Earth Snake
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1929, 1989
Animal 6 of 12 · Fire · Yin
The Snake
Discernment, privacy and long calculation.
Position in cycle6 of 12
Fixed elementFire
Yin or yangYin
Hours governed09:00–11:00
SeasonSummer
Lucky numbers2, 8, 9
Lucky coloursred, yellow, black
Strength. Reads situations accurately and says nothing until saying something helps.
Friction. Keeps its own counsel to the point where nobody knows where they stand.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Snake holds 09:00–11:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Snake as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Perceptive
Private
Elegant
Suspicious
Patient
Snake years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Metal Snake | 27 January |
| 1953 | Water Snake | 14 February |
| 1965 | Wood Snake | 2 February |
| 1977 | Fire Snake | 18 February |
| 1989 | Earth Snake | 6 February |
| 2001 | Metal Snake | 24 January |
| 2013 | Water Snake | 10 February |
| 2025 | Wood Snake | 29 January |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Snakes
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Snake and a Fire Snake are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Metal Snake
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1941, 2001
Water Snake
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1953, 2013
Wood Snake
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1965, 2025
Fire Snake
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1977, 2037
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Snake recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Snake year is 2037.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Snake compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ox | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Rooster | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Monkey | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Rabbit | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Goat | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Snake | Same sign | 72% |
| Rat | Neutral | 68% |
| Dragon | Neutral | 68% |
| Horse | Neutral | 68% |
| Dog | Neutral | 68% |
| Tiger | Square — friction | 60% |
| Pig | Traditional clash | 45% |