Year of the Ram: Chinese New Year Feature
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Peaceful, Righteous and Moody

Year of the Ram characteristics

The ram is an auspicious omen of warmth, peace, consistency and prosperity, thus the Year of the Ram is regarded as a fertile and profitable year for all.

People born in the Year of the Ram are said to be proper, patient, moderate, righteous, sincere, creative, mild-mannered and sometimes shy. Some mistakenly regard them as weak and quiet, but in fact they are positive and constructive, applying their intelligence towards the common good.

Rams forgive easily and are understanding of others’ faults. However, rams dislike strict schedules and cannot take much discipline or criticism. Rams crave love, attention and approval, and are fond of children and animals, close to nature and generally homebodies. Rams are apt to mother or even smother the objects of their affections. Rams are also moody and find it impossible to work under pressure.

The ram is the most mild-mannered of all of the Chinese zodiac animals, and can be prone to nervousness. The ram is an animal that avoids confrontation whenever possible. It is the most feminine sign of the Chinese zodiac. A person born in the ram year is the Good Samaritan of the cycle. At their best, rams are artistic and fashionable. At their worst, they tend to be easily overcome by emotions and are pessimistic and withdrawn.

Rams are typically artistic souls with a nurturing and caring nature. Thus social work, alternative therapies and complementary medicine all appeal to rams.

The Chinese believe that good fortune smiles on rams because of their gentle and compassionate nature. Rams are also generous with their time and money, which is fine since they usually have fantastic financial luck. Rams often inherit money from wills, are often given expensive gifts and are often adopted by rich and powerful patrons. So, on the whole the ram does not have to work hard for a living, as good things come naturally. Which is perfect, since rams love luxury and ease. Fortune favors rams as they attract success and money wherever they go.

The direction with which the ram is associated is not north, south, east or west, but the fifth direction (not used in the West) — central. This centrality is perhaps indicative of the ram’s desire for peace and tranquility, and the avoidance of taking sides. Though not taking sides may be advantageous at times, it may also be perceived as a lack of support for the position held by others, and as such may make for criticism or unsettling times.

What This Year Means for Everyone

Last year, the Year of the Horse, was exhausting, demanding and just bad news for many of the signs. Luckily, the Year of the Ram slows life down for everybody, under the ram’s peaceful influence. This year we will all draw closer to home and our families, as we turn towards responsibility, especially regarding the elderly in our lives.

2003 is the year of the “ram in a flock of ewes.” The notion of a ram in the middle of a flock of ewes — a male in the middle of many females — may appear to some to be a position of good fortune. However, much as this may have some benefit, it also means that this is a year in which it is easy to be seen, and therefore behavior must be appropriate, if you are not to be noticed for the wrong reasons. It will certainly be a year when inappropriate behavior will be far more noticeable, and open to challenge.

With things progressing slower, this is a good time to relax and make peace with ourselves as well as with others. It’s a good year to take up meditation, yoga or some other kind of inner-focused activity that the pace of the last few years wouldn’t allow. In fact, this sense of peace goes beyond the personal. This is the year for reconciliation, diplomatic moves and the healing of rifts. Wars, international conflicts and mutual animosities usually end in the Year of the Ram. Hopefully, this will be especially true for this year.

As patron of the arts, the ram will also draw out our creativity, making us more productive and imaginative in artistic and aesthetic endeavors. Interest in art, music, and theater will increase and flourish. Fashions will turn towards a more chic and sophisticated look. Also, new interest will be sparked in mysticism and the workings of the mind.

With more time on our hands, we find ourselves feeling more sentimental and emotional. However, the ram’s pessimistic vibrations will also make us oversensitive and fretful over small irritations, making us more easily discouraged or hypercritical when things do not go our way. Another caution for the year: We will be more liberal with our time and money, so watch for overspending.

The serenity of the ram’s peaceful ways will slow things down for most, so take time off to entertain your whims and dreams. Make new friends and see the world. Indulge yourself in the unpredictable. Expect the unexpected. This year, a good time can be had by those who do not mind improvising on the fly. Just remember to stop and smell the roses — the Year of the Ram is a time for quiet introspection, not for frantic activities.

Compiled from jadedragon.com and other online sources.