Year of the snake Ming Dynasty Snake ManSnake Man from a Ming Dynasty illustration

According to the Chinese tradition, the snake is the astrological companion to the dragon, or the Yin to the Dragon's Yang force. The snake's nature is more subtle, elegant, and restrained. Unlike feelings in most Western cultures, a snake in China is considered a lucky sign and often the carrier of good fortune.

Like the houses of the zodiac in Western astrology, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought to dictate personality traits or even to impact world events in any year they rule. Snake and those born under compatible signs benefit from good fortune during a Snake year.

In general, snake personalities don't like to ask others for advice and because of that others see them as cold and calculating...not so, they are just being careful.They need to plan every detail before embarking on an objective. Snakes have excellent communication skills, but they are usually creatures of few words. Quiet and unassuming, they prefer to work alone and are more often in the spotlight for real and lasting accomplishments than for attempts at garnering attention.

It is said that the year of the snake is likely to bring an improvement in financial status for governments and individuals entrusted in power, as well as those who have had difficulty in the previous Dragon year. You should also expect a heightened awareness of environmental issues and our effects on future generations.

A year for refinement and artistic expression, expect fashion trends that return to the elegant, clean lines, and graceful instead of the flamboyant and gaudy.

The astrological year starts on 2/4/2013, but February 10, 2013 ushers in the official Spring Festival which we call Chinese New year... the year of the (color: black, element: water) Snake, so get your hong bao (red envelopes) and firecrackers ready for another exciting year.


©Qi Journal