“San Yang Kai Tai” (三阳开泰) is an auspicious Chinese saying from I-Ching (the Book of Change) to signify that spring is here and everything under the sun looks fresh and will have a prosperous future. The ‘Yang’ (阳 for the sun) sounds the same as sheep/goat in Chinese, so over time, the pictorial representation of the auspicious expression evolved into the popular 3 sheep against a mountain landscape. Since then, the three-goat motif has been employed by artists, who sometimes cleverly included three goats or sheep in their paintings or on china to wish people good fortune.

The Goat/Sheep also symbolizes tranquility and intelligence with a mind for business. A person of the Goat year is called the Good Samaritan of the cycle. He or she is righteous, sincere, artistic, fashionable, and a creative worker. The Goat is known for his gentle and compassionate ways. He can forgive easily and be understanding about other’s faults. It is believed that placing the Goat figurines in your home or workplace will strengthen and enhance all the good traits and characteristics.