The Snake in the Chinese zodiac
The Snake is sixth in the cycle and pairs with the Si hour in late morning. Folk stories treat it as a clever, graceful creature, so popular readings stress observation, privacy and depth.
The Snake comes sixth and pairs with the earthly branch Si (巳), the hours from 9 am to 11 am. It follows the Dragon, as if the myth gives way to the animal you might meet on a garden path.
The Han dynasty text Lunheng by Wang Chong lists the snake (蛇, shé) as the animal for Si. Beyond that line, the Snake in Chinese story is more varied than in English. The Legend of the White Snake, a folk romance still retold in opera, film and television, gives it a tender and tragic role instead of a villainous one.
Modern popular readings describe the Snake as watchful, private and good at reading a room, with strong tastes and a dry sense of humor. This is a symbolic picture, not a verdict, and a Snake-year person can just as easily be chatty and messy.
A reflective question: when do you hold back out of wisdom, and when out of habit?
For entertainment and reflection only. Not medical, financial, or legal advice.
Zodiac year dates
Years begin at Lunar New Year, not January 1. A birthday before the start date belongs to the previous animal year.
Dates follow the Chinese calendar in China. If your birthday falls within one day of Lunar New Year, check the boundary notice in your chart.
| Year | Starts | Ends (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | ||
| 1917 | ||
| 1929 | ||
| 1941 | ||
| 1953 | ||
| 1965 | ||
| 1977 | ||
| 1989 | ||
| 2001 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2025 | ||
| 2037 | ||
| 2049 | ||
| 2061 | ||
| 2073 | ||
| 2085 | ||
| 2097 |
Calculated from our bundled Lunar New Year table; 1901–2100 dates checked against the Hong Kong Observatory calendar tables.
Sources
Lunheng (論衡) ch. 14 Wushi (物勢篇), the passage pairing earthly branches with animals
- 論衡 (Lunheng), chapter 14 物勢篇 (Wushi)Wang Chong (王充)
- Lunabao original writing