Year of the Snake
Wise, intuitive, private. Years, personality, love, work and compatibility of the Snake.
The Snake is the sixth sign. In Chinese culture it stands for wisdom, intuition and elegance rather than danger, and it is sometimes called the little dragon.
Quick answer. You are a Snake if you were born in 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 or any other year in the cycle (every 12 years), from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next one. The latest Snake year began on 29 January 2025 and ended on 16 February 2026.
| Order in the zodiac | 6 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Si |
| Own element and polarity | Fire, yin |
| Recent years | 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 |
| Harmonious with | Ox, Rooster, Monkey |
| Challenging with | Pig, Tiger |
| Lucky numbers (traditional) | 2, 8, 9 |
| Lucky colours (traditional) | light yellow, red, black |
Find your Chinese zodiac sign
Snake years: are you a Snake?
You are a Snake if you were born in a Snake year, from its Chinese New Year to the day before the next. Recent Snake years are 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. The table lists every Snake year from 1900 to 2100 with its exact dates. A January or early February birthday often belongs to the previous animal: Chinese New Year in 2025 was on 29 January 2025, for instance, so anyone born earlier that January was a Dragon.
| Year | Sign | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | Wood Snake | 4 February 1905 | 24 January 1906 |
| 1917 | Fire Snake | 23 January 1917 | 10 February 1918 |
| 1929 | Earth Snake | 10 February 1929 | 29 January 1930 |
| 1941 | Metal Snake | 27 January 1941 | 14 February 1942 |
| 1953 | Water Snake | 14 February 1953 | 2 February 1954 |
| 1965 | Wood Snake | 2 February 1965 | 20 January 1966 |
| 1977 | Fire Snake | 18 February 1977 | 6 February 1978 |
| 1989 | Earth Snake | 6 February 1989 | 26 January 1990 |
| 2001 | Metal Snake | 24 January 2001 | 11 February 2002 |
| 2013 | Water Snake | 10 February 2013 | 30 January 2014 |
| 2025 | Wood Snake | 29 January 2025 | 16 February 2026 |
| 2037 | Fire Snake | 15 February 2037 | 3 February 2038 |
| 2049 | Earth Snake | 2 February 2049 | 22 January 2050 |
| 2061 | Metal Snake | 21 January 2061 | 8 February 2062 |
| 2073 | Water Snake | 7 February 2073 | 26 January 2074 |
| 2085 | Wood Snake | 26 January 2085 | 13 February 2086 |
| 2097 | Fire Snake | 12 February 2097 | 31 January 2098 |
Check a birth year
Snake age chart for 2027
How old are people born in Snake years in 2027? The age depends on the birthday, so each row gives two ages: the lower one if the birthday in 2027 has not yet come, and the higher one after it.
| Year | Sign | Chinese year | Age in 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Metal Snake | 27 January 1941 – 14 February 1942 | 85 or 86 |
| 1953 | Water Snake | 14 February 1953 – 2 February 1954 | 73 or 74 |
| 1965 | Wood Snake | 2 February 1965 – 20 January 1966 | 61 or 62 |
| 1977 | Fire Snake | 18 February 1977 – 6 February 1978 | 49 or 50 |
| 1989 | Earth Snake | 6 February 1989 – 26 January 1990 | 37 or 38 |
| 2001 | Metal Snake | 24 January 2001 – 11 February 2002 | 25 or 26 |
| 2013 | Water Snake | 10 February 2013 – 30 January 2014 | 13 or 14 |
| 2025 | Wood Snake | 29 January 2025 – 16 February 2026 | 1 or 2 |
The legend of the Snake
In the Great Race, the Snake is said to have hidden on the Horse's hoof and startled it at the finish line, sliding ahead to take sixth place. The story is used to illustrate the Snake's cunning and quiet timing.
Snake personality
Snakes are traditionally described as calm, thoughtful and private. They prefer to observe before acting, trust their intuition and have a strong sense of style. They are determined, and they keep their plans to themselves.
Strengths
- Wisdom and good judgement
- Intuition and insight
- Elegance and composure
- Determination
- Ability to keep a secret
Weaknesses
- Secrecy and reserve
- Jealousy and possessiveness
- Suspicion of others' motives
- Difficulty trusting
Snake at home and in the family
At home the Snake is described as a quiet and elegant presence who values privacy, comfort and a well-chosen environment. Snake parents are thought to be wise and protective, and slow to share their worries.
Snake as a friend
As a friend the Snake is thoughtful, discreet and good company in small groups. Tradition says Snakes have few but deep friendships and that they can be jealous or distant if they feel neglected.
Snake in love and relationships
In love, the Snake is described as deep, sensual and loyal once it commits. It wants closeness and mental connection. The usual friction is jealousy and reserve: a Snake may keep its feelings hidden, then react strongly. Tradition suggests partners who are honest and secure.
Snake career and work style
Traditional descriptions place the Snake in careers that reward analysis and discretion: research, medicine, psychology, finance, law, technology and the arts. Snakes are said to be astute with money and to build wealth steadily.
In a team the Snake is described as the strategist who thinks before acting and sees what is not said. It works best with time to reflect and can be secretive about its plans.
Snake and money
Snakes are traditionally seen as astute with money, good at saving, investing and judging value. They are thought to build wealth quietly and to dislike showiness.
Snake under stress
Under stress a Snake is said to withdraw, brood or become suspicious and possessive. Solitude, a calm routine and honest conversation with one trusted person are the usual suggestions.
Advice for the Snake
The traditional advice for a Snake is to trust people more, to share its thoughts earlier and to let go of grudges.
Snake compatibility
In the traditional system the Snake is harmonious with Ox, Rooster (its trine) and with Monkey, its secret friend. Its opposite sign, which tradition calls a clash, is the Pig, and the Tiger forms a harm pair with it. Every other pairing has no special relationship. These are conversation starters and not predictions.
| Sign | With the Snake | What tradition says |
|---|---|---|
| 🐀 Rat | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Rat’s quick-witted meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐂 Ox | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Snake’s wise goes well with the Ox’s diligent, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐅 Tiger | Harm pair | A harm pair. The Snake’s wise and the Tiger’s brave can misread each other, so honesty and patience matter. |
| 🐇 Rabbit | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Rabbit’s gentle meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐉 Dragon | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Dragon’s ambitious meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐍 Snake | Same sign | Two Snakes share the same strengths and the same blind spots, so they understand each other quickly and can also repeat each other’s habits. |
| 🐎 Horse | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Horse’s energetic meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐐 Goat | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Goat’s gentle meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐒 Monkey | Secret friend | Secret friends. The Snake’s wise is balanced by the Monkey’s clever, a bond described as close and complementary. |
| 🐓 Rooster | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Snake’s wise goes well with the Rooster’s observant, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐕 Dog | No special relationship | No classical link. The Snake’s wise and the Dog’s loyal meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐖 Pig | Clash: opposite sign | Opposite signs. The Snake’s wise meets the Pig’s generous, which attracts and irritates in equal measure. |
Compare two Chinese zodiac signs
The five kinds of Snake
The element of the year adds a second layer to the animal. Wood is described as growth and creativity, Fire as passion and leadership, Earth as stability, Metal as discipline and Water as adaptability. Here are the Snake years of each element, with how tradition describes each kind. Read more in our guide to the Chinese zodiac elements.
| Sign | Years (1900–2100) | Described as |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Snake | 1905, 1965, 2025, 2085 | The Wood Snake is described as more open and creative than other Snakes, gentle and thoughtful, with a talent for the arts. |
| Fire Snake | 1917, 1977, 2037, 2097 | The Fire Snake is described as the most outspoken Snake, ambitious and passionate, with a sharp temper under a calm surface. |
| Earth Snake | 1929, 1989, 2049 | The Earth Snake is described as calm and reliable, practical and patient, the most stable Snake in money and relationships. |
| Metal Snake | 1941, 2001, 2061 | The Metal Snake is described as resolute and self-reliant, a strong strategist who guards its independence. |
| Water Snake | 1953, 2013, 2073 | The Water Snake is described as intuitive and perceptive, a deep thinker who reads people very well. |
Famous people born in Snake years
Based on publicly reported dates of birth, and using the exact Chinese New Year of each birth year, these well-known people belong to the Snake: Taylor Swift (13 December 1989); Oprah Winfrey (29 January 1954); Muhammad Ali (17 January 1942); Audrey Hepburn (4 May 1929); Billie Eilish (18 December 2001); John F. Kennedy (29 May 1917); Bob Dylan (24 May 1941); Stephen Hawking (8 January 1942). Whether the sign says anything about them is a matter of interpretation.
The Snake in 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat
The Snake has no special classical relationship with the Goat. Tradition describes a neutral year for the Snake, one that depends more on your own choices than on the pairing of the signs. This is folklore, not a forecast. See the Chinese New Year 2027 page for every sign.
Lucky numbers and colours
One commonly quoted list gives the lucky numbers 2, 8, 9 and the lucky colours light yellow, red, black for the Snake. Such lists differ between sources and belong to popular folklore, not to any fixed rule.
The neighbouring signs
The Dragon comes before the Snake and the Horse comes after it. See all twelve in our guide to the Chinese zodiac.
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Snake years?
Recent Snake years are 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. Each one runs from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next. For example, the 2025 Snake year runs from 29 January 2025 to 16 February 2026. See the years chart for every date.
Am I a Snake if I was born in January or February?
Only if your birthday is on or after that year’s Chinese New Year. For example, Chinese New Year in 2025 was on 29 January 2025, so a person born on 10 January 2025 belongs to the previous animal, the Dragon, and not to the Snake.
What is the personality of the Snake?
Wise, intuitive, private. Snakes are traditionally described as calm, thoughtful and private. They prefer to observe before acting, trust their intuition and have a strong sense of style. They are determined, and they keep their plans to themselves.
What are the Snake’s strengths?
Wisdom and good judgement; Intuition and insight; Elegance and composure; Determination; Ability to keep a secret.
What are the Snake’s weaknesses?
Secrecy and reserve; Jealousy and possessiveness; Suspicion of others' motives; Difficulty trusting. Every sign has both strengths and weaknesses in this tradition.
What are the best careers for the Snake?
Traditional descriptions place the Snake in careers that reward analysis and discretion: research, medicine, psychology, finance, law, technology and the arts. Snakes are said to be astute with money and to build wealth steadily.
How does the Snake behave in love?
In love, the Snake is described as deep, sensual and loyal once it commits. It wants closeness and mental connection. The usual friction is jealousy and reserve: a Snake may keep its feelings hidden, then react strongly. Tradition suggests partners who are honest and secure.
Which signs are compatible with the Snake?
Traditionally the Snake is harmonious with Ox, Rooster and Monkey, and challenging with Pig and Tiger. See the full compatibility chart.
What is the Snake’s element?
The Snake is a Fire animal and a yin sign. Each year also has its own element, so Snake years can be Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. The table on this page lists them all.
How old is a Snake in 2027?
People born in 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989 turn 2, 14, 26, 38 in 2027, and are one year younger until their birthday. The table on this page gives the ages for every Snake year since 1940.
Which animal comes before and after the Snake?
The Dragon comes before the Snake and the Horse comes after it.
What are the Snake’s lucky numbers and colours?
One commonly quoted list gives the numbers 2, 8, 9 and the colours light yellow, red, black. Such lists differ between sources and belong to folklore.
Other signs
For culture and entertainment. The Chinese zodiac is a traditional system of folklore and symbolism. It cannot predict events, and it is not medical, financial, legal or relationship advice. See the full disclaimer.