Russians Welcome the Year of the Goat

As Russians get ready to meet the new year, foreign tourists visiting the capital may be wondering why shop windows and kiosk shelves are flooded with figurines of goats and sheep.? 




But if astrologers are to be believed, the year of 2015 — otherwise known as the "year of the goat" for Russians going by the Chinese astrological calendar — might bring some relief from economic woes.? 





The symbol of 2015 suggests the year may be less turbulent than 2014's year of the horse, which was full of newly annexed territories, diplomatic spats, major sporting events and proudly flexed military muscle.? 





The year of the goat or the sheep — depending on how it's translated from the Russian — with both animals more timid than the wild horse, may bring more stability amid the economic troubles caused by low oil prices and ongoing currency fluctuations.

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It is no surprise then that so many Russians include the Chinese symbol of the upcoming year in their New Year's celebrations, stocking up on sheep and goat shaped trinkets and toys well ahead of the Chinese New Year in mid-February.





Read more:

What to Expect From 2015, The Year of The Goat