The Year of the Snake: learn more about the Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important and longest celebration in the Chinese calendar. Its roots date back more than 3,000 years, having originated during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC). The celebration is deeply connected to the agricultural cycle and the spiritual traditions of ancient China. The year 2025 will be ruled by the Snake, which is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle and symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and mystery.
The Legend of Nian (年)
A popular story says that the festival began as a ritual to ward off a monster named Nian, which terrorized villages at the beginning of the year. To scare it away, villagers used fireworks, drums, and red lanterns, because Nian was afraid of noise and the color red. This legend still influences modern practices, such as fireworks and red decorations.
Nian is described as a mythical creature that lived in the mountains or the depths of the sea. According to legends, it was a ferocious monster with a gigantic body, sharp teeth, and an insatiable hunger. The name "Nian" also means "year" in Chinese, which gives a symbolic meaning to the story.
Its legend is the basis for many practices of the Chinese New Year, such as:
Red decorations: red ornaments, such as ribbons and lanterns, are hung on doors and windows to symbolize protection and good luck.
Fireworks: they are not just a celebration, but also a ritual to "scare" away any bad energy or evil spirits.
Lion Dance: the traditional dance represents the expulsion of evil spirits, with the lion embodying protection and strength.
Its story teaches that intelligence, unity, and courage can overcome even the greatest challenges. And of course, its departure represents the beginning of a new cycle, filled with luck and prosperity.
The Chinese Calendar
The Chinese calendar is a traditional lunisolar system used in China and other Asian cultures to determine holidays, festivals, and important dates. It is much older than the Gregorian calendar (which we use) and has unique characteristics that combine lunar and solar cycles.
Lunisolar: the Chinese calendar combines aspects of the moon and the sun. The months are based on the lunar cycles, while the years are adjusted to align with the solar cycle.
Lunar months: each month begins on the New Moon and lasts about 29 or 30 days, depending on the cycle. A typical year has 12 lunar months, totaling approximately 354 days (11 days fewer than the solar year).
Lunar leap year: to align the calendar with the solar cycle, an extra month (known as the "intercalary month") is added approximately every 3 years. This ensures that the seasons remain aligned.
The 12 Zodiac Animals:
Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The 10 Heavenly Stems and the 12 Earthly Branches:
The calendar combines the 10 heavenly stems (representing elements such as wood, fire, earth, metal, fire, and water) with the 12 earthly branches (related to the zodiac animals), forming a complete cycle of 60 years. In the case of the Wood Snake, in 2025, it will only occur again in 2085.
The Variable Start
Unlike the Western New Year, the Chinese New Year does not start on January 1st. It is determined by the second new moon after the winter solstice (between January 21 and February 20). In 2025, the Chinese New Year begins on January 29.
Meaning of the Chinese New Year
Renewal and Prosperity: It represents the end of winter and the arrival of spring, symbolizing a new cycle of hope, growth, and good fortune.
Family Reunion: It is the time to gather the family and honor the ancestors.
Chinese Zodiac: Each year is governed by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, etc.) and by an element (wood, fire, earth, metal, or water), which influence the energy of the year.
The Wood Snake
The Snake is the 6th animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle and symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and mystery. It is seen as an elegant and strategic animal, with an introspective and refined energy. Its combination with the Wood element creates a year focused on growth, introspection, and creativity.
Wood brings stability and innovation, while the Snake represents intelligence and patience.
Personality of the Snake
People born in the year of the Snake are generally known for being:
Wise, mysterious, and determined;
Distrustful, reserved, and stubborn.
The Meaning of the Snake in 2025
The Snake brings an introspective and strategic energy, transforming 2025 into the Year of Wisdom and Planning. With the influence of Wood, people may find personal and professional growth by balancing creativity and logic.
2025 is an ideal year to deepen knowledge, learn something new, or explore intellectual areas. It may be a quieter and more introspective year, focusing on well-considered decisions.
Lucky Colors and Symbols in 2025
Lucky Colors: Green (associated with wood), black, and gold.
Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 9.
Lucky Flowers: Orchids and cacti.
Celebrations
Festivities generally last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. The main traditions include:
House Cleaning (Before the New Year):
The cleaning symbolizes the removal of bad luck accumulated in the previous year, preparing the space for good energies.
Decoration:
Homes are decorated with red ornaments, such as lanterns, paper strips with auspicious messages, and images of the zodiac animal of the year.
Family Meals:
On New Year's Eve, it is traditional to have a dinner with family, including symbolic dishes such as:
Fish: Represents abundance.
Dumplings (Jiaozi): Prosperity.
Nian Gao (rice cake): Growth.
Exchange of Red Envelopes (Hongbao):
Envelopes with money are given as gifts, especially to children and young people, symbolizing good luck.
Parades and Dances:
The dragon dance and the lion dance are common to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Fireworks:
The fireworks scare away evil spirits and celebrate the arrival of the new year with enthusiasm.
Lantern Festival (15th Day):
Marks the end of the festivities. Colorful lanterns illuminate cities, and people participate in parades and eat rice dumplings (Tangyuan), which symbolize unity.
Customs and Superstitions
What to Do:
Wear red clothes to attract luck.
Offer sacrifices to ancestors.
Start the year with positive attitudes.
What to Avoid:
Cutting hair or sweeping the floor on the first day, so as not to "sweep away" luck.
Saying negative words, like "death" or "bad luck."
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