Do you know that the year of the Snake (蛇 shé) (1) will have 384 days? As we prepare to celebrate the new year that starts on 29 January, it's the perfect time to explore the significance behind this intriguing creature and some related fun facts.
Across cultures, the snake embodies a dual nature: on the one side, a powerful emblem of life and renewal as they shed skin to grow and renew themselves; on the other, a symbol of enigma and peril with their venomous bites and ability to camouflage.
Symbol of fertility and eternity
The snake is seen as a symbol of fertility and eternal life in many cultures.
In Chinese mythology, the creator of humanity 女娲 (Nǚwā), is often depicted with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a serpent entwined with 伏羲 (Fúxī), legendary creator of many elements of the Chinese civilisation. The intertwined forms of Nǚwā and Fúxī bear a striking resemblance to Nāga couples, symbols of fertility found in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
In Western culture, the Ouroboros, an ancient symbol depicting a serpent devouring its own tail, also represents the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. Snakes in native North American cultures and the Vision Serpent in Maya mythology have all served as symbols of fertility or rebirth.
Emblem of medicine and healing
The snake’s healing power is known in different cultures dating back to antiquity, making it a universal emblem of medicine and healing.
In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, parts of the snake, such as its venom, fat and gallbladders, have long been used to treat ailments. Modern science is still uncovering the medicinal potential of snake venom, which has led to life-saving treatments for conditions like blood clots and high blood pressure.
In Western tradition, the healing power of snakes is embodied by Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. His snake-entwined staff, known as the “Rod of Asclepius,” remains a universal symbol of medicine, appearing on the World Health Organization's flag and emergency medical services’ flags worldwide.
One of Asclepius's daughters, Hygieia — whose name gives us the word “hygiene” — is also depicted with a snake: the Bowl of Hygieia is a familiar symbol outside pharmacies across Europe.
Incarnations of evil or embodiments of benevolence
While the snake’s significant place in life and medicine is universal across cultures, its portrayal in literature is more varied.
In Western cultures, the snake often appears as a figure of danger or temptation. For example, the Gorgons in Greek mythology, with their hair of serpents, showcase the snake’s power to evoke fear and awe. In Milton’s Paradise Lost, the Snake becomes the vessel for Satan’s cunning as he tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to humanity’s fall.
While the Chinese does recognise the snake’s malignant side, as seen in well-known idioms that are used to describe people with malicious intentions like 佛口蛇心 (fó kǒu shé xīn) or 蛇蝎心肠 (shé xiē xīn cháng) (2), the Chinese culture also celebrates the snake’s association with wisdom and protection. One of the most famous Chinese folklores, "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传, báishé zhuàn), tells a timeless tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice intertwined with themes of human and supernatural coexistence.
In China, snakes are also known endearingly as 小龙(xiǎolóng), or little dragons, as Chinese dragons are seen as a symbol of benevolence.
What does snake signify in your culture? Please tell us in comments below.
The Year of the Snake in 2025
My number-loving friends have told me that the year 2025 is special because:
$2025 = (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9)^2 = 1^3+2^3+3^3+4^3+5^3+6^3+7^3+8^3+9^3$
And more generally: $\left(\displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^n{k}\right)^2 = \displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^n{k^3}$, wow!
And did you know that …
the Year of Snake is also numerically interesting because it will have 384 days. While the Chinese lunisolar year typically lasts 354 or 355 days, a leap month is added seven times every 19 years to align the lunar and solar cycles.
Other interesting facts:
- The Chinese calendar follows a sexagenary 'stems-and-branches' cycle and we’re about to enter the Year of the Wood Snake, known as 乙巳年 (yǐ sì nián).
- In December 2024, the Chinese New Year celebration was officially designated as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
To mark the end of New Year festivities, the Languages Team at the Skills Centre will host an art and craft event on 12 February, the day of Lantern Festival. Please book your free ticket and join us in from 2 pm – everyone welcome!
Wishing you 巳巳如意 (sìsì rúyì)! May the year of 蛇 (shé) bring you the courage to shed old skins and embrace new beginnings, or to simply try something new!
Footnotes
(1) The Chinese word for snake, 蛇 shé is pronounced like the English word “shirt” with the “t” sound removed and with a question intonation.
(2) Literal translation of these idioms: 佛口蛇心 (fó kǒu shé xīn), "A Buddha's mouth but a snake's heart"; 蛇蝎心肠 (shé xiē xīn cháng), "A heart like that of a snake and scorpion".
Responses
Excellent blog explaining thoroughly what the snake sign means. The interaction with Chinese characters and the many facts makes the reading not only interesting but compulsory. It is about going beyond interculturality and internationalisation, it is also about decolonising culture and languages.
The number part is a good addition!!!
I hope the lantern event is a total success!!!