Chinese Zodiac Snake

According to Chinese zodiac signs, Chinese New Year 2025 is the year of Snake. Chinese Lunar new year start from January 29, 2025 and ends on February 16, 2026.

Ranked the sixth of the Chinese zodiacs, Snake is usually called as “small dragon” by people who are born in the year of snake. This might because Chinese people think snake is venomous. In many Chinese stories and idioms, snake is usually represented as a villain. But in Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, all things have two sides. So, there is also an exception, which is the “Legend of the White Snake” and white snake and blue snake in the legend are widely loved by Chinese people. Snake is also the symbol of longevity, same as tortoise.

chinese zodiac snake years

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  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Years
  • Snake in Chinese Culture
  • Lucky and Unlucky Things for People Born in the Year of the Snake
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Traits and Personality Base on Five Elements
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Love Compatibility
  • Guide for Snakes’ Career & Jobs
  • Zodiac Snake Famous People
  • Snakes’ Horoscope in 2025
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Vocabulary & Idioms
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Years – Am I a Snake?

    You may not a Snake even if you were born in snake year! Chinese zodiac system is based on the lunar calendar, from the 1st day of Spring Festival to the Eve of next Chinese Lunar New Year. Your birthday is set by Gregorian calendar, so you have to switch it to Lunar Calendar of the year you were born to confirm your Chinese zodiac animals. For example, if you were born in Feb. 1, 1965 (a year of Snake), one day before Chinese New Year, you are a Dragon, instead of a Snake.

    When are the Chinese zodiac years of Snake? Altogether there are 12 zodiac signs starting from Rat and ending at Pig. Every 12 years is a cycle. There is a simple way to calculate, that any year with a remainder of 9 divided by 12 is the year of the Snake. For example, 2025÷12= quotient, and the remainder is 9, so 2025 is the zodiac year of the Snake. Other Chinese zodiac Snake years include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037, etc.

    When talking about Chinese zodiac signs, we usually need to consider the five elements, which are Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Combining with 12 zodiac signs, each element comes in a 60-year cycle. 1965 is a wood Snake year, so next zodiac wood Snake year will be 2025.

    Check following table to see whether your own Zodiac animal is snake or not.

    Recent Chinese Zodiac Snake Years

    Snake YearStart DateEnd DateElement
    1929February 10,1929January 29,1930Earth Snake
    1941January 27,1941February 14,1942Metal Snake
    1953February 14,1953February 2,1954Water Snake
    1965February 2,1965January 20,1966Wood Snake
    1977February 18,1977February 6,1978Fire Snake
    1989February 6,1989January 26,1990Earth Snake
    2001January 24,2001February 11,2002Metal Snake
    2013February 10,2013January 30,2014Water Snake
    2025January 29,2025February 16,2026Wood Snake
    2037February 15,2037February 3,2038Fire Snake

    Chinese Zodiac Calculator

    Select your date of birth and find out your Chinese zodiac sign.

    Chinese Zodiac Snake in Chinese Culture

    All animals in Chinese zodiac signs, including the Snake, have symbols and stories in traditional Chinese culture and Chinese history.

    1. Totem of Chinese ancient ancestors
    Dragon, the most sacred image in Chinese culture, is not existed in the nature. It is indeed a totemic image from snake. The character of 龙(dragon)in oracle bone inscriptions, the earliest Chinese characters, is the image of a snake. In Chinese mythology, Fuxi and Nuwa, the human ancestor who created human beings with loess, had the body of snake. In south China areas, some ethnic groups are still taking snake as their totem.

    2. A symbol of longevity
    In Chinese culture, ancient people take snake and tortoise as symbols of longevity. Snake molts skin and hibernates in the winter, which makes it mysterious and because that ancient people think skin molting of the snake

    3. A symbol of Vicious
    In Chinese folk culture, snake, centipede, scorpion, gecko and toad are called Five Poisonous Creature because they’re poisonous, and snake is considered as the top one. And as cold-blood animal, snakes give people another negative impression.

    4. The Legend of White Snake (白蛇传)
    This legend is considered one of China’s four great folktales, along with “Lady Meng Jiang (孟姜女哭长城)”, “Butterfly Lovers (梁山伯与祝英台)”, and “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女)”. It is a famous Chinese fairytale about a snake spirit who disguised as a beautiful human girl, falls in love with a mortal man named Xu Xian. As their happy life together begins, an evil-minded monk tries to separate them and traps the white snake under a pagoda in Hangzhou. In this story, whitle snake became a symbol of beauty and kindness.

    Lucky and Unlucky Things for People Born in the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake

    Things to Bring Snakes Good Luck

  • Lucky numbers: 2, 8 and 9 and numbers containing them, such as 32 and 49
  • Lucky colors: red, light yellow, black
  • Lucky flower: orchid, cactus
  • Lucky directions: west, south, southwest
  • Lucky months: the 1st, 8th and 11th Chinese lunar months
  • Things to Bring Snakes Bad Luck

  • Unlucky numbers: 1,6 and 7 and numbers containing them, such as 15 and 36
  • Unlucky colors: brown, gold, white
  • Unlucky directions: northeast, northwest
  • Unlucky months: the 3rd,9th and 12th Chinese lunar months
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Traits: Wise, Intelligent, Calm …

    In Chinese culture, people who born in the year of snake are considered to be smart, talented and responsive. Although their appearance gives people a sense of indifference and calmness, they are actually warm, considerate, kind, polite and elegant. People who belong to snakes don't directly express their joy and anger, which make them the most difficult to understand among the twelve zodiac animals.

    Snake people are highly motivated. They are good at using time and space to achieve the goal before others act. In addition, they have strong willpower to overcome difficulties.

    Laziness is the greatest weakness of snake people. With great ambition, they talk more than act. Unless forced by pressure, they rarely take the initiative to take action. They’re too self-centered to accept the opinions of others.

    Strengths of Snake

  • Snakes are nimble minded and creative in arts.
  • Silent and not irritable
  • Snakes like fortune and good at making money
  • Weakness of Snake

  • Snakes are sensitive and suspicious, which brings less help from others
  • Snake people are dedicated in love and easy to be hurt
  • Male Snake Characteristics

    Due to jealousy, male snakes are not easy to get along with others. They prefer to be in the limelight and value fame and fortune. Men born in the year of snake are usually emotional and dedicated. They cannot tolerate lover’s betrayal. They have magic power to create miracle. But without other’s support, it’s difficult to accomplish the task.

    Female Snake Characteristics

    Female snakes are emotional, strong-minded and independent. They have a clear goal in mind and stick to it with specific plan. It is difficult for others to know what they think, as they are good at hiding their true thoughts. Female snake values the feelings between her and her lover most. Household affairs from a big family are the most annoying things to snake girl. Female snakes are persevering people who never give up, which make them success in career.

    Chinese Zodiac Snake Five Elements for Five Personalities

    ElementsPersonalitiesRecent Years
    Wood SnakeOrderly, intelligent, with a gift for appreciating the knowing celebrities and a refined taste1905, 1965, 2025
    Fire SnakeSmart, insightful, communicative, active, and fond of the limelight1917, 1977, 2037
    Earth SnakeCalm, with strong self-control, but not steadfast and diligent enough in work1929, 1989, 2049
    Metal SnakeDetermined, courageous, confident, and able: a born leader1941, 2001, 2061
    Water SnakeClever, creative, lively, and communicative, but sentimental1953, 2013, 2073

    Zodiac Snake Love Compatibility – Your Most Compatible Zodiacs

    Chinese zodiac animal compatibility is mainly derived from the inter-promoting and inter-regulating relations of traditional Chinese astrology’s 12 Dizhi (地支, Earthly Branches). Accordingly, some of the zodiac animal signs can be compatible, while some may not get along with each other. Read on to know what Chinese zodiac signs are most compatible with the Snake zodiac in love, friendship, and business.

    Best Matches: Monkey, Ox, Rooster

    According to Chinese astrology, the Snake, the Ox, and the Rooster are one of the four trines of the San He (三合, Three Harmonies) groups. The three animals in the same group could be harmonious and bring good luck to each other.

    Besides, the Snake and the Monkey are one pair of the Liu He (六合, Six Harmonies) groups. The two animal signs in the same compatible group get along very well and secretly help each other.

    The best companions for the people born in the year of the Snake are the reliable Ox, the dauntless Rooster and clever Monkey. Because the Ox people usually work uncomplainingly and without thought of personal gains or losses, they could cooperate well with the Snake people. Also, the snakes are easy to be attracted by the calm unwavering eyes of the Ox people and follow their advice. The people of the Snake and Rooster signs are both much concerned with their dress and appearance. So, they are easy to have common words. In addition, the Roosters are mostly social swingers knowing how to get along well with the Snake. In terms of the relationship with the Monkey, the Snake could coordinate well with them no matter as a couple or as partners in business.

    Least Matches: Pig, Tiger

    The Snake and the Pig are in one group of the Liu Chong (六冲, Six Conflicting) groups. They are not the best love compatibility because there will be many quarrels and disagreements. As for business, such a match may lead to endless troubles. The Pig couldn't get along well with the snake, as the Snake is mostly sleek and diplomatic while the Pig is honest.

    The Snake and the Tiger are also incompatible because they are in the same group of the Liu Hai (六害, Six Harming) groups. Harming means being harmful to each other generally. As such, if the Tiger and the Snake stay together, they could harm each other, even unintentionally. The Snake had better to avoid contacting with the challenging Tiger people who don't appreciate the penetrative eyes of the Snake.

    What’s more, the Snake, the Monkey, and the Tiger are also in the same group of the San Xing (三刑, Three Punishment) groups. This punishment group is called “ungrateful punishment”. The match of either two animal signs will affect each other and bring good luck in life to a close.

    Snake’s Compatibility with 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals

    RatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnake
    AverageBestWorstAverageAverageAverage
    HorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
    AverageAverageGoodBestAverageWorst

    Zodiac Snakes’ Horoscope in 2025, the Year of Snake

    2025 is the Year of the Snake. For those under the Snake zodiac sign, it’s your Ben Ming Nian. In Chinese astrology, Ben Ming Nian (本命年), or known as the Chinese zodiac year of birth, refers to the year of zodiac animal in which one was born. Ben Ming Nian comes every 12 years. So the next zodiac year for friends belonging to the Snake zodiac sign will be year 2037.

    According to traditional Chinese culture, people in their zodiac year will clash with Tai Sui (Fan Tasi Sui), the God of Year, who governs an entire year. It’s believed that people in their zodiac year will likely face misfortunes or disturbances during the year, such as illness, physical injuries, financial loss, problems at work, etc. However, it’s not completely a year of bad luck for everyone in the zodiac year of birth. Some may have good opportunities instead of bad fortune.

    In 2025 Ben Ming Nian, Snakes’ fortune usually fluctuates. You tend to have negative thoughts, and tempers flare. For those in love, relationships will be volatile. You must learn to control your temper and avoid getting into unnecessary quarrels over small matters. If you can overcome the challenges during the zodiac year 2025, you may still accomplish a lot. But in general, keep calm, refrain from overspending, and try to manage your health. Don’t make any hasty decisions.

    Career

    Although Snake people will offend Tai Sui in 2025, fortunately, you will still have good opportunities in your career. The auspicious stars “Tianjie”, "Suijia", and "Tianyi" will provide strong support for you in the workplace. You should pursue chances like going out to meet customers, promoting teams, going out for training, etc. These appropriate activities will bring opportunities to Snake people.

    As long as you pay attention to abide by the rules when encountering difficulties and maintain good communication with colleagues and customers, you will eventually be appreciated and respected and have the opportunity to be promoted or obtain shares. 

    If you want to start a business, it’s advisable to partner with others or invest a small amount within your capabilities. You should not expand the scale or join a brand blindly. Reducing risks is the purpose of this year.

    Wealth

    The wealth fortune of Snake people in 2025 will not be affected by the zodiac year, and your financial fortune will improve relatively quickly. But it should be noted that these are hard-earned money that tests your mental and physical strength, and you need to pay a lot to get rewards. 

    If you want to take shortcuts or opportunistically, looking for opportunities to make money, you will basically end up in failure. Therefore, in 2025, you should put away the idea of getting rich overnight, make money in a down-to-earth manner, pay attention to increasing revenue, and do not arbitrarily guarantee or lend money to others. As long as you work steadily, we can maintain a good income.

    Love & Relationship

    In 2025, the Snake natives will face a test in your romantic relationships. Married Snakes and those who are in a relationship may experience disharmony or even breaking up. You should deal with emotional issues carefully and rationally to avoid making decisions you will later regret. 

    Due to the influence of Tai Sui during your zodiac year, Snake people tend to be arrogant for other people. You should avoid using harsh words when communicating with your lover. Learn to treat your lover gently with respect to maintain a good relationship.

    Health

    Because of Fan Tai Sui, Snake people should pay special attention to your personal health in your zodiac year. No matter at work or outside the house, it will inexplicably cause unreasonable quarrels and physical conflicts because of offending Tai Sui. The inauspicious stars "Xueren" and "Jianfeng " indicate the possibility of bleeding and surgery. You should pay attention to driving safety and avoid going to dangerous places. 

    In addition, Snake people are always worried this year, and are under great pressure both physically and mentally. You should pay attention to relieve yourselves in time, so as not to hold it in your hearts for a long time, which will also affect your health. It is recommended that you can relieve stress by exercising, singing, talking to your family, etc.

    Zodiac Snake Famous People

  • 刘邦 Liu Bang (First emperor of the Han Dynasty) – born on December 28, 256 B.C. Wood Snake Year
  • 毛泽东 Mao Zedong – born on December 26, 1893    Fire Snake Year
  • Audrey Hepburn – born on May 4, 1929    Earth Snake Year
  • Aamir Khan – born on March 14, 1965    Wood Snake Year
  • John Fitzgerald Kennedy – born on May 29, 1917    Fire Snake Year
  • Pablo Ruiz Picasso – born on October 25, 1881    Gold Snake Year
  • Abraham Lincoln – born on February 12, 1809    Earth Snake Year
  • Mahatma Gandhi - born on October 2, 1869    Earth Snake Year
  • Chinese Zodiac Snake Vocabulary & Idioms

    ChinesePinyinEnglish
    生肖shēng xiāoChinese Zodiac
    农历生日nóng lì shēng rìLunar Birthday
    你属什么nǐ shǔ shén meWhat is your Chinese zodiac animal?
    我属蛇Wǒ shǔ shéI am a Snake in the Chinese zodiac sign
    画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúTo gild the lily.
    虎头蛇尾hǔ tóu shé wěiIn like a lion, out like a lamb.
    打草惊蛇dǎ cǎo jīng shéAct rashly and alert the enemy.
    龙蛇混杂lóng shé hùn záMixture of the good and the bad.
    人心不足蛇吞象rén xīn bù zú shé tūn xiàngGreedy snakes eating elephants

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