The Year of the Snake comes between the years of the dragon and the horse in the Chinese zodiac. People born this year are thought to have traits similar to snakes, such as intelligence and efficiency.
Snakes are such an important part of Chinese culture that people even believe they bring good luck and prosperity.
And hey, you might not be so quick to disagree when you read about some famous people born in the Year of the Snake!
Whether or not you belong to the Year of the Snake, keep reading to learn more about its symbolism!
The Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle in which each year is represented by a different animal. It is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and is an integral part of Chinese culture.
The cycle starts again every Chinese New Year, which falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar.
For thousands of years, people have believed that a person’s characteristics are influenced by the animal in the Chinese zodiac during their birth year.
In Chinese, the zodiac is Sheng Xiao, with Sheng meaning “birth year” and Xiao “likeness.”
Legend has it that all animals raced against each other, and the fastest twelve were featured in the Chinese zodiac.
However, different versions of the tale say the animals were invited to a banquet, and those who attended made it into the zodiac.
Year of the Snake Traits
The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Like the rest of the zodiac, the Year of the Snake comes every twelve years, with 2025 being the Year of the Wood Snake.
This cycle begins on January 29, 2025, and ends on February 16, 2026.
People born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be intelligent, organized, and efficient. In nature, a snake targets larger prey so it can hunt less, reducing the amount of work it needs to do.
This may translate into innovative ideas and career success for people with these traits.
But like the snake, people born during this zodiac may also have a sly or arrogant side. A snake uses its patterned, scaly skin to camouflage itself when searching for prey.
People who belong to the Year of the Snake might use deception to get their way.
Year of the Snake Symbology
The snake has gained a lot of respect in Chinese culture.
As far back as 200 B.C., people in Ancient China believed snakes would bring good luck, prolong their lives, and encourage a productive harvest season.
Snakes were featured on bronze relics and used for religious activities like praying. Government leaders even adopted the snake as an emblem on their gold seals, symbolizing power and status.
They were even believed to be close to the Chinese gods, such as the brother and sister deities Fuxi and Nuwa.
Considered to be the sun god and the sun goddess, Fuxi and Nuwa have been depicted in paintings with snake bodies and tails.
Snakes are held in such high regard that there is even a popular ancient Chinese love story called “The Legend of the White Snake.”
In this tale, a man falls in love with a woman who turns out to be a white snake.
Versions of the story during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) portray the White Snake as caring and devoted.
Famous Year of the Snake Personalities
Many famous people were born in the Year of the Snake:
Billie Eilish: Born on December 18, 2001, she was just 17 years old when she released her first studio album. She was also the first artist born in the 21st century to have an album that topped the Billboard 200 charts.
Daniel Radcliffe: Best known for his role as Harry Potter, Radcliffe was born on July 23, 1989. He was just 11 years old in the first movie of the Harry Potter series.
Taylor Swift: Her “Eras Tour” in 2024 set a new record for the highest-grossing music tour of all time, with $2 billion in ticket sales. She was born on December 13, 1989.
Jason Derulo: This singer-songwriter was born on September 21, 1989, and has sold more than a quarter of a million singles. His surname is actually spelled Desrouleaux.
Pierce Brosnan: The Irish actor was born on May 16, 1953, and is most famous for his role as James Bond between 1995 and 2002. Before then, he played a charming con man in the TV series “Remington Steele.”
The significance of the snake runs deep in Chinese culture and history. From its religious ties to its cultural symbolism, those born in the Year of the Snake have much to feel proud of!
According to many people in ancient China, the snake brings good fortune and a plentiful harvest. Some of today’s most famous movie stars and singers were born in the Year of the Snake.
Whether or not you believe good fortune comes from a snake, you can channel this reptile’s intelligent and quick-thinking nature to achieve your goals, too!
