Time to wriggle into the Year of the Snake! Read on to learn more about this sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac, what it symbolizes in Chinese culture, and famous people who were born in a snake year.

When is the Year of the Snake?

The Year of the Snake starts Jan. 29, 2025 and lasts until Feb. 16, 2026. Since the Lunar New Year follows the, you guessed it, lunar calendar, the dates according to the solar or Gregorian calendar (the one most commonly used) shift every year. And because the Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle, your animal comes up every dozen years.

Not sure if you’re the Year of the Snake? Check out our handy zodiac chart.

How does the snake fit with the rest of the Chinese zodiac?

Legend says the Jade Emperor called a race to determine the order of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, and dragon came in first through fifth place. The horse was a close sixth, but little did it know the snake had wrapped itself around its leg. Right before the finish line, it slithered out, startling the horse, and dashed ahead to snag that sixth position.

The snake's personality

People born in snake years are thought to be mysterious and wise. While they're deep thinkers and dynamic speakers, they don't let others know too much about them. They also have a tendency to ignore others' opinions and follow their own judgement, which is often right.

What else does the snake mean in Chinese culture?

While in Western culture the snake or serpent is associated with evil, temptation, and sneakiness, in Chinese culture the creature symbolizes good luck and prosperity. In addition the serpent (called "little dragon" in ancient China) is considered one of four Supernatural Creatures which represent the four quadrants of heaven. The east has the blue dragon, the south gets the phoenix, the west has a white tiger, and the north has the serpent and tortoise.

What's up for 2025?

When your animal year comes up in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, that’s called ben ming nian. During that time, it’s believed that you’re more vulnerable to adversity.

Those born in the Year of the Snake may face both career and financial challenges. Best to avoid negative influences, prioritize health, and try to be adaptive. Lucky numbers for snakes this year include 2, 8, 9, and numbers containing those digits while unlucky ones are 1, 6, and 7. Lucky colors are red, black, and yellow. Unlucky ones are brown, gold, and white.

Famous snakes

If you were born in a snake year, you join the ranks of Chairman Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China; award-winning author Chang-Rae Lee (Native Speaker); businesswoman and former government official Elaine Chao; chef and restauranteur David Chang; actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle); action star Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings); and acting legends Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern) and James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once).

Learn more about the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

[Lead image: Year of the Snake card by Ivory Tower Studios]