ABOUT
Heavenly Stem: Ding
Earthly Branch: Sì 巳
Element: Fire 丁
Energy: Yin
In the Chinese zodiac, the Snake represents wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are intuitive, strategic, and intelligent. They tend to be rational, calm, thoughtful, and loyal to their loved ones.
Snakes are cautious and introverted, often appearing cool and mysterious due to their suspicious and insecure nature. However, beneath this guarded exterior lies deep sensitivity, wisdom, and passion, which they reveal only to a trusted few.
Why is Snake the sixth zodiac sign?
The snake isn’t usually a favorite animal, but in Chinese culture, it's honored as a zodiac sign and called a “little dragon.” There’s a traditional story in China that explains how the 12 zodiac animals were chosen.
According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race across a celestial river to decide which animals would be part of the zodiac. While others focused on the stronger, faster animals, the snake quietly swam with the current and surprised everyone by finishing sixth.
Though snakes often have a negative image—seen as scary or sneaky—in ancient China, they were respected. The snake was one of the earliest tribal symbols and is connected to the goddess Nüwa, who had a snake’s body and created humans. Because snakes shed their skin, they symbolize rebirth and renewal. The Chinese dragon also has a snake-like body. Even today, some people believe a snake in the courtyard brings good luck. So it’s not surprising the snake became a zodiac sign.
There are also legends explaining how this happened. One story tells of a great drought when the Jade Emperor sent the wise and kind snake to help humans. Instead of just making it rain, the snake taught people to dig wells, build reservoirs, and conserve water—earning praise from both people and the emperor. As a reward, the snake was chosen as one of the zodiac animals.
As for why the snake is sixth in the zodiac, it’s linked to the traditional Chinese way of keeping time. The snake is most active between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., the sixth time slot of the day—so it was given the sixth place in the zodiac.
SNAKE YEARS
When is the Year of Snake?
The Snake is the 6th animal in the Chinese zodiac, coming after the Dragon and before the Horse. Recent Snake years include 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, and 1941. The next Snake year is 2025, called the Year of the Wood Snake.
The Chinese zodiac year usually starts on Chinese New Year, which falls between late January and mid-February. So, if you were born in January or February of those years, you might be a Snake or the animal from the previous year (like a Dragon) or the next animal (like a Horse).
To know your exact zodiac sign, check a Chinese zodiac chart or use an online zodiac calculator with your birthdate.
PERSONALITY
Understanding the Snake Zodiac Sign
In Chinese culture, the Snake is the most mysterious of the 12 zodiac animals. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be highly intuitive and wise.
Snakes follow their own judgment, often keeping their thoughts private. They’re determined, goal-focused, and dislike failure. Though they don’t talk much, they’re smart and great at communicating when needed. Snakes are known as deep thinkers.
They enjoy the best things in life and like to appear successful, but they don’t enjoy the process of shopping. Calm and observant, they handle situations thoughtfully and move through life with quiet confidence.
Snakes often attract others with their graceful, mysterious nature. They’re thorough, responsible, and capable of leading others through tough times. With clear goals and strong dedication, they often succeed in their careers.
In love, Snakes are loyal and devoted partners. They're sensitive, adaptable, and smart—showing a calm exterior with occasional bursts of energy and passion. Their wide interests and artistic nature make them stand out in social circles.
During crises, Snakes stay calm and think clearly, making them reliable problem-solvers. In daily life, they are easy-going but need time alone to recharge. If they learn to open up emotionally, they can discover even deeper connections and personal growth.
Strengths of the Snakes
People born in the Year of the Snake have many admirable qualities. They are calm, modest, intelligent, and full of creativity. They also have strong intuition and are very perceptive, often picking up on things others miss.
Snakes are confident and steady. They believe in themselves and are not easily influenced by others. Even if they seem quiet or reserved, they are focused and determined to reach their goals.
Because of their creative thinking and ability to make unique connections, many Snakes are drawn to careers in art or design. They also have great taste and a natural elegance, which helps them fit in easily with high-level social or professional groups. No matter how stressful things get, Snakes stay calm and composed.
Weaknesses of the Snakes
People born in the Year of the Snake have some areas where they can improve. They can be indifferent, stubborn, possessive, and often skeptical of others.
Snakes tend to keep their emotions to themselves, which can make them seem cold or selfish. Because they think carefully before trusting others, people might find them hard to read or even suspicious. In turn, Snakes also find it hard to fully trust those around them.
In relationships, Snakes may have trouble opening up emotionally. They often protect themselves by staying distant, which can lead to problems with their partners. When things don’t work out, this can make them even more guarded and unwilling to trust again.
Snake Men
Snake men are smart, hardworking, and quick to spot chances in their careers. Even starting from nothing, they can succeed with focus and determination. In love, they are loyal and serious but can't accept betrayal.
They think deeply, solve problems well, and love learning. Quiet and private, they often seem mysterious. They stay calm under stress and make wise decisions.
Snake men plan carefully and stick to their goals. Though reserved, they can be charming and persuasive when they speak. They trust their instincts and have good taste in art, fashion, and culture.
They are independent and prefer working alone if their opinions aren't valued. In relationships, they are faithful but may be jealous or possessive.
They like comfort and quality but spend money wisely. Sometimes, they overthink, hide emotions, and may seem distant.
Overall, Snake men are smart, calm, and strategic, with quiet strength and charm, though they can struggle with trust and emotional openness.
Snake Women
Snake women are graceful, kind, and full of life. They enjoy exploring, have many hobbies, and appreciate beauty and art. Smart and resourceful, they build strong relationships and often rely on their sharp intuition to guide them.
Elegant and charming, they naturally draw attention and make others feel at ease. Though sociable, they are also private and need time alone to recharge, which adds to their mysterious appeal.
They remain composed under pressure and pursue their goals with quiet determination. With a love for quality and beauty, they often have refined taste and a polished style.
Although they seem reserved, Snake women experience emotions deeply. In relationships, they are loyal and loving but may become jealous if they feel their trust is broken.
Independent and confident, they like to make their own decisions and may struggle in team settings if they feel overlooked. At times, they can be secretive, slow to trust, and hesitant to show vulnerability.
In short, Snake women are intelligent, elegant, and quietly powerful. Their inner strength and charm make them both fascinating and memorable.
FIVE ELEMENTS
In Chinese culture, each zodiac sign is linked to one of five elements: Metal (Gold), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. This creates different types of each zodiac animal that repeat every 60 years. A person’s personality is believed to be shaped by both their zodiac sign and their element.
Here are the five types of Snakes and their general traits:
Metal Snake: Brave, confident, and capable — a natural leader.
Water Snake: Creative, lively, and expressive, but can be emotional.
Wood Snake: Smart, organized, and has refined taste. Enjoys art and famous people.
Fire Snake: Bright, talkative, outgoing, and enjoys attention.
Earth Snake: Calm and self-controlled but may lack consistency and drive at work.
CAREER
Snakes in the Chinese zodiac are known for their creativity and diligence. They are deep thinkers who excel at solving complex problems, especially under pressure or tight deadlines. While they work hard, Snakes tend to change jobs frequently due to boredom.
They choose careers based on logical thinking and personal interest, rather than external opinions. Repetitive tasks bore them; they prefer challenging roles like politics. Their aesthetic sense and sensitive nature make them excellent artists, painters, or TV show hosts. Their sharp insights also suit professions like psychology or public relations.
Snakes often enjoy good fortune in their careers, receiving support from superiors and finding unique opportunities for success. However, their impatience and preference for independence mean they struggle in roles requiring extensive teamwork or long-term, thankless dedication.
Essentially, any career demanding elegance and grace is a good fit for a Snake. Many become celebrities, though their unique style can sometimes lead to notoriety.
Suitable Careers for Snakes
- Scientist
- Investigator
- Psychologist
- Sociologist
- Investment Advisor
- Artist
- Stylist
- Politician
- Public Relations Officer
- Social Media Influencer
- Astrologer
- Dietician
Unsuitable Careers for Snakes
- Attorney
- Police
- Researcher
- Doctor
- Analyst
❗Note: These job suggestions are general guidelines. Your best career fit also depends on other factors in your full birth chart.
COMPATIBILITY
Love Compatibility for Snakes
When it comes to love, Snakes are surprisingly passionate and delicate. They become loyal partners in marriage, though their natural charm often brings many temptations.
In return, Snakes expect equal loyalty and can become suspicious. It's best for a Snake to openly express their feelings and doubts, as the right partner will respond with understanding and love.
❤️ Best Matches for Snakes
Snake and Ox
The Ox is hardworking and steady, while the Snake is careful and mysterious. Together, they make a strong team based on shared values. They achieve a lot quietly, without needing attention.
Like a rock in a storm, they are reliable, patient, and dedicated. The Ox gives the Snake security, and the Snake’s smart thinking helps the Ox handle challenges. They both value loyalty and work hard toward their goals. The Ox’s steady love makes the Snake feel safe and secure.
Snake and Dragon
Both the Snake and Dragon love their family and enjoy spending time together at home. They make a strong, powerful team. The Dragon is confident and outgoing, while the Snake is smart and careful.
Together, they combine the Dragon’s big ideas with the Snake’s careful planning. They can be a very successful couple in life and work. Sometimes they need to keep their egos in check, but their shared goals and love for learning make their relationship strong and rewarding.
Snake and Monkey
The Snake and Monkey are both smart, but in different ways. The Monkey is quick and outgoing, while the Snake is calm and thoughtful. They respect each other’s minds and work well together.
The Monkey handles social situations, and the Snake works behind the scenes. Even though they seem different, their skills balance each other perfectly. The Monkey brings fun and energy, while the Snake keeps things steady. Together, they make a strong, balanced team.
Snake and Rooster
The Snake is smart, and the Rooster is strong — a great mix of brains and action. The Snake stays calm, while the Rooster is full of energy. Even though they seem different, they actually work really well together.
They share a strong mental connection and respect each other a lot. The Rooster likes things neat and organized, while the Snake is a clever planner. Together, the Snake makes plans, and the Rooster makes them happen. Their differences make their relationship exciting, and they make a powerful team that can handle anything.
💔 Bad Matches for Snakes
Snake and Tiger
The Snake and Tiger are very different, like oil and water. Their personalities and ways of living clash, making it hard for them to understand each other. The Tiger is bold and adventurous, while the Snake is secretive and careful. Because of this, they often misunderstand each other and struggle to get along. The Tiger thinks the Snake is too sneaky, and the Snake finds the Tiger too impulsive. Their communication is confusing, causing emotional distance and mistrust. Overall, their relationship is tough because of pride and poor communication.
Snake and Rabbit
Both the Rabbit and Snake want peace, but they handle relationships very differently. The Rabbit is calm and easygoing, while the Snake is intense and jealous. It’s like oil and water—they don’t mix well. The Snake thinks the Rabbit is too uncertain, and the Rabbit feels stressed by the Snake’s strong emotions. The Snake wants control, but the Rabbit just wants things to be relaxed. When they try to get along, conflicts are almost sure to happen.
Snake and Pig
When the Snake and Pig are together, it’s like a drama that never ends. They don’t understand each other, causing lots of problems. The Pig is honest and innocent, but the Snake is sneaky and clever, which leads to trouble.
The Pig often feels used by the Snake, while the Snake thinks the Pig is too simple to get them. They have a hard time communicating. Their different ways—Pig’s honesty versus Snake’s mystery—make it tough for them to connect.
Because they don’t understand each other well, it’s unlikely they’ll be truly happy together.
Summary of Love Compatibility for Snakes
💓Best Matches: Ox, Dragon, Monkey, Rooster
💔Bad Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, Pig
Each zodiac sign has its own special traits. In Chinese zodiac love compatibility, the traits of each animal are considered. Only signs that match well can be good partners. Below is how the Dragon matches with other signs.
You can check your compatibility using an online Chinese zodiac calculator.
❗Note: Compatibility isn’t determined solely by your zodiac sign—it also depends on the effort you put into the relationship.
How to Get Along with Snake People
Snakes have wide interests and enjoy making friends with similar hobbies. Though they seem mysterious and independent, they value close relationships with passionate partners. They are very loyal and don’t forgive betrayal.
To get along with Snake people, respect their privacy—they don’t open up easily and need space. They are smart and insightful, so have thoughtful conversations and avoid acting arrogant.
Snakes are cautious and take time to make decisions, so be patient. Trust is key; always be honest and genuine, as breaking their trust is hard to fix.
They’re ambitious but keep their goals private. Support them quietly without trying to control them.
Snakes can be jealous because they value loyalty. Be honest and reassuring to avoid misunderstandings.
Following these tips helps build a strong, respectful, and happy relationship with a loyal and wise Snake person.
HEALTH
Snakes’ health is often affected by their parents’ health, but they can feel much better by exercising regularly.
Snakes often eat only what they like and prefer unhealthy fast food and snacks. This can cause poor nutrition and stomach problems like gastritis.
Even though Snakes usually have good luck in life, their health can be a problem sometimes. Most health issues are small and don’t affect their longevity. This may be because they are naturally delicate or spend a lot of time sitting and doing quiet activities like reading or art.
Eat healthy, relax more, and try to include some physical activity in your daily routine.
FAMOUS PEOPLE
Snake Year People
The beauty and grace of snakes often make them natural style icons, celebrities, trendsetters, and influencers who are admired and imitated by many.
Metal Snake
- Louis Vuitton: Aug 4, 1821 (Fashion Designer)
- Clara Barton: Dec 25, 1821 (Entrepreneur)
- Guccio Gucci: Mar 26, 1881 (Fashion Designer)
- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: May 19, 1881 (1st Turkey President)
- Pablo Picasso: Oct 25, 1881 (Painter)
- Pope John XXIII: Nov 25, 1881
- Ettore Bugatti: Sep 15, 1881 (Entrepreneur)
- William Boeing: Oct 1, 1881 (Entrepreneur)
- Vivienne Westwood: Apr 8, 1941 (fashion Designer)
- Bob Dylan: May 24, 1941 (Singer)
- Martha Stewart: Aug 3, 1941 (Entrepreneur)
- Ronald Williams: Sep 30, 1941 (TikTok Star)
Water Snake
- Lucy Hobbs Taylor: Mar 14, 1833 (Dentist)
- Benjamin Harrison: Aug 20, 1833 (23rd US President)
- Alfred Nobel: Oct 21, 1833 (Chemist)
- Edna Parker: Apr 20, 1893 (Supercentenarian)
- Harold Lloyd: Apr 20, 1893 (Actor)
- Roy O Disney: June 24, 1893 (Entrepreneur)
- Yip Man: Oct 1, 1893 (Teacher)
- Mao Zedong: Dec 26, 1893 (Founder of People's Republic of China)
- Brigitte Macron: Apr 13, 1952 (1st Lady of France - Emmanuel Macron)
- Magma: May 4, 1953 (YouTube Star)
- Pierce Brosnan: May 16, 1953 (Actor)
- Xi Jinping: June 15, 1953 (President of People's Republic of China)
- Cyndi Lauper: June 22, 1953 (Singer)
- Hulk Hogan: Aug 11, 1953 (Wrestler)
- Prince George of Wales: Jul 22, 2013
Wood Snake
- Alexander III: Mar 10, 1845 (Former Emperor of Russia)
- Mary Eliza Mahoney: May 7, 1845 (Doctor)
- Masazo Nonaka: Jul 25, 1905 (Supercentenarian)
- Greta Garbo: Sep 18, 1905 (Actress)
- Fred Trump: Oct 11, 1905 (Entrepreneur)
- Howard Hughes: Dec 24, 1905 (Entrepreneur)
- Dr. Dre: Feb 18, 1965 (Music Producer)
- The Undertaker: Mar 24, 1965 (Wrestler)
- Robert Downey Jr.: Apr 4, 1965 (Actor)
- Martin Lawrence: Apr 16, 1965 (Actor)
- Brooke Shields: May 31, 1965 (Actress)
- J.K. Rowling: Jul 31, 1965 (Author)
- Shah Rukh Khan: Nov 2, 1965 (Actor)
- Salman Khan: Dec 27, 1965 (Actor)
Fire Snake
- Franz Schubert: Jan 28, 1797 (Composer)
- Mary Shelley: Aug 30, 1797 (Novelist)
- Ramón Castilla: Aug 31, 1797 (Former President of Peru)
- Sojourner Truth: Nov 18, 1797 (Activist)
- Joseph Henry: dec 17, 1797 (Engineer)
- Pope Pius XI: May 31, 1797
- Milton S. Hershey: Sep 13, 1857 (Entrepreneur)
- William Howard Taft: Sep 15, 1857 (27th US President)
- Ella Fitzgerald: Apr 25, 1917 (Singer)
- John F. Kennedy: May 29, 1917 (35th US President)
- Indira Gandhi: Nov 19, 1917 (Former PM of India)
- Chris Martin; Mar 2, 1977 (Singer)
- John Cena: Apr 23, 1977 (Wrestler)
- Kanye West: June 8, 1977 (Rapper)
- Thinknoodles: May 30, 1977 (Roblox Star)
- Ludacris: Sep 11, 1977 (Rapper)
- Rhett McLaughlin: Oct 11, 1977 (YouTube Star)
- Katie Stauffer: Nov 17, 1977 (Instagram Star)
- Psy: Dec 31, 1977 (Singer)
- Emmanuel Macron: Dec 21, 1977 (President of France)
Earth Snake
- Johann von Goethe: Aug 28, 1749 (Poet)
- Nicolas Appert: Nov 17, 1749 (Inventor)
- Neville Chamberlain: Mar 18, 1869 (Former PM of UK)
- Mahatma Gandhi: Oct 2, 1869 (Civil Rights Leader)
- Henri Matisse: Dec 31, 1869 (Painter)
- Gangsta Grandma: Jul 17, 1929 (TikTok Star)
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Jul 28, 1929 (1st Lady of US - John F. Kennedy)
- Yasser Arafat: Aug 24, 1929 (1st President of the Palestinian National Authority)
- Grace Kelly: Nov 12, 1929 (Actress & Princess of Monaco)
- CJ So Cool: Mar 29, 1989 (YouTube Star)
- Chris Brown: May 5, 1989 (Singer)
- Markiplier: June 28, 1989 (YouTube Star)
- Daniel Radcliffe: Jul 23, 1989 (Actor)
- Bebe Rexha: Aug 30, 1989 (Singer)
- Avicii: Sep 8, 1989 (DJ)
- Jason Derulo: Sep 21, 1989 (Singer)
- PewDiePie: Oct 24, 1989 (YouTube Star)
- Dr Mike: Nov 12, 1989 (YouTube Star)
- Taylor Swift: Dec 13, 1989 (Singer)
