Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Yin-yang: Yin
Symbolic qualities
- wise
- intuitive
- elegant
- strategic
The Snake is the symbol of wisdom that looks beneath the surface. It observes quietly and makes its move with thought. Its shadow side is suspicion and hiding its feelings too much.
The inward, receptive, nurturing side. In yin years the element is expressed in a calmer, deeper way.
Cultural note
In everyday speech the snake is sometimes called the "little dragon". Its shedding of skin is linked with renewal, and its quiet movement with intuition and caution.
Things you might reflect on
- Beneath the surface, what might you be missing in a situation?
- On which matter would you like to listen to your instinct more?
- How would it feel to share a hidden feeling with someone you trust?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1905 · Wood · 4 February 1905
- 1917 · Fire · 23 January 1917
- 1929 · Earth · 10 February 1929
- 1941 · Metal · 27 January 1941
- 1953 · Water · 14 February 1953
- 1965 · Wood · 2 February 1965
- 1977 · Fire · 18 February 1977
- 1989 · Earth · 6 February 1989
- 2001 · Metal · 24 January 2001
- 2013 · Water · 10 February 2013
- 2025 · Wood · 29 January 2025
- 2037 · Fire · 15 February 2037
- 2049 · Earth · 2 February 2049
- 2061 · Metal · 21 January 2061
- 2073 · Water · 7 February 2073
- 2085 · Wood · 26 January 2085
- 2097 · Fire · 12 February 2097
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Snake
- Wood feeds fire: wisdom meets creativity. An intuitive, inspiring snake who opens its inner world more easily.
- Fire Snake
- The snake doubled in its own element: passion and intensity, bright intuition. The tendency to suspicion and secrecy rises too.
- Earth Snake
- Fire feeds earth: it turns intensity into a patient structure. Its strategy is tied to concrete results.
- Metal Snake
- Fire shapes metal: the snake is flexible, adaptable and keen in intuition. It makes measured but resolute moves.
- Water Snake
- Water tempers fire: the snake is calmer and deeper. Its intuition flows, and its anger and suspicion soften.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.