born in the year of Goat are often said to possess character traits such as mild-mannered, graceful and usually a peace maker. They are calm and focus a lot of their energy on artistic hobbies. Behaving gracefully and kind-heartedly, Goat individuals are always respected and admired by others. They have deep feelings for people around them and are good friends for companion. The pure and kind Goat individuals are always ready to help others who are in need.

As 2015 is the year of the Wood Goat, they are thoughtful, good humoured and mindful of other people’s wishes. With Wood as the element, Wood Goat individuals will be steadier, generous with high moral principles and they are less flippant. The Wood Goat individuals will also have tendency to nurture those they care about and stay devoted to them. Their good deeds and compassion will not go unrewarded and unnoticed.

Famous personalities born in the Horse year include Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Charles Dickens, Chow Yun Fatt, Michelangelo, Andy Warhol, John Denver, Cao Cao and Yue Fei.