If the year is already off to a shaky start for you, Chinese New Year presents a chance to reset. As luck would have it, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and despite their sly ways, these cold-blooded creatures also symbolise transformation, growth and healing. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Spring Festival.

People born under the Year of the Snake tend to be intelligent, charming, enigmatic, independent, sensitive and even sympathetic.

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What Is Spring Festival?

Those who follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year’s Day on the first day of the year, while other cultures use the lunisolar calendar and wait for the return of the new moon, which appears between 21 January and 20 February. This signals the start of the Spring Festival – the spring season begins after the winter solstice draws to a close.

In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on 29 January. Along with firework displays, grand parades, dance performances, costumes and traditional food, each year brings something special.

Each Lunar New Year is represented by one of the Chinese zodiac animals. There are twelve in total – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig – representing a twelve-year cycle. This year marks the Year of the Snake – more specifically, the Wood Snake.

Legend has it that the order of the Chinese lunar calendar is based on a popular race that the Jade Emperor held many moons ago.

Everyone has a Chinese zodiac, which is determined by the year you were born and one of the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water – according to traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese zodiac, also known as ‘Shengxiao’, translates to ‘born resembling’. Hence, people with the same zodiac might have different personality traits depending on the element associated with them.

Legend has it that the order of the Chinese calendar is based on a popular race that the Jade Emperor held many moons ago. The outcome of this race determined the blueprint for the calendar. To finish the race, the animals had to successfully cross a river. The Jade Emperor assigned a year to each animal, depending on their ranking in the race.

The resourceful Rat was the first to finish – which is why it represents the first year on the Chinese calendar – while the generous Pig came last, as it ate and took naps along the way.

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What Does the Year of the Snake Bring?

The Snake zodiac symbolises wisdom; these creatures are also mysterious, intuitive and creative. Snakes are considered to be related to the only mythical animal among the Chinese zodiacs, the Dragon, and are often referred to as the ‘Little Dragon’. They have the power to bring good fortune, despite their seemingly evil nature. As snakes shed dead skin, they make room for transformation, growth and rebirth; they also symbolise fertility.

The last ‘Wood Snake Year’ occurred 60 years ago in 1965 and will especially affect people born then.

Each Chinese zodiac sign experiences each Spring Festival differently. And while one might imagine having the same symbol as the year would bring good luck, it’s considered unfavourable. This phenomenon is described as ‘Ben Ming Nian’. In this event, friends and family are encouraged to share a red-coloured gift or object with the person, as their good luck will transfer. The last ‘Wood Snake Year’ occurred 60 years ago in 1965 and will especially affect people born then.

Previous snake years include 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. People born under the Year of the Snake tend to be intelligent, charming, enigmatic, independent, sensitive and even sympathetic.

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It’s a Celebration!

The Year of the Snake begins on 29 January 2025 and lasts for about 15 days. This event is a time for feasting, gift-giving and celebrating ancestors and deities. It’s also an opportunity to rib bad energy and welcome good fortune.

Many traditions are steeped in symbolism. Wearing red, a colour of good luck, is customary. Red envelopes filled with even amounts of money are gifted to loved ones. Odd numbers, however, are considered unlucky. Spring cleaning during festivities is thought to be bad luck, as you could sweep away good fortune.

Traditional foods also play a key role in Lunar New Year celebrations. Mooncakes, made with glutinous rice flour and filled with sweet or savoury fillings, are a favourite treat. Each region has a unique take on these delicacies. Other festive dishes include longevity noodles (one long noodle eaten whole), whole baked fish (symbolising abundance) and sticky rice (representing togetherness).

Love astrology? Meet the zodiac signs as sweet treats.