Welcoming the Year of the Snake for Each Zodiac Animal
On January 29th, 2025, we are sliding into the Year of the Wood Snake! Each year is associated with one of the Chinese zodiac animals, and you may have started to feel a shift in energy already as we transition from the Year of the Dragon into the Year of the Snake. If you’d like to celebrate Lunar New Year with us, we invite you to enroll in our New Year Reset Package that includes a live workshop on January 25th. In the workshop, we’ll share a feng shui ritual that can be especially supportive if your birth year animal has a more challenging relationship with the Snake.
2025, the Year of the Snake
In the Chinese zodiac, the Snake is wise, intellectual, and clever. Snakes are connected to the element of yin fire. Like glowing embers, they are magnetizing and charming. Snakes are also multitalented and multifaceted. If you look at how snakes are perceived throughout history and across cultures, they are often representative of transformation, healing, strength, and protection. One way that you can work with the energy of the Snake in 2025 is to embrace these Snake-inspired themes and focus on bringing these qualities into your life.
Yin wood energy in 2025
Each year also has an element that is predominant. In 2025, this element is yin wood, and 2024 was a yang wood year. Wood is related to new beginnings, growth, and springtime. It also conjures up feelings of flexibility and generosity. Within each element, there is also a yin and a yang aspect. It’s a common misconception that yin and yang are two separate things. In reality, they’re always in relationship because one can’t exist without the other. Relative to yang, yin is dark, cold, subtle, and receptive. So, what can we look forward to in a yin wood year? Expect growth and new beginnings, but in a more slow, steady, flexible way than what you may have experienced in 2024.
What this means for each zodiac animal in 2025
Each of the zodiac animals embody different qualities, and they each have a different kind of relationship with the Snake. Your year will also be affected by the elemental energy of your birth year animal and how that interacts with yin wood, the predominant element of 2025, and yin fire, the elemental energy of the Snake.
Below, you’ll find a description of each of the zodiac animals, what’s in store for each one based on the energy of this year, and our suggestions for each animal to make the most of 2025.
*Please note: if your birthday is between January 1st and February 5th, your animal sign will be the animal of the preceding year. If you were born on February 3rd, 4th, or 5th, we would recommend finding your natal chart online or consulting a Chinese almanac.
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Rat 子
Resourceful, likes to be busy, can sniff out opportunities
1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Overall energy of 2025: Good
The Snake appreciates the Rat’s resourcefulness. Rats embody yang water qi, like a fast-moving river. This yang water combined with the yin fire of the snake and the yin wood of this year all work together positively in the creative cycle of the five elements.
What to focus on this year: Be a resource. Your water can be useful to grow and create something brilliant and magnetizing.
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Ox 丑
Steady eddy, hard-working and reliable, plows through problems calmly
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Overall energy for 2025: Great
The Ox has a very auspicious relationship with the Snake, and the Snake respects the Ox’s tenacity. Together with the Rooster, these animals form a harmony, and they all get along very well. This means that Oxen will have great support this year. Oxen embody yin earth energy, which can be represented by soft sand on a beach or soft, receptive soil or clay. This yin earth combined with the yin fire of the Snake and the yin wood of 2025 is also a supportive combination.
What to focus on this year: This year’s energy is on your side, so allow it to feed you. If you can be nourished by what’s presented to you this year, you’ll do well.
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Tiger 寅
Dynamic, self-reliant tigers leap forward with creative ideas
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Overall energy of 2025: Challenging
The Tiger and the Snake are not the best of friends, and the Tiger tends to be too restless for the Snake. Tigers embody yang wood, represented by the dynamic energy of springtime. This energy combined with the yin fire of the Snake and yin wood of the year may be challenging. Your solitary and independent energy may feel depleted, and you may also feel at an impasse.
What to focus on in 2025: Make friends with the most challenging parts of yourself. Take this opportunity to turn an adversarial relationship or challenge into something positive and healing.
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Rabbit 卯
Easy-going, sensitive, and sociable, the Rabbit hops along with grace
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Overall energy of 2025: Pretty good
The Snake and Rabbit get along quite well. They’re both small beings that are grounded and close to the earth, and they can feel settled and peaceful together — at least within the zodiac! The Rabbit’s yin wood energy is like a blooming flower or a growing vine. This energy works with the elemental energy of the Snake, yin fire, and the yin wood energy of 2025.
What to focus on this year: In 2025, you should feel a lot of relief from the Year of the Dragon, which was a challenging time for Rabbits. This year, work with your delicate sensibilities and weave them into the magnetic energy that’s available to you in the Year of the Snake.
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Dragon 辰
Energetic, strong dragons fly through life with purpose.
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Overall energy for 2025: Great
Dragons and Snakes get along really well. Dragons embody yang earth energy, like a like high, rocky mountain peaks. Together with yin fire and yin wood, these elements form a creative relationship: wood feeds fire, which makes earth. Last year was a challenging year for you, so you are probably feeling some relief as we transition to the Year of the Snake.
What to focus on this year: This year will feel very supportive, so take time to stretch your wings and fly high!
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Snake 巳
Intellectual snakes slide through life with wisdom and grace.
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Overall energy for 2025: Challenging
It may sound auspicious to be a Snake in the Year of the Snake, but this is actually considered quite challenging. However, you do have some supportive energy on your side — this year’s yin wood energy feeds your natural yin fire.
What to focus on this year: This year brings an invitation to look at yourself in the mirror. Notice how you embody the qualities of the Snake, like transformation, healing, and protection, and how you can continue to cultivate those aspects of yourself. This is also a great time to focus on self-care, and to look to your best friends in the zodiac like the Monkey as well as other helpful people for support.
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Horse 午
Strong, active horses will gallop by, looking for adventure.
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Overall energy of 2025: So-so
Horses are a little too spirited for the thoughtful Snake. Horses embody yang fire, like the blazing sun of high noon. Together with the yin fire of the Snake and the yin wood of 2025, this makes for a very fiery and interesting year for the horse.
What to focus on in this year: Your direct nature and tendency to charge forth might not be as successful this year. In 2025, take some notes from the Snake and proceed with more subtlety. While you usually fly straight like an arrow, try taking the approach of a meandering stream instead.
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Ram 未
Gentle and kind, but under that soft, woolly exterior is strong determination.
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Overall energy of 2025: Neutral
The Ram, also known as the Sheep or Goat, has a neutral relationship with the Snake. They are both peace-loving animals. Rams embody yin earth energy, which is also present in nurturing, rich, fertile soil. Yin earth combined with the Snake’s yin fire and the yin wood of 2025 create an invitation to really appreciate and embrace your sensitive side.
What to focus on this year: Lean into your earthy, soft nature, because it will be supported this year. This is also a great time to learn from the Snake’s ambition and see if you can take a risk or two this year, because it may turn out for the best.
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Monkey 申
Clever, curious monkeys will charm others with their ap-peel.
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Overall energy of 2025: Excellent
The Monkey is the secret best friend of the Snake, so this will be a great year for you. Both of these animals are very smart, and the Snake really loves the Monkey’s clever side. Monkeys embody yang metal, like a sharp, fierce sword.
What to focus on this year: Along with the Snake, enjoy taking a meandering path this year. You’re really good at swinging from tree to tree in a serpentine pattern, and your cleverness doesn’t always take you on the most direct path. Use the auspicious energy that is on your side this year to swing over and share some of this abundance with others, especially animals like the Pig and Tiger who could use more support.
Note: The Monkey’s best friend status with the Snake is also why, in BTB feng shui tradition, it’s auspicious to carry a three-dimensional representation of a Monkey with you. Our feng shui amulets for protection and luck can be especially supportive for zodiac animals who have a more challenging relationship with the Snake.
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Rooster 酉
Articulate, astute roosters strut with confidence
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Overall energy of 2025: Great
Rooster has the best relationship with the Dragon, last year’s zodiac animal, and your good fortune will continue in 2025. The Snake, Ox, and Rooster form a harmony, which means that the Rooster and the Snake have a very supportive relationship. The Snake and the Rooster are both meticulous and detail-oriented. Roosters embody yin metal energy, represented by delicate, shiny jewelry.
What to focus on this year: You can make this year even more supportive by connecting to the earth element and doing things that ground you. Similar to those born in the Year of the Monkey, this is a great year to share your good fortune with others, especially the Pig and the Tiger.
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Dog 戌
Loyal dogs look out for others and they are dogged protectors
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Overall energy of 2025: Good
The Dog and the Snake have a positive relationship, so the energy of this year will be supportive. The Snake values the Dog’s loyalty, and Dogs also have a humble and helpful way about them which is compatible with the Snake’s enigmatic and secretive side. Dogs embody yang earth energy, like a strong cliff wall. With the yin fire of the Snake and the yin wood of 2025, this creates an interesting mix of energy for the Dog in 2025.
What to focus on this year: As a Dog, be supportive and helpful to those who you see are struggling.
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Pig 亥
Good-natured and trust-worthy, Pigs are always there to help ‘snout’
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Overall energy of 2025: Challenging
Pigs are fun-loving, diplomatic, and mellow, and they love to enjoy themselves. They have a very different approach to life from the Snake, so they will find that the year of the Snake can be quite challenging. Pigs embody yin water, like a misty, cool morning dew, and this isn’t the most useful combination with the yin fire and yin wood that are available this year.
What to focus on in 2025: Take it easy, be mindful of your needs, and take care of yourself. This isn’t the year for burning the candle at both ends. In 2025, you can also look to the Snake to see what you can learn from that archetype.
We hope this forecast helps you better understand the energy coming your way in 2025, and we hope to see you at our live Lunar New Year workshop on January 25th!