The Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Snake

Years of the Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

It is no overstatement to say that the snake is very likely the most symbolically loaded animal that exists -- by far and away. Throughout time and throughout virtually all places on the earth where snakes are native, they have become symbols of some of humanity's greatest hopes and fears.

In ancient Chinese folklore, snakes sometimes rewarded humans with gifts of pearls. In Asia, in general, snakes often appeared as guardians of shrines and treasure and their saliva was thought to create precious jewels underground. The legendary Chinese ruler Fu Xi (responsible for creating the trigrams of the I Ching) had the body of a snake. As a venerated ancestor (such as Fu Xi), the snake was linked with wisdom and prophecy. House snakes were even welcomed as good luck and the embodiment of the spirits of the ancestors.

In the Chinese zodiac, people who are born in the Year of the Snake may be enigmatic but they are also the wisest. Characterized as thinkers and philosophers, they are seen as fond of conversation and intelligent discussion. They do, however, tire quickly of repetitiveness and are not particularly inclined to take advice, although they will listen to it. Although Snake people will examine a situation from many angles, they can also act with speed and determination.

People born in the Year of the Snake are considered most compatible with people born in the Year of the Ox or Rooster while they are least compatible with those born in the Year of the Tiger.