Hi, my name is Mojca. I am from Slovenia in Europe and I and I work as a student advisor at our Shanghai school.Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Snake (Ultimate Guide)
Everything You Need to Know About the Year of the Snake🐍 Personality, Compatibility and Lucky Symbols
In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the different Chinese zodiac animals. From what they represent to how they influence modern Chinese culture and language, we explain everything you need to know.
In case you haven’t heard – 2025 is the Year of the Snake!
Today, we’re exploring the story, the cultural perception and the influence of the sixth year in the lunar calendar cycle:
🐍 蛇年 shé nián.
So, if you know anyone born in the year of the snake, keep reading to find out all about their personality, strengths and weaknesses!
Years of the Snake include:
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Year of the Snake || Origin Story
Year of the Snake || Snakes in Chinese Culture
Year of the Snake || Year of the Snake Personality
Year of the Snake || Celebrities Born in the Year of the Snake
Year of the Snake || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Year of the Snake || Work and Relationships
Year of the Snake || Snakes in Chinese Medicine
Year of the Snake || Snakes and Tourism
Year of the Snake || Snakes in Chinese Language
Year of the Snake || Naming Year of the Snake Children
Year of the Snake || Chinese Dishes Named After Snakes
Year of the Snake || Wider Impact
Year of the Snake || FAQs
The Year of the Snake || Origin Story
The snake was the sixth animal to cross the finish line in the Great Race:
十二生肖的竞赛 shí’èr shēngxiào de jìngsài
Much like the cunning rat, it had a clever race plan. Rather than slithering its way to the end, it discreetly wrapped itself around the horse’s hoof, benefiting from the animal’s speed.
Just as the horse thought it had cleared itself of competition, the snake slipped off the horse’s hoof and slithered across the finish line to claim sixth place. Sneaky, right?
The Year of the Snake || Meaning in Chinese Culture
Snakes have a complex reputation in Chinese culture, as they are associated with both positive and negative traits.
On one hand, snakes are seen as wise and intelligent. They’re thought to be a symbol of strength, prosperity and good fortune.
On the other hand, snakes are also recognised as symbols of danger and deceit. This is especially the case in Chinese folklore, which often portrays the animal as a cunning creature capable of tricking or leading humans astray.
Their ability to shed their skin is said to hold spiritual significance, as it represents renewal and transformation.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Dragon (A Complete Guide)
Everything You Need to Know About the Year of the Dragon🐉 Personality, Compatibility and Lucky Symbols 2024 is coming and that means one thing: it’s the Year of the Dragon (龙年 lóng nián)! In this 12-part blog post series, we’re…
Year of the Snake || Personality
People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be mysterious, intelligent and intuitive. They’re associated with charm, grace and elegance.
And, like the animal, they glide through life in a calm and collected manner.
They may come across as quiet and detached but don’t be fooled. Snakes can be extremely passionate people when surrounded by the right people.
However, they’re also known for being highly secretive and occasionally dishonest. They know what they want, and they aren’t afraid to go after it.
In other words, if you know a snake, watch out – they may well deceive you in order to achieve their own goals.
All these traits add up to create an air of mystery around those born in the Year of the Snake.
Does that sound familiar to you? Find out if you were born in the Year of the Snake using our zodiac calculator.
Year of the Snake || Celebrities
Born in the year of the snake?
If so, you might be happy to find out you share this Chinese zodiac with these famous faces:
🐍 Taylor Swift: 1989
🐍 Mahatma Gandhi: 1869
🐍 Pablo Picasso: 1881
🐍 Anne Frank: 1929
🐍 Bob Dylan: 1941
🐍 Stephen Hawking: 1942
🐍 Ben Stiller: 1965
Do you know any other famous person born in the year of the snake? Let us know in the comments section!
Year of the Snake || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Chinese zodiac signs don’t just influence personality; they also determine our luck.
Unfortunately for Snakes, this isn’t one of the luckiest years on the Chinese zodiac calendar.
But there are a few symbols, and numbers of dates you can pay attention to in order to increase your luck. And don’t forget that your luck changes with every new zodiac year.
Lucky Symbols for the Year of the Snake
Lucky days: the 1st and 16th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
Lucky months: the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Chinese lunar months.
Lucky numbers: 2, 8 and 9 and any combination of numbers containing them
Lucky colours: yellow, red and black
Lucky flowers: orchid and cactus
Lucky directions: east, west, southwest
The Year of the Snake might be lucky, but like the other Zodiac signs, it also has unlucky symbols you’ll want to be aware of.
Unlucky Symbols for the Year of the Snake
Unlucky numbers: 1, 6 and 7 (and any combination)
Unlucky colours: brown, gold, white
Unlucky direction: northwest
If you were born in the Year of the Snake, you can increase your chances of having a lucky year by avoiding your unlucky colours and numbers and paying close attention to your auspicious signs during your unlucky months.
Chinese Superstitions // How Many Do You Know?
Chiense Superstitions can seem down right crazy to some of us. We cover the number 4, your year of birth, turtles and facial hair. Something for everyone!
Year of the Snake || Work and Relationship
Just how important is the Year of the Snake in modern-day China?
Although it dates back centuries, the Chinese zodiac is still widely respected in modern China, and its influence can be felt in everything from personal relationships to work. Here’s how the Year of the Snake impacts Chinese society.
The Snake Zodiac at Work
As intelligent and analytical people, snakes are considered to have a strong ability to think deeply about complex problems. They’re often seen as strategic thinkers who can offer insightful solutions to challenges.
Together with their charm and persuasiveness, this makes Snakes particularly suited to roles that require negotiation, diplomacy, or persuasion, such as sales, marketing, or leadership positions.
However, because those born in the Year of the Snake are fiercely independent people who like to rely on themselves, they may be seen as unwilling to collaborate in a team. They are sometimes viewed as cautious, secretive and reserved, which may affect trust and collaboration, which could work against them.
Snakes work particularly well with those born in the Years of the Ox, Monkey and Rooster, and they clash with Tigers and Pigs as neither can tolerate the other.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Tiger (A Complete Guide)
The Year of the Tiger 🐯 Everything You Need to Know || Luck, Culture and Compatibility In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the Chinese zodiac animals. From what they represent to how they…
Snake Zodiac in Relationships
Zodiac signs also influence romantic relationships, and many young Chinese people still consider them an important symbol of compatibility.
As passionate creatures, Snakes have high requirements when searching for a romantic partner.
They need someone equally smart and ambitious to keep pace with their goals, so they don’t get bored or frustrated.
This makes the Dragon and the Rooster an ideal match. But they should avoid dating anyone born in the Years of the Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep and Pig, as their secrecy, egos and vastly different personalities are sure to clash.
Year of the Snake || Snakes in Chinese Medicine
Owing to snakes’ ability to shed their skin, the animal is strongly associated with fertility and healing in traditional Chinese medicine.
Therefore, snake-derived substances, such as snake gallbladder or shed snake skin, are used in various remedies to promote fertility, treat ailments related to the reproductive system, and speed up healing.
This renewal and transformation aligns perfectly with the principles of balance and harmony in Chinese medicine, where the shedding of old to make way for the new is integral to the concept of holistic healing.
Chinese Food Therapy 食疗 shí liáo // A Beginner’s Guide
What is Chinese Food Therapy? There are many things to love about living in China, and one of them is of course, the food (see below)! There seem to be an unlimited amount of food options in China. Shanghai alone…
Year of the Snake || Snakes and Tourism
Some people also use their zodiac signs to choose travel destinations. This has become a popular trend among travel companies, especially at the start of the new year.
If you were born in the Year of the Snake, you might find that you’re best suited to holiday destinations that appeal to your intellectual nature or boost your image.
Our recommendations? Visit Suzhou to explore ancient culture and art forms or immerse yourself in the mystery of Yunnan in a town like Lijiang or Dali.
Alternatively, you can explore China’s wild side and see different types of Chinese snakes out in the wilderness!
Year of the Snake || Snakes in Chinese Language
Despite having some positive personality traits, the Snake isn’t seen in such a positive light in the Chinese language. Here are some of the most common (and useful) examples of phrases you might want to use.
Snake-Related Idioms
蛇行鼠窜 (shé xíng shǔ cuàn)
Meaning: The snake slithers, the mouse scurries
This idiom describes a situation where people scatter in fear or confusion in response to a threat, like small animals fleeing from a snake’s path.
蛇蝎心肠 (shé xiē xīn cháng)
Meaning: A snake’s heart and scorpion’s guts
This idiom refers to someone who is treacherous, deceitful, and malicious by comparing their character to venomous snakes and scorpions.
蛇精病 (shé jīng bìng)
Meaning: Snake demon sickness
This idiom is used to describe someone who is manipulative, cunning, and deceitful, often with ill intentions. It suggests that the person’s behaviour is akin to that of a malevolent snake demon.
Year of the Snake || Naming Year of the Snake Children
It’s not uncommon for parents around the world to choose a baby name based on its meaning. The same is true in China, only here parents may also choose their children’s names based on their zodiac sign’s auspicious characters.
Because zodiac Snakes are associated with the water element, it’s considered lucky to choose names that include radicals associated with trees (木), a hill (彡) or a horse (马).
Here are some auspicious characters for Year of the Snake babies:
祝 (zhù) – Wish
祖 (zǔ) – Ancestor
材 (cái) – Material, Talent
东 (dōng) – East
姜 (jiāng) – Ginger
Do you have a Chinese name already? If not, we’ve got you covered. Fill in our Chinese Name Generator, and we’ll select one for you!
Year of the Snake || Dishes Named After the Snake
You guessed it – snake meat is a delicacy in certain parts of China. Although it’s far from common, it’s not hard to find. Here are some dishes to look out for if you fancy a serpent for supper.
Brace yourself – these might make you feel a bit queasy!
蛇羹 (shé gēng)
Meaning: Snake soup
Snake soup is a traditional Chinese delicacy, particularly popular in southern China and Hong Kong. It is typically made by simmering snake meat with various herbs and spices to create a flavorful broth. This dish is believed to have medicinal properties and is often consumed during the winter months to ward off cold weather and boost health.
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蛇肉火锅 (shé ròu huǒguō)
Meaning: Snake meat hotpot
Hotpot is one of the most universal Chinese dishes you’ll find, with each region boasting its own spin on the popular simmering soup. While Beijingers are known for dipping Ox tongue into their broths, Guangzhou ren are partial to a slither of snake meat. If you’re an adventurous diner, it’s worth a try. If not, stick to another variation.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry – you’ll find veggie-filled options too.
Want to explore the influence of the zodiac animals on Chinese culture, chat about food or learn some new idioms? Check out our Flexi Classes for on-demand Chinese lessons you can take whenever you like. No awkward time-zone challenges and no awkward fixed schedules.
Year of the Snake || Wider Impact
China isn’t the only country that follows the Lunar Calendar. It’s celebrated across other Asian countries, such as Korea, Vietnam and Japan, where the zodiac animals play an important role in culture and traditions.
These cultures mostly view the zodiac animals in the same way as the Chinese.
However, in Japanese culture, snakes are looked upon in a slightly more positive light. People tend to trust them and value their advice because they are thought to be reliable, intelligent creatures.
And in Vietnam, Snakes are considered sacred creatures because of the legend that the Vietnamese are descendants of a Bird Mother (Au Co) and a Serpent Father (Lac Long Quan).
The Year of the Snake || FAQs
When is the next Year of the Snake?
The Chinese zodiac calendar is 12 years long, which means the next Year of the Snake will be 2025. Previous years included 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013.
What is my Chinese zodiac sign?
Use our Zodiac calculator to find out!
What signs is the Snake most compatible with?
People born in the Year of the Snake are romantically compatible with the Dragon and the Rooster.
What signs is the Snake not compatible with?
People born in the Year of the Snake are not romantically compatible with the Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, or Pig. Bad luck!
Is the Year of the Snake lucky?
The Year of the Snake isn’t particularly lucky or unlucky. Those born in the Year of the Snake can pay attention to their auspicious signs to increase their luck in any given year though.
What is the Year of the Snake personality like?
People born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be intelligent, introverted and calm. However, their ambition and secrecy can make them dishonest and secretive.
What comes after the year of the Snake?
The Year of the Horse follows the Year of the Snake.
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