Photo: 123RF
As New Zealand's Asian communities celebrate the lunar new year on Wednesday, what can we expect from the Year of the Snake?
Revered for an ability to shed its skin, the snake (蛇, shé) is typically associated with wisdom, mystery and transformation in traditional Chinese culture.
As a result, the next lunar new year is likely to be a period of rebirth as we move away from our old ways, learning from the past as we move forward to a new future.
In Chinese folklore, snakes are also called "little dragons".
According to ancient legend, the snake undergoes a transformation over hundreds of years to eventually become a jiao (蛟), a mythical creature that lives underwater.
One thousand years later, the jiao becomes a dragon without horns.
It eventually grows horns several centuries later before ultimately becoming a celestial dragon that soars through the sky after another millennia.
Photo: 123RF
Ancient origins
In traditional Chinese culture, snakes are closely associated with auspicious creatures such as fish (symbolizing wealth), dragons (power) and turtles (longevity).
All four creatures are thought to share transformative connections.
According to legend, a carp that successfully swims upstream and leaps over the Dragon Gate undergoes transformation into a dragon.
Some say the carp's arduous journey from the sea to the Dragon Gate required it to take the form of a snake to traverse the sandy shallows at the mouth of the Yellow River.
The snake sheds several layers of skin along the way, enduring excruciating pain as it tries to reach its goal.
It is believed only carp that were able to jump over the Dragon Gate became dragons.
Other parts of the world hold snakes in similar high regard.
Ancient Greek mythology connects snakes with wisdom and healing through the rod of Asclepius that is wrapped by a serpent.
Southeast and South Asian cultures are rich with cobra myths and tales of snakes safeguarding Buddha.
In Egyptian mythology, the sun god often appears in serpent form, symbolising the creative force of the universe and the cycle of renewal.
Similarly, ancient Chinese myths describe Pangu, the creator of the world, as having a dragon's head and a snake's body.
Even the sibling founders of the Chinese civilisation, Fuxi and Nüwa, are often depicted as having a human head and the body of a snake or dragon.
What's more, the ancient rulers of China - the Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor - are frequently portrayed as being part snake or dragon.
Glenfield Library’s team members are welcoming the year of the snake, Auckland Photo: Supplied / Henry Liu
Snake traits
The snake is the sixth of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac.
Its stealthy movement, hibernation patterns, dietary habits, moulting and adaptability in different environments generally give the creature an air of mystery.
That said, a snake's ability to coil lazily yet strike with speed, climb trees, swim and move with uncanny precision also give it a sense of unpredictability, elusiveness and ruthlessness.
In Chinese culture, snakes are also valued for their intuition, elegance and strategic thinking, traits associated with adaptability and patience - qualities needed to overcome challenges.
People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be insightful, graceful and resourceful.
They are also known for their vigilance, caution and rationality, making them adept at handling complex situations and pursuing creative endeavours
Snakes also share some traits with their more illustrious dragon counterparts, including emotional depth and long-term planning.
Prominent Year of the Snake personalities
- Ancient physician Hua Tuo
- Chinese leader Mao Zedong
- Actress Gong Li
- US president John F. Kennedy
- US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan
- British author J.K. Rowling
- US talk show host Oprah Winfrey
- British actor Daniel Radcliffe
- US pop star Taylor Swift
On January 11, 2025, Chinese language teacher Sim Yang led a cultural event for children to celebrate the Spring Festival in Auckland. Photo: Supplied
2025 prospects
Anyone born in the Year of the Snake can typically expect a year filled with challenges.
Indeed, it's possible they may experience mood swings or pessimism over the next 12 months.
It's believed that travelling may help relieve such emotional knots.
Anyone born on the Year of the Snake would be wise to pay attention to their relationships and health.
They would also be advised to take extra precautions about safety, especially when engaging in outdoor activities or when using metal tools.
Some believe that those born the current zodiac year can reduce the misfortune that may arise over those 12 months by donating blood or getting their teeth cleaned.
Additionally, they can alleviate misfortune by getting married, buying a new house or securing a promotion at work.
It's important for those born in the Year of the Snake to adopt a conservative approach in terms of their finances and career over the next 12 months to avoid risk.
People born in the zodiac signs that conflict with the snake - tigers and pigs - may face obstacles over the next 12 months and will need to exercise patience.
In contrast, zodiac signs that are compatible with the snake - roosters and oxen - are likely to have smoother lives, possibly even encountering new opportunities.
In addition to the zodiac animals, ancient Chinese tradition believes that five elements also influence one's fortune in a year: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
And if that wasn't getting complicated enough, the opposing balance of yin and yang also plays a role, with the former representing a cool, calm and contracting state and the latter representing an active, bright and expansive philosophy.
According to a traditional Chinese calendar, 2025 is a yin wood year associated with soft greenery.
As such, the Year of the Little Green Wood Dragon is expected to bring abundant rainfall in spring and summer, favourable agricultural conditions and bountiful harvests in autumn and winter.
However, some challenges are likely to persist in other industries, with high prices and limited growth opportunities.
Meanwhile, the next 12 months is also the second year of a 20-year "li fire" cycle that is characterized by global unrest, natural disasters such as wildfires, and shifts in technology, art and intellect (e.g., artificial intelligence).
Stability continues to be the best strategy for navigating such challenging times.
We would like to conclude by wishing all our readers a very happy new year - whatever zodiac animal you happen to be!
