What is the Year of the Snake? The Lunar New Year zodiac explained
Here's everything you need to know, plus some last-minute gift ideas.
By Kate Ng, Yahoo Life UK
This year, the Lunar New Year falls today — Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 — marking the start of the Year of the Snake. The Lunar New Year, also widely known as Chinese New Year, falls on a different date every year because it is determined by the lunar calendar, where the first day of the month begins during the new moon.
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The 12 Chinese zodiac animals will take it in turns to determine the year ahead, with its different attributes and personalities influencing all the others as well.
The Chinese zodiac also includes five elements that influence the animal of the year. These include wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, and are rooted in a Chinese philosophy that explores how things are connected.
That makes 2025 the Year of the Wood Snake. The last Year of the Wood Snake took place in 1965.
Here’s what the Year of the Wood Snake might have in store for us all - and what the other Chinese zodiac animals are.
What is the Year of the Wood Snake?
People who are born in the Year of the Snake are said to carry positive traits such as wisdom, passion and determination, as well as more cautious behaviours because of their suspicious nature.
Professor Jing Han, director of Western Sydney University’s Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture, said that the Snake is associated with "wisdom, charm, elegance and transformation".
People born in the Year of the Snake are "deep thinkers, good at problem solving and excellent communicators, although they can also be indifferent, skeptical, possessive, and obstinate", he said.
The element for 2025 is Wood, and the Wood Snake is said to be "precise, cool-headed, creative, and have logical thinking."
But while you may think that having an entire year dedicated to one zodiac animal would mean good fortune for those born in the year of that particular animal, this isn’t always the case in the Chinese zodiac.
South China Morning Post predicts that this year, people born in the Year of the Snake may "face challenges in career and finances." They will need "optimism and adaptability to overcome setbacks and achieve success."
This influences other zodiac animals’ fortunes, too. For example, those born in the year of the Tiger and the Pig are predicted to face a "challenging" 2025, while the Rooster, Sheep and Dragon can look forward to having a "rewarding" year ahead.
It is said that the best romantic matches for the Snake include the Rooster, Ox and Monkey, while the worst matches are the Pig and Tiger.
Celebrities born in the Year of the Snake
Famous faces who were born in the Year of the Snake include:
Taylor Swift (1989)
Audrey Hepburn (1929)
Bob Dylan (1941)
Oprah Winfrey (1954)
JK Rowling (1965)
Stephen Hawking (1942)
Muhammad Ali (1942)
Tony Blair (1953)
Prince George (2013)
Emmanuel Macron (1977)
What are the other Chinese zodiac animals?
The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals, including:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Legend has it that the Chinese zodiac came into existence when the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven and earth in traditional Chinese culture, called all the animals to participate in a race for a chance to be featured in the zodiac system.
The first 12 animals to cross a river and the finish line would be given a place in the lunar calendar. The Rat finished first, having hitched a ride on the Ox across the river and beating him to the finish line.
Last to reach the finish line was the Pig, who, according to Han, "needed to eat and take a few naps along the way."
Best Lunar New Year gift ideas
Keep your phone, keys, wallet and other little necessities on hand with this lucky little belt bag — a festive twist on one of Luluemon's bestselling styles.
This limited-edition set has six makeup items from popular brands and is valued at more than $200.
Red envelopes are a Lunar New Year tradition, said to symbolize good luck and prosperity. This 24-set from Amazon features six different snake-adorned designs.
Lego is fun for all ages — kids and adults alike! While building this lucky Money Tree, you'll find 20 tangerines, 14 red envelopes and 10 coins. It's suitable for ages nine and up.
This "Amazon's Choice" travel mug makes "an excellent gift" and is "durable," too. It claims to keep drinks cold for up to six hours and hot for up to three.
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