January 29th marked the start of the Lunar New Year in 2025! Although the year has come and gone, I still wanted to write my own small piece about it because my sign is the Snake! This year was full of ups and downs. I wish I could say it had been a lucky year…maybe it was, but it felt insumountably difficult. Finances, job status, politics, family health, and my post-partum journey were Goliaths in my personal cage match of 2025. Yet here were are on the eve of 2026 and as I look back at the year, my greatest joys were focused on my daughter, creativity, friendship, and family. Let’s take a look at the meaning of the snake and the overall key points behind what it brought to 2025.

Just as 2024 was the Wood Dragon, this year is also marked by the element of Wood for the Snake. The snake belongs to the yin, associated with darkness, dampness and femininity. Yet, Snakes also have positive symbolism. They are regarded as little dragons (xiaolong 小龍) because they resemble the dragon’s appearance.

According to Professor Xiaohuan Zhao (Professor of Sinology (Religion, Literature and Theatre) in the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney), “The skin snakes shed is referred to as the dragon’s coat (longyi 龍衣), symbolising good luck, rebirth and regality. The snake also symbolizes the pursuit of love and happiness, a theme beautifully illustrated in the traditional folk tale, ‘The Legend of the White Snake’. The snake can also represent wealth and wisdom, and in traditional Chinese culture, they are often grouped with the turtle and the crane as a symbol of longevity.”

Snake people are particularly enigmatic and uncanny. They are wise, discreet, agile, attractive and full of sympathy. There is a tendency for them to be lazy, greedy, arrogant and indulging in self-admiration. Snakes project a cool exterior, but under their calm appearance they hide a heart of fire. So they maintain their composure and observe things around them, and carry out their tasks quietly.

They are passionate to help others. This can be especially seen from their initiative in helping new colleagues and friends. For women, they are sociable with remarkable disposition. Especially at the dance party, they are usually welcomed and invited by many men.

Image credits: ga-den and 春風るぅat Pixiv.net

The Lunar New Year is the start of a calendar year that follows the moon cycles, based on the lunisolar calendar. It’s observed all over East and Southeast Asia and even in the Middle East and cultures vary in their zodiac and traditions. Most commonly known as the Chinese New Year, it is also the Spring Festival, chunjie (春节). The first full moon of the lunar year marks the end of the new year celebrations and is known as the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节) or Lantern Festival (灯节). Traditions of the New Year often include eating dumplings, receiving money, setting off fireworks, and decorating or wearing the color red. Red is for protection and fortune! My own personal tradition is to order take-out and practice a bit of origami. We celebrated with my daughter and allowed her to play with my old Beanie Babies: Hissy, Derby, Magic, and Scorch since those represent the signs in our household.

Unlike the solar calendar which always begins the calendar year on January 1st, the Lunar New Year’s beginning can vary across the months of January and February. The years of the snake include: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025. If you are a January or February baby, be sure to check what date the new year falls on for that year!

Similar to the 12 Western zodiac signs, the Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, is represented by 12 animal signs. The legend of the zodiac is that the Jade Emperor summoned the 12 animals to race to his palace for a banquet. The order of the zodiac is the order that they arrived at the palace: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Although, the rat was said to have cheated by riding on the back of the Ox before leaping in front across the finish line!

On top of the zodiac animals, the new year is tied to one of the five elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, or Wood based off of the Wu Xing philosophy. All the elements are interconnected and there is no hierarchy. The goal is simply balance and harmony. These elements bring out certain traits within the zodiac signs and some elements are more compatible with signs than others.

According to astrologer, Susan Levitt: The element of Wood is the lesser yang character of the Five elements, which begets the element of Fire. It stands for springtime, the color green, windy weather, and the Azure Dragon (Qing Long) in Four Symbols. The Wood element adds a layer of growth, creativity, and flexibility. Just as the Snake sheds its skin, this year represents the opportunity to renew oneself, embrace new possibilities, and leave behind outdated ways. Wood represents the direction East, the planet Jupiter, and represents beginnings, growth, and vitality. In Chinese Taoist thought, wood is representative of action, idealism, imagination, and compassion.

So what does the combination of the Wood element and the Snake sign mean? According to my favorite horoscope app is Daily Horoscope (also in the App Store), this will be a year favorable and full of opportunities for all signs. It’s a year of fresh starts, perfect for setting ambitious goals, embracing risks, and chasing your wildest dreams! Yet while there will be personal growth, there will also be setbacks. Be cautious of conflicts and quarrels and try to maintain balance and calm. The Wood Dragon will teach us to adapt to almost any situation, even the most difficult. Seize opportunities, stay focused, and you’ll see your potential unfold! I find this app in particular to be eerily accurate for my own readings. It provides both western and eastern zodiac readings, plus Druid. Check it out, it’s a lot of fun!

Lucky things for Snake

• Colors: cyan blue, purple
• Directions: West, Northeast
• Numbers: 6, 8
• Flowers: Bamboo, Cyclamen

UnLucky things for Snakes

• Colors: black, red
• Numbers: 4, 9

Finally, here are a couple of books to enjoy that reference the Chinese zodiac: The New Astrology by Suzanne White and the Fruits Basket manga series.

Thank you for reading! How did this relate to your personal 2025?
Happy new year to all! May you be blessed with good fortune!