Happy Chinese New Year! Everything you need to know about THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE and your specific zodiac sign!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year! It’s Chinese New Year!

Or some call it: The Lunar New Year and the start of the Spring Festival.

The celebration marks the end of winter and the arrival of the spring season on the lunisolar calendar. Plus, it signifies the start of the new year.

Whoa. I might have dove in a little too deep and lost you already. Let’s start with today- except don’t circle today on the calendar because it won’t be the same next year.

Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year isn’t a set date on the calendar because it will fluctuate based on the moon. It always falls on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice and between the spring equinox. That makes it fall on a date in January or February.

Oh my, your eyes are glazing over with information overload! Stick with me because here’s where the fun starts!

Today marks the Year Of The Snake! It’s actually the Year of the Wood Snake (because each zodiac sign in the chart also can be broken down into the 5 elements: fire, earth, metal, wood, and water). But for simplicity, let’s just focus on The Snake!

What will that mean for all of us in the coming year in 2025?

The Snake will get us moving! 2025 will not be a year for being stationary. It’s not the year to sit around or stay put. Travel! Make the move you’ve always been thinking about! Take the job that kinda scares you. Do it! Don’t be stuck in the same ruts you have been. The Year Of The Snake is here to help you work off the restless energy and do all those activities that you have been putting off for far too long!

The Year Of The Dragon (2024) is now in the rearview and buckle up because it’s going to be busy now that the Snake is back in command.

For some of you, you are a Snake so this is your year to really shine!

Those of you who are born in a Snake year (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and born now in 2025) will experience the most transformative year with major life changes. Exciting!!

Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, each holding specific personality traits.

There are 60 possible combinations of those five elements (previously mentioned) and the 12 animal signs, making specific matchups rare from year to year. For example, the last time it was a Wood Snake year was in 1965.

So what is your specific Chinese Zodiac Sign? Let’s find out:

For me, I was born in July of 1983 making me a Pig. Oh great! Couldn’t be something like a Tiger or a Dragon. Nope, I’m a swine. A boar. The Pumba of the zodiac. But in all honesty, no sign is perfect in its positives and negative traits and they’re pretty spot on.

Let’s see what your Chinese Zodiac Sign says about you:

RAT
Resourceful, smart, and very quick-witted.  Rats have a way of being good game-planners and good strategists.  They often shine in positions of leadership and business.   Charming little buggers, those rats! Yet they can also be secretive and cautious underneath the charming demeanor.

OX
Determined and patient.  Oxen are very strong both in will and in toughness.   When someone thinks of a good reliable friend, they think of an ox.   Very dependable, loyal as heck, and really hardworking.  But Oxen are stubborn, too.

TIGER
Tigers are natural leaders with their strong sense of bravery and confidence.   They are competitive in nature and really excel in challenging circumstances.   Adventurous yet impulsive, a Tiger will be fiercely protective of those in their inner circle. Be careful though, they won’t always think before they leap.

RABBIT
The cute and cuddly rabbit is gentle and compassionate.   They have a flair for the arts and prefer the refined things in life.  Rabbits are natural born peacemakers who avoid confrontation at all costs despite being very diplomatic. Others see rabbits as easy targets because of that sweet disposition.

DRAGON
Fiery and passionate, the powerful dragon is driven by ambition.  They’re very charismatic and often seen as possessing a lot of luck.  They gravitate toward taking the lead but that often comes off to others as being arrogant and moody.

SNAKE
Trust your instincts- that’s the motto of a snake.  They’re wise, deep-thinkers and often appear to have a mysteriousness about them.   Charming on the outside but as the layers peel back they are reserved and secretive. Others wonder what a Snake could really be hiding.

HORSE
It’ll take an army to harness the energy of a horse.  They’re free-spirited and always looking at the bright side.   Social gatherings bring them joy and they are always looking forward to their next adventure.   Their energy overload can sometimes lead to impulsiveness and impatience but they are always the life of the party.

SHEEP (also known as GOAT)
The embodiment of empathy.   Sheep are kind and passive, preferring peace sometimes to the detriment of themselves.   Sensitivity has its pros and cons for sheep but they have a strong creative and artistic streak.

MONKEY
Show a monkey something once and they’ll pick it up right away.   They’re very fast learners and thrive in environments where they can be showcasing their skills and ideas.   However, monkey-business is also something that may drive others crazy.  They’re clever and playful but others can see that as mischievous.  Monkeys are full of surprises so there is never a dull moment around them.

ROOSTER
You’ll hear the rooster crowing, that’s for sure.   They are proud of who they are and they’ll let you know it. However, they also back up that pride with hard-work and honesty.  They are extremely dedicated and very critical of those around them that don’t seem to live up to their perfectionist standards.

DOG
The protective dog is literally “man’s best friend”.  Dependable when called upon, loyal, and trustworthy.   They believe things should be fair and balanced for everyone and are so devoted to those they care about and trust.  They don’t always warm up to strangers immediately due to their cautious nature. 

PIG
Pigs love things large and impressive.  Indulgence is sometimes a problem but they are never afraid to work hard to get the finer things in life.  Once they have them, they’ll always share.  They’re extremely generous and very kind.  Always a glass half full, looker on the bright side. Work hard, play harder- that’s a pig for you!

Now that you know a little more about your zodiac sign and what it says about you, you can see how some signs would get along better with others in friendship, love, and the workplace.

So Happy Chinese New Year to you and yours! Have some fried rice for dinner (that’s my fave) and celebrate right along with me! Here’s to a year of doing the thing you’ve always wanted to do- and NAILING IT!

Want to contact Laura McKenna about Chinese New Year, your Chinese Zodiac Sign, or anything else that’s on your mind? Email anytime, she’d love to hear from you: [email protected]
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