Live updates on China travel restrictions for 2022. Learn more
Year of the Snake

Year of the Snake

Written by Fercility JiangUpdated May. 31, 2022

Years of the Snake: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953...

The Snake occupies the sixth position in the Chinese zodiac. The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is related to a Chinese zodiac animal according to a 12-year-cycle.

Content Preview

Zodiac Snake Years

People born in a year of the Snake are called "Snakes" in China. If you were born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, or 2013, then you're a Snake.

The Chinese zodiac year is usually said to start from Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid February.

You can use our "Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign" tool to find your zodiac animal sign or see the table below.

Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign.
Snake Year Chinese Zodiac Calendar Type of Snake
1917 January 23, 1917 – February 10, 1918 Fire Snake
1929 February 10, 1929 – January 29, 1930 Earth Snake
1941 January 27, 1941 – February 14, 1942 Gold Snake
1953 February 14, 1953 – February 3, 1954 Water Snake
1965 February 2, 1965 – January 20, 1966 Wood Snake
1977 February 18, 1977 – February 6, 1978 Fire Snake
1989 February 6, 1989 – January 26, 1990 Earth Snake
2001 January 24, 2001 – February 11, 2002 Gold Snake
2013 February 10, 2013 – January 30, 2014 Water Snake
2025 January 29, 2025 – February 16, 2026 Wood Snake

Lucky Things for People Born in a Year of the Snake

Year of the Snake include 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013...

Things that will bring Snakes luck:

  • Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9, and numbers containing them (like 28 and 89)
  • Lucky days: the 1st and 23rd of Chinese lunar months
  • Lucky colors: black, red, and yellow
  • Lucky flowers: orchid and cactus
  • Lucky directions: east, west, and southwest
  • Lucky months: the 1st, 8th, and 11th lunar months

Things that Snakes should avoid:

  • Unlucky colors: brown, gold, white
  • Unlucky numbers: 1, 6, and 7
  • Unlucky directions: northeast and northwest
  • Unlucky months: the 3rd, 9th and 12th lunar months

The Snake's Personality: Intelligent, Wise...

1989 Chinese Zodiac is Snake

In Chinese culture, the Snake is the most enigmatic animal among the 12 zodiac animals. People born in a year of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive.

Snakes tend to act according to their own judgments while remaining private and reticent. They are determined to accomplish their goals and hate to fail.

Snakes represent the symbol of wisdom. They are intelligent and wise. They are good at communication but say little. Snakes are usually regarded as great thinkers.

Snakes are materialistic and love keeping up with the Joneses. They love to possess the best of everything but they have no patience for shopping.

Snake people prefer to work alone; therefore, they are easily stressed. If they seem unusually stressed, it is best to allow them their own space and time to return to normal.

Which Type of 'Snake' Are You?

In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. For example, a Wood Snake comes once in a 60-year cycle.

It is theorized that a person's characteristics are decided by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and element. So there are five types of Snakes, each with different characteristics:

Type of Snake Year of Birth Characteristics of Snakes
Wood Snake 1905, 1965 Orderly, intelligent, with a gift for appreciating the knowing celebrities and a refined taste
Fire Snake 1917, 1977 Smart, insightful, communicative, active, and fond of the limelight
Earth Snake 1929, 1989 Calm, with strong self-control, but not steadfast and diligent enough in work
Gold Snake 1941, 2001 Determined, courageous, confident, and able: a born leader
Water Snake 1953, 2013 Clever, creative, lively, and communicative, but sentimental

See Chinese Zodiac Snakes of 5 Elements: Characters and Destinies.

Love Compatibility: Is She/He Compatible with You?

The Snake's Love Compatibility

Each animal sign has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility within the Chinese zodiac animals takes the characteristics of each animal into account. Only those whose characteristics match can be good partners.

See below the compatibility of the Snake with other animals, and find out if the Snake is compatible with your sign or not.

  • Best with: Ox or Rooster
  • Worst with: Tiger, Horse, or Pig

Want to know if she/he is compatible with you? Use our zodiac love compatibility calculator below. Or you can check the 12 Chinese zodiac signs' love compatibility in detail. 

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator

Enter date of birth and test now
Boy's date of birth:
 
Girl's date of birth:

Snakes' Horoscope for 2022

Snake people, your luck in 2022 will be moderate, with unexpected hassles, but mostly good results. You should try to keep calm when feeling upset. You’re suggested to travel for relaxation.

Attending a wedding or birthday party will allay bad luck. 2022 is a lucky time for you to marry or move home.

Monthly Horoscope for Snakes in 2022 >>>

Is a Snake Year a Lucky Year?

1989 Chinese Zodiac is the Snake

The year of one's birth sign (本命年 běnmìngnián /bnn-ming-nyen/ 'origin (of) life year') is believed to be the most unlucky in the 12-year cycle. Therefore Snakes should be more careful about all aspects of their lives, including love, health, their careers and finances. Read more on How to Be Lucky in Your Ben Ming Nian.

The next Snake year is 2025. It starts on Chinese New Year (January 29, 2025).

The Best Careers for Snakes

Snakes are very creative and extremely diligent. Although Snakes work very hard, they have a tendency to be job-hoppers as they become easily bored. Snakes are great thinkers. Complex problems stimulate them. They're excellent problem-solvers and thrive under tight deadlines.

Good career choices for Snakes include: scientist, analyst, investigator, painter, potter, jeweler, astrologer, magician, dietician, and sociologist.

Good Health for Snakes

1977 Chinese Zodiac is Snake

Snakes prefer living a peaceful life and they do not like a noisy environment. Snakes become easily stressed when their lives aren't calm or in order. Therefore, a manageable workload would be good for them rather than a challenging schedule.

Snakes need to spend lots of time relaxing. It's necessary to take vacations at the proper time. People should pay attention to the health of Snakes, especially senior members in the family.

How to Build Relationships with Snakes

1965 Chinese Zodiac is Snake

People born in a year of the Snake do not have a lot of friends. It is extremely hard to get to know them because they keep their feelings locked up inside. Snakes are careful when choosing friends. They will never forgive a breach in friendship.

Once people are his/her friends, a Snake is willing to share his sorrow and happiness with them. Snakes guard their chosen friends much like valuable possessions, and they are easily jealous and even obsessive.

Famous Snake Year People

Famous Snakes Birth Date Element
Pablo Picasso October 25, 1881 a Gold Snake
Mao Zedong December 26, 1893 a Water Snake
Stephen Hawking January 8th, 1942 a Metal Snake
John F. Kennedy May 29, 1917 a Fire Snake
J. K. Rowling July 31, 1965 a Wood Snake

Check Other Chinese Zodiac Animals

Year of the Ox
Year of the Dog
Year of the Pig
China Highlights' wechat
We are here to help you...
start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

The China Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made by your personal travel advisor — a destination expert. Every reply will be within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy your personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have unparalleled flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Discover the hidden gems. Experience local culture by practicing it. Try new and exciting activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people.

Well-Selected Local Guides

Well-Selected Local Guides

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!

China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China their way. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience, more ...
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
Corporate Number: 914503003486045699
Featured on