The Snake is the sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac. In the West it has a bad reputation, but in Chinese culture it's the sign of wisdom, intuition and elegance, with a flattering nickname to match: the "little dragon".
In this guide you'll find the exact dates of every Snake year, what the Snake means in Chinese culture, the personality traits tradition gives it, its lucky signs and best matches, famous people born in Snake years, and the Mandarin you need to talk about it.
Key takeaways
- The next Year of the Snake runs from 15 February 2037 to 3 February 2038 (a Fire Snake year).
- Snake years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. Each starts on Chinese New Year.
- The Snake stands for wisdom, intuition, mystery and transformation.
- Tradition describes Snakes as wise, calm and determined, but also secretive.
- Best matches: Monkey, Ox and Rooster. Classic clash: Pig.
When is the next Year of the Snake?
The most recent Snake year ran from 29 January 2025 to 16 February 2026. The next one starts on 15 February 2037 and ends on 3 February 2038.
The zodiac year starts on Chinese New Year, which moves between 21 January and 20 February. Born in January or early February? Check the start date below. Anyone born between 1 January and 16 February 2026 is a Snake, not a Horse. Oprah Winfrey, born on 29 January 1954, is another surprise Snake: the Horse year only began on 3 February 1954.
Year of the Snake dates
Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
1929 | 10 Feb 1929 | 29 Jan 1930 | Earth Snake |
1941 | 27 Jan 1941 | 14 Feb 1942 | Metal Snake |
1953 | 14 Feb 1953 | 2 Feb 1954 | Water Snake |
1965 | 2 Feb 1965 | 20 Jan 1966 | Wood Snake |
1977 | 18 Feb 1977 | 6 Feb 1978 | Fire Snake |
1989 | 6 Feb 1989 | 26 Jan 1990 | Earth Snake |
2001 | 24 Jan 2001 | 11 Feb 2002 | Metal Snake |
2013 | 10 Feb 2013 | 30 Jan 2014 | Water Snake |
2025 | 29 Jan 2025 | 16 Feb 2026 | Wood Snake |
2037 | 15 Feb 2037 | 3 Feb 2038 | Fire Snake |
Each Snake year also carries one of the Five Elements (五行 wǔxíng), which change every two years. The Snake's own natural element is Fire, so 2037, a Fire Snake year, is considered the Snake at its most intense.
What does the Snake mean in Chinese culture?
蛇 shé · snake
In one version of the Great Race, the Snake hid coiled around the Horse's hoof. Just before the finish line it slid off, startling the Horse, and slipped into sixth place. Quiet, patient, perfectly timed: that's the Snake's reputation.
The snake is one of the oldest animals in Chinese mythology. Nüwa and Fuxi, the goddess and god who created humanity, are usually drawn with human heads and snake tails. The snake is also seen as the dragon's earthly cousin, which is why people born in a Snake year often prefer to say they're a 小龙 xiǎolóng, a "little dragon".
The most famous snakes in Chinese literature are the heroines of the Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传 Báishé Zhuàn). A white snake spirit takes human form, falls in love with a young man at Hangzhou's West Lake, and fights a stern monk to stay with him. It's been retold in Chinese opera, film and TV for centuries, and it casts the snake as loyal and loving rather than evil.
Because snakes shed their skin, they're also linked to renewal and transformation. A Snake year is traditionally a time for careful planning, reflection and slow, steady progress.
Personality traits of people born in the Year of the Snake
In Chinese tradition, your zodiac animal is said to shape your character. It's cultural heritage rather than science, but Snakes are often surprised how well it fits.
Strengths
Wise. Snakes think deeply and give advice that's worth listening to.
Intuitive. They read people and situations quickly, often without being able to say why.
Calm. Pressure rarely shows on a Snake's face.
Elegant. Snakes have refined taste and a natural sense of style.
Determined. Once they set a goal, they pursue it quietly and patiently until they reach it.
Challenges
Secretive. Snakes keep their plans and feelings to themselves, which can feel distant.
Suspicious. They take a long time to trust new people.
Possessive. In relationships, a Snake can be jealous.
Holds grudges. A Snake rarely forgets being betrayed.
Aloof. Their reserve can come across as cold or superior.
Snake quick facts
Position | 6th of 12 |
Earthly branch | 巳 sì |
Hours of the Snake | 9 am to 11 am |
Fixed element | Fire |
Yin or yang | Yin |
Zodiac trio (三合 sānhé) | Snake, Ox, Rooster |
Watch out for three look-alikes: 巳 sì (the Snake's branch), 已 yǐ (already) and 己 jǐ (self). The difference is how far the top stroke closes.
Lucky signs for the Snake
These are folk beliefs, not science, and sources don't always agree. We use the list published by China Highlights for all twelve animals, so the guides stay consistent.
Lucky | Unlucky | |
|---|---|---|
Numbers | 2, 8, 9 (and numbers containing them, like 28 and 89) | 1, 6, 7 |
Colours | Black, red, yellow | Brown, gold, white |
Flowers | Orchid, cactus | |
Directions | East, west, southwest | Northeast, northwest |
Snake compatibility
Traditional compatibility comes from each animal's position on the zodiac wheel: trios four years apart (三合 sānhé) and pairs of "secret friends" (六合 liùhé) get along; opposites six years apart clash (六冲 liùchōng), and six pairs "harm" each other (六害 liùhài).
Sign | Why | |
|---|---|---|
Best match | Monkey 猴 | Secret friends (六合). The playful Monkey draws the Snake out of its shell, and the Snake grounds the Monkey. |
Best match | Ox 牛 | Same trio (三合). Both are patient, private and loyal. |
Best match | Rooster 鸡 | Same trio (三合). The Rooster's honesty and the Snake's wisdom make a strong, practical team. |
Challenging | Pig 猪 | Direct clash (六冲). The open, trusting Pig and the guarded Snake struggle to understand each other. |
Challenging | Tiger 虎 | Harm pair (六害). The impulsive Tiger and the calculating Snake rarely trust each other. |
Zodiac compatibility is tradition, not a rule, but expect it to come up at Chinese family dinners.
Famous people born in the Year of the Snake
Name | Known for | Born |
|---|---|---|
Audrey Hepburn | Actor | 1929 |
Bob Dylan | Musician | 1941 |
Oprah Winfrey | TV host and producer | 29 Jan 1954 |
Daniel Radcliffe | Actor | 1989 |
Taylor Swift | Singer and songwriter | 1989 |
Oprah is often listed as a Horse because she was born in 1954. She arrived five days before Chinese New Year, so she's a Water Snake.
Useful Chinese vocabulary for the Year of the Snake
Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
蛇 | shé | snake |
蛇年 | shénián | Year of the Snake |
属蛇 (屬蛇) | shǔ shé | to be born in a Snake year |
小龙 (小龍) | xiǎolóng | "little dragon", polite nickname for the Snake sign |
眼镜蛇 (眼鏡蛇) | yǎnjìngshé | cobra ("glasses snake") |
白蛇传 (白蛇傳) | Báishé Zhuàn | Legend of the White Snake |
画蛇添足 (畫蛇添足) | huà shé tiān zú | drawing legs on a snake: ruining something by overdoing it |
打草惊蛇 (打草驚蛇) | dǎ cǎo jīng shé | beat the grass and scare the snake: tipping someone off too early |
地头蛇 (地頭蛇) | dìtóushé | local bully, someone powerful on their own turf |
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳 | yì zhāo bèi shé yǎo, shí nián pà jǐngshéng | bitten by a snake once, afraid of a well rope for ten years: once bitten, twice shy |
Example sentences
- 我属蛇，不过我更喜欢说我属小龙。 Wǒ shǔ shé, búguò wǒ gèng xǐhuan shuō wǒ shǔ xiǎolóng. I'm a Snake, but I prefer to say I'm a little dragon.
- 你的作文已经很好了，别画蛇添足。 Nǐ de zuòwén yǐjīng hěn hǎo le, bié huà shé tiān zú. Your essay is already good, don't overdo it.
- 先别告诉他，不要打草惊蛇。 Xiān bié gàosu tā, bú yào dǎ cǎo jīng shé. Don't tell him yet, we don't want to tip him off.
画蛇添足 comes from a drinking contest: whoever drew a snake first would win a jug of wine. The fastest artist finished, then added feet for fun. Another player grabbed the wine, pointing out that snakes don't have feet.
Taiwan note: Taipei's Huaxi Street, next to Longshan Temple, was once famous as "Snake Alley" for its snake soup stalls and snake handlers. The shows have gone, but the nickname lives on in guidebooks.
Frequently asked questions
Which years are Snake years? 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 and 2037. Each one starts on Chinese New Year.
When is the next Year of the Snake? From 15 February 2037 to 3 February 2038.
I was born on 20 January 2026. Am I a Snake? Yes. The 2025 Snake year ran until 16 February 2026.
What element is my Snake year? Earth (1929, 1989), Metal (1941, 2001), Water (1953, 2013), Wood (1965, 2025) or Fire (1977, 2037).
What are the Snake's lucky numbers? 2, 8 and 9, and numbers containing them. 1, 6 and 7 are considered unlucky.
What are the Snake's lucky colours? Black, red and yellow. Brown, gold and white are best avoided.
Who is the Snake most compatible with? The Monkey (secret friends), the Ox and the Rooster (the same trio).
Which sign clashes with the Snake? The Pig, its opposite on the zodiac wheel.
How do you say "I'm a Snake" in Chinese? 我属蛇 wǒ shǔ shé, or the flattering version, 我属小龙 wǒ shǔ xiǎolóng.
Is the Snake a bad sign in Chinese culture? No. It stands for wisdom and intuition, it's the dragon's "little brother", and the most famous snake in Chinese literature is a loving heroine.