What do JFK, Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali and Taylor Swift all have in common? They were all born in the Year of the Snake.
As we get set to celebrate Lunar New Year commencing on 29 January, Professor Jing Han, Director of Western Sydney University's Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture, explains to us what the Year of the Snake means – as well as what the year ahead may hold for those born under this auspicious animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Professor Han said those born in the Year of the Snake are said to be mysterious, determined, charismatic and wise – and maybe a little sceptical, or even obstinate.
Along with JFK and Tay Tay, other famous Snakes in history include Bob Dylan, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Hawking, Tony Blair and Volodymyr Zelensky.
"If you were born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, or will be born between 29 January 2025 and 16 February 2026, you are and will be the Snake," said Professor Han.
"The Snake is the sixth of the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac. As the legend has it, the Jade Emperor called the race to create the zodiac and all animals were invited to participate for a chance to be featured in the zodiac system. The first 12 animals to cross the river and the finish line would earn a place in the lunar calendar and in the order they completed the race.
"The Rat – by taking a ride on the back of the Ox – completed the race first, because the Rat jumped ahead of the Ox at the finish line.
"The Pig, who needed to eat and take a few naps along the way, came the last. Hence the order of the 12-animal cycle is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig."
Professor Han said the Chinese zodiac and its variations are celebrated in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Thailand.
In some parts of Thailand, the Pig is replaced with an elephant. In Vietnam, by replacing the Rabbit, the Cat finally also secures a place in the zodiac.
"In the zodiac system, the emphasis is on one's birth year rather than month. In Chinese, the zodiac system is called Sheng Xiao and also Shu Xiang, meaning 'birth year' and 'likeness'. It is believed that one's personality is related to the attributes of their zodiac animal," said Professor Han.
"The Snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are mysterious, charismatic, intuitive, calm, strategic, positive, wise, determined, intelligent, goal-oriented, responsible and graceful.
"They are deep thinkers, good at problem solving and excellent communicators, although they can also be indifferent, sceptical, possessive, and obstinate."
Professor Han said in Chinese culture and philosophy, the eternal Five Elements govern the phenomena occurring in the natural world. These are Fire, Wood, Metal, Water and Earth and they also affect the characteristic traits of the zodiac animals.
"This year, it is Wood, so Wood Snake are said to be precise, cool-headed, creative, and have logical thinking," she said.
"The Snake is also called 'Little Dragon', hence the Year of the 'Little Dragon' refers to the Year of the Snake. That is because the Snake shares the appearance and mysterious qualities of the Dragon and it is believed that the mythical figure of the Dragon has originally been modelled on the Snake."
Professor Han said in China, Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival which starts on the eve of the lunar new year and ends on the 15th day of the first month, being known as the Lantern Festival. In 2025, the Lantern Festival will be on 12 February.
"The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries and increasingly around the world, including Australia," said Professor Han.
"The first recorded Chinese New Year celebration in Sydney was in 1899. In 2019, the name of the celebration was changed to Lunar New Year to better reflect the increasingly multicultural society of Australia and to include all communities who celebrate the Lunar New Year.
"Since 2020 the annual celebration has been known as the Sydney Lunar Festival and become one of the largest celebrations of the Lunar New Year outside Asia and one of Sydney's major annual arts festivals."
OTHER FUN FACTS ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE
- Apparently – choose to believe or not to believe! – the Snake is most compatible with Rooster, Ox and Monkey. Snakes are meant to be least compatible with Pig and Tiger.
- Professions that those born in the Year of the Snake are best suited to include artist, politician, teacher, painter, psychologist, public relations officer, TV presenters, scientist, magician, dietician, sociologist, and social media influencer.
- Some famous Snakes:
- John F Kennedy
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Audrey Hepburn
- Muhammad Ali
- Bob Dylan
- Oprah Winfrey
- Taylor Swift
- Mia Wasikowska
- JK Rowling
- Babara Walters
- Stephen Hawking
- Dick Cheney
- Tony Blair
- Prince George
- Emmanuel Macron
- Volodymyr Zelensky, who also caught the tail of the Snake – born on 25 January 1978, whilst the Year of the Snake ended on 27 January in 1978.
