2025 Is The Year of the Snake: Here’s What That Means

January 29th was the official start of the Chinese New Year as we welcomed the Year of the Snake. Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the celebration of a new zodiac cycle. Always in January or February, the timing shifts based on the date of the second new moon following the Winter Solstice. (For we who follow western astrology, this is at each year’s New Moon in Aquarius.) Calling this celebration the Spring Festival may seem confusing because it falls in the midst of our coldest days. But Chinese New Year captures the most optimistic part of winter: it’s getting a little bit lighter every day! 

2024 was a turbulent Year of the Dragon, and now in 2025 we begin a wise and intuitive Year of the Snake. What does the Year of the Snake mean for us? Let’s find out!

Jaime Wright pens moon missives, an ever-evolving astrology writing project that began in 2016. For almost a decade, she has seen clients online and in person in Brooklyn, NY. She also writes a weekly and monthly horoscope column for PureWow, hosts the good fortune! podcast, and is the house astrologer for Jovian, and Errands.

The Chinese Zodiac dates back to the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago, and is rooted in a system of zoolatry (or animal worship). As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all of the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his Palace first would win his favor. 

Unlike the Dragon who is beloved for being a bit of a show queen, the Snake is known for being a calm presence among the animals. Rather than rushing to the finish line or trying to save a drought-ridden village along the way, the strategic Snake joined the race by coiling around the Horse’s hoof. The Snake finished behind the Horse in sixth place. A respectable finish behind the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and Rabbit. Some say the Snake actually got there before the Dragon, but because the Dragon made his arrival into such a big to do, the more low-key Snake missed out on fifth place.

The Snake is known for being calm, introspective and strategic, all qualities one needs to live a life of wisdom and grace.

The Chinese Zodiac has a 12-year cycle. Snake years include 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. Public figures born during Snake years include Bob Dylan, Nora Ephron, Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Khan, Bjork, Dr. Dre, Alan Cumming, Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift, Daniel Radcliffe, SZA, and Billie Eilish. A creative, somewhat mysterious and definitely no-nonsense bunch!

Note: Because of the lunar calendar, if you’re born between January 1 and February 4 of any of the above years, it was still the Year of the Dragon. If you’re born between January 1 and February 4 of the following years (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014), you were too born during the Year of the Snake.

Snakes are cunning, and are known to be the smartest of the zodiac. Snakes don’t just act smart, they also look smart. Known for their calm and elegance, Snakes slither through social situations and get along with all kinds of people. Snakes are teachers and taste-makers, people that everyone else looks to for guidance. Snakes aren’t outwardly showy, but they have an inner strength and ambition. Though Snakes are very sensitive and intuitive people, they can be withholding, and may come off as detached or aloof outside of their closest circle.

Overall, Snakes are intelligent, resilient and artistic.

Snake Years are for big transformations. Some might associate change with chaos, but Snakes are masters of a more quiet upheaval. This is a year for claiming power, letting go of draining attachments and shedding a previous version of the self. It’s a year to make mindset shifts and see how that calm focus transforms your reality from the inside out.

In addition to the animals, the Chinese Zodiac also cycles through five different elements. So 2025 isn’t only the Year of the Snake, it’s the year of the Wood Snake. Elemental Wood represents creativity and growth. Wood years are flexible: think of how a big oak tree can bend and sway in the wind. Between the cunning of the Snake and the flexibility of Wood, 2025 is all about breaking through major blocks. Snakes have Yin energy (receptive, feminine) compared to the Yang energy (masculine, active) of the Dragon. This is going to feel amazing for those who struggled with the hot and heavy turbulence of 2024’s Dragon Year. 

For those born in a Snake year, 2025 is their Ben Ming Nian, or a year traditionally believed to bring bad luck. Though this year may not be a cake walk of good fortune and blessing, Snakes are in for major milestones and some big life changes. It’s a year of transformation and there’s no other sign who sheds their skin quite like the Snake.

Those born during a Rooster or Ox year share some of Snake’s traits like hard work and patience, and may end up having their best year ever.

There are certain symbols, directions and colors that are auspicious for each zodiac sign. This can apply to those born as that sign as well as for all of us during that particular zodiac year. During the Year of the Snake those are:

• Colors: Red, Black
• Numbers: 1, 8
• Flowers: Camelia, Orchid
• Direction: West, South

Happy Year of the Snake! TL;DR: this year’s mantra is “The only constant is change.”