The Snake 蛇
wise · private · elegant · determined
Snake personality
Best traits: wise, private, elegant, determined. Snakes are deep thinkers who plan quietly and rarely waste a move. They are perceptive about people and financially shrewd.
Weak spots: They can be secretive, suspicious, and slow to trust. Snakes may hold others to a standard they never explain out loud.
Snake years
People born in these years are Snakes (check the Chinese New Year cut-off if you were born in January or February):
1941 · 1953 · 1965 · 1977 · 1989 · 2001 · 2013 · 2025 · 2037
Snake compatibility
- Best match: Monkey — the classic "secret friend" pairing.
- Also strong: Ox, Rooster (same affinity triangle).
- Hardest match: Pig (direct opposition).
See how the Snake pairs with all 12 signs →
The Snake by element
Every Snake also has one of five elements, set by the birth year: Wood Snake · Fire Snake · Earth Snake · Metal Snake · Water Snake. The element colours the personality — see how the five elements work.
Lucky for the Snake
Numbers: 2, 8, 9. Colors: red, light yellow, black. Suggested careers: analyst, psychologist, scientist, investor, philosopher.
Frequently asked questions
What years are Snake years?
Recent Snake years are 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. They repeat every 12 years. If you were born in January or February, check the Chinese New Year date for your year.
What is the Snake personality like?
Snakes are deep thinkers who plan quietly and rarely waste a move. They are perceptive about people and financially shrewd. On the difficult side: They can be secretive, suspicious, and slow to trust. Snakes may hold others to a standard they never explain out loud.
Who is the Snake most compatible with?
The Monkey (the "secret friend" pairing), plus the Ox and Rooster. The hardest match is the Pig.
Is the Snake a lucky sign?
No sign is luckier than another in the Chinese zodiac — each has strengths and weaknesses. The Snake's lucky numbers are 2, 8, 9 and lucky colors are red, light yellow, black.