Chinese New Year 2025 of the Snake: when does it start, what can and cannot be done
What does the year of the Wood Snake have in store for all of us?
The Chinese calendar that underlies the Lunar New Year is a lunisolar calendar based on astronomical observations of the position of the Sun in the sky and the phases of the Moon. When does Chinese New Year start in 2025? It falls on January 29, 2025 and marks the beginning of the year of the Wood Snake. This holiday is celebrated for 15 days. The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac and is associated with wisdom, intuition and strategic growth.
MigNews reminds us that the Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year animal cycle and also contains one of the p&# 8217;the elements are wood, fire, earth, metal or water, thus creating a 60-year cycle. The last “Year of the Wood Snake” was celebrated in 1965, according to Forbes.
When does the Chinese New Year 2025 of the Snake begin
Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is one of the most important cultural holidays, celebrated by millions of people around the world. The 15-day festival begins on the first new moon of the Chinese lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival on the following full moon. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can fall anytime between January 21 and February 20.
The phases of the moon determine the timing of the festival. In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on Wednesday, January 29, and the Year of the Wood Snake will last until February 16, 2026. The holiday will end on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, when the February full moon, the “Snow Moon,” rises.
Why are New Years different? This ancient calendar dates back to the 14th century BC (while the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582). The Chinese lunisolar calendar shares some similarities with the Jewish calendar, which is also lunisolar, and has influenced other East Asian calendars, such as those of Korea and Vietnam.
Like the Gregorian New Year (January 1), the Lunar New Year celebration begins on the night before the first day of the new year.
2025 Zodiac: Year of the Snake and the Element of Wood
In 2025, we will be celebrating the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac. The zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year corresponding to one of the 12 animal signs in a specific order.
People born in the Year of the Snake are known to be mysterious, intelligent, charming, and creative. They have a sharp mind and an eye for detail. However, they can also be secretive, cunning, and sometimes ruthless. Snakes are particularly known for their strong will and determination.
Each year of the 60-year Chinese zodiac cycle is associated with one of the five elements, which are combined with one of the 12 animal signs. These elements repeat every 12 years. And the animals – every 10 years.
2025 is the year of the Wood Snake. This is a rare and special combination that occurs once every 60 years. If you were born 60 years ago, then you are also a Wood Snake! The element of the year gives a unique “flavor” to each zodiac sign.
- Wood: Imagination and creativity.
- Fire: Passion and dynamic energy.
- Earth: Down-to-earth and pragmatism.
- Metal: Firmness and willpower.
- Water: Sensitivity and conviction.
Chinese horoscope: lucky and unlucky signs in 2025
The Chinese zodiac includes 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The energy of the Snake sign affects each animal differently:
- Rat: A stable year with growth.
- Tiger: Some tension; avoid confrontation and focus on personal development.
- Ox/Taurus: A stable year with recognition and/or romance.
- Rabbit: An auspicious year that brings good luck.
- Dragon: A peaceful and prosperous year.
- Snake: Favorable year with favorable opportunities; avoid excessive generosity.
- Horse: Favorable year with progress.
- Goat: Some difficulties; rely on personal values and sound judgment.
- Monkey: A good year, career breakthroughs, and strong synergy with Snake.
- Rooster: Favorable year, especially in work or finances.
- Dog: A year of growth and new beginnings; be aware of possible conflicts.
- Pig: A year of luck and positive energy; prioritize long-term goals.
When does Chinese New Year 2025 begin, what you can and can't do
The exact date of the New Year is January 29 at 20:36 Beijing time. In Kyiv it will be January 29, 14:36. To make the year successful for you, you can do traditional things that are believed in China to help start the year right.
What to do for Chinese New Year:
- Cleaning and decorating the house. Preparations for the holiday begin a few days before it begins. A thorough cleaning is carried out to ward off misfortune. Houses are decorated with red decorative elements, which are symbols of prosperity and happiness, to welcome good luck. This is why red is often associated with the Lunar New Year, as it carries positive energy.
- Offerings to ancestors. Chinese New Year is an occasion to honor the memory of ancestors by making offerings to them. This tradition includes visiting the graves of ancestors and giving them an extra seat at the dinner table on New Year's Eve.
- Giving red envelopes. Exchanging hongbao, or red envelopes containing money, is one of the most popular customs of the Lunar New Year. The color red is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits for both the giver and the recipient.
- Watching lion dances and setting off firecrackers. Performances such as lion and dragon dances are a common component of Chinese New Year celebrations. They play an important role in attracting good luck and prosperity.
What not to do during Chinese New Year:
- Crying. Crying is a harbinger of misfortune and should be avoided if possible. Some even advise parents to refrain from punishing their children during the days dedicated to the New Year.
- Negative words. To avoid bad luck, do not say words with a negative connotation. For example, death, sick, empty, poor, and kill.
- Sweeping. Sweeping and cleaning should only be done before the Lunar New Year. Sweeping on New Year's Day can sweep away all the good luck that has accumulated in your home.
- Using scissors. Since using scissors is discouraged, haircuts are also prohibited for the entire month after Lunar New Year. In honor of this tradition, many hair salons and barbershops close for the entire month.
- Wearing black or white. In traditional East Asian culture, black and white clothing is usually worn only for bad occasions, such as funerals. Wearing these colors during the New Year holiday can be seen as inviting misfortune and even death into your life.
- Eating rice. The first meal of the new year should never be rice porridge. Rice porridge symbolizes the beggarly past, when it was one of the only foods available at the time. It is believed that eating this dish brings bad luck in money.
What about your regular horoscope? What awaits you in 2025? Here is the forecast for all 12 zodiac signs.