Is it the Year of the Sheep, Goat or Ram?

But should we be ushering in the Year of the Sheep, Goat or Ram on February 19?

It depends, says Isaac Yue, who teaches Chinese mythology at the University of Hong Kong.

“The Chinese character yang can be translated as all of these animals — even the gazelle is called yang in Chinese,” he says.

Of course, the confusion over the choice of animal is unlikely to dampen the festivities, which stretch for two weeks or more, and few Chinese are troubled by the English speaking world’s sheep/goat distinction, at least according to China’s official news agency.

“I’ve never thought about that question before. Do we have to tell them apart?” Chen Xufeng, an office clerk in Beijing, was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

“I’ve seen more goats in zodiac images, but I prefer to buy a sheep mascot, as sheep are more fluffy and lovely,” he says.

CNN