The Year of the Snake

Snakes are seen by most cultures as an omen of evil. However, they are also mysterious creatures and those born under the Year of the Snake believed to possess the power of divination. People born under the sign of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive of the 12 signs. Snakes are cunning and sly, yet represent wisdom and wit. They are regarded as highly intelligent, yet equally unscrupulous. Snakes have a pliable nature and can change themselves to fit any situation.

Basic Astrology Elements

Though most people are aware of the yearly assignment of the Chinese Zodiac signs, Chinese astrology digs deeper and each sign is also tied to a month, day, and hours. The sign of the year you were born represents how you present yourself, your birth month represents your inner self, the day of your birth is your true self, and the hour you were born reveals your secret self. Figuring out your 4 pillars can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

The Snake is in the 6th on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac

Years of the Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037

Earthly Branch of Birth Year: 巳 Sì

Wu Xing (The Five Elements): Fire (Huo)

Yin Yang: Yin

Chinese Symbol: Shé

Season: Summer

Lunar Month: 4th

Gregorian Date and Western Zodiac Equivalent: May 5-May20 Taurus or May 21-Jun 5 Gemini

Solar Term and Longitude: 44°立夏 lìxià or 59°小滿 xiǎomǎn

Hours (based on local solar time): 09:00 – 10:59 This is the time when Snakes are leaving their caves

Days: Zodiac animal of the day you were born can be calculated here: https://www.traditionalfengshui.co.za/fourpillarssoftware.htm

Personality Traits

Despite their reputations, people born under the sign of the Snake often thrive and eventually make good impressions. They are intelligent, wise, and great thinkers. They are elegant, sophisticated, and make great leaders. They always think before they speak, and rarely get angry. They appear to be calm and collected, but beneath their scales lay a passionate heart. They are quick to help others. Though they try their best to shed their negative reputations, sometimes snakes live up to people’s expectations and are sly, deceptive, and arrogant.

Positive Traits: Wise, Discreet, Agile, Humorous, Sympathetic, Determined, Passionate. Attractive

Negative Traits: Lazy, Greedy, Arrogant, Conceited, Jealous, Fickle, Sly, Nonchalant

Elemental Variations

The personalities of those born under the sign of the Snake are affected by their elemental variations.

Earth Snake: 1929 and 1989

Earth snakes tend to build lifelong friendships and are loyal and sincere to those they care about. However, they expect their friends to treat them in kind and when their friends don’t live up to their expectations they feel hurt. They are too sensitive and easily offended. When an earth snake feels slighted, they hold a grudge and never forgive or forget what that person did. They are intelligent and react quickly to situations. They are unlucky in love but are not hurt by their failures. Earth snakes often have great opportunities to make money, but rarely seize them.

Metal Snake: 1941 and 2001

Metal snakes are egotistical and make sure to surround themselves with people who praise and admire them. They have a noble manner and can be over confident and conceited. They are generous with money in love, but for the wrong reasons. They give these things freely because they feel they are in a superior position to do so. Metal snakes are also quick to help other, but only in hopes that they will be rewarded. They are high performers in their careers and have incredible luck with their jobs.

Water Snake: 1953 and 2013

Water snakes have poor kinships and often leave home at a young age to seek their own success. They are active, smart, and good at seizing opportunities. They have a passion for adventure and their lives are full of difficulties. Water snakes are careful planners and only continue a task after they have a detailed understanding. They are sociable and have many friends. They are also naturally good looking and have no problems attracting the opposite sex. Their low self-esteem is their greatest weakness.

Wood Snake: 1965

Wood snakes value order, neatness, and elegance. They have expensive tastes and know when something is high quality. Their prudent and easy going nature make it easy for them to make friends. Though they have many friends, they are very selective about who they keep in their social circle. They are snobbish and seek out friendships with people they think are important. Wood snakes have lofty goals and encounter many difficulties in their work. When they fail they get depressed and manic.

Fire Snake: 1977

Fire snakes love the spotlight and are natural dancers and actors. They are attractive, charming, and possess great social skills. Like other snakes, they dislike ordinary people. It is difficult for them to settle down in love because they always crave change. They are sensitive in love and often fall in too deep. They have good luck in wealth, but their expensive tastes can lead to financial ruin.

Career Options

Though snakes are good workers, they get bored easily and change their careers often. They are creative, diligent, and suited to jobs where they can display their talents. Snakes should do their best to avoid stressful and repetitive jobs. They are bold and face challenges head on. They use their cunning, and intelligence to grab promotions when they come along.
Best Career Options: Fashion Designer, Conductor, Journalist, Scientist, Astrologer, Sociologist, Model, Athlete

Luck

Those born during the Year of the Snake tend to do well in life. They have good fortune in most areas of their life, especially in wealth.

Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 9
Lucky Colors: Black, Red, Light Yellow
Lucky Flowers: Orchid, Cactus
Lucky Directions: East, West, Southwest
Lucky Days: The 1st and 23rd of Chinese lunar months
Lucky Months: The 1st, 8th, and 11th lunar months

Unlucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
Unlucky Colors: White, Gold, Brown
Unlucky Directions: Northeast and Northwest
Unlucky Months: The 3rd, 9th and 12th lunar months

Relationships

Though many people find those born under the sign of the Snake attractive, they don’t have very good luck in love. Their suspicious and jealous nature often turns their partners against them. Snakes are also very hard to get to know, and have few friends because of this. Their keep their emotions and feelings guarded. They are very careful about choosing who to let into their life. Snakes have high standards and seek people with similar tastes and interests.

Best Matches: Rooster, Dragon, Ox

Snakes are refined, elegant, and noble and seek partners who complement them well. Snakes and Dragons are very similar, even in appearance. They are both wise and elegant and make a striking pair. Roosters and Snakes both put a lot of emphasis on physical appearance and so they understand each other well. The compliant and unselfishness nature of the Ox allows the Snake to shine in their relationship.

Worst Matches: Tiger, Pig

A Snake’s greatest weakness is its suspicion and jealous, they clash with people who are secretive and quiet. Tigers are like Snakes and keep their thoughts closely guarded. This puts Snakes on edge and makes for a bad partnership. Pigs and Snakes have completely different lifestyles and values and they will fight over money.

Good Friends: Rat, Horse, Monkey

Snakes love to surround themselves with people who admire their glamour and elegance. Rats, Horses, and Monkeys can see through the Snake’s rough exterior and understand their character well.

Sophia Loren