The Snake is usually the sixth of the twelve Chinese lunar calendars, also known as the Chinese lunar year. The Chinese believe that the snake is symbolic of one's need to continually be in motion. The snake is symbolic of one's vitality and one's ability to endure. Thus, the year of the snake strongly suggests that the current month has brought us the utmost vitality and will bring us an even greater impetus to strive for improvement in our lives.
The year of the snake in Chinese terms is considered to be the equivalent of Decimal day number 12 of the traditional Chinese calendar, although there are some who feel that it should really be regarded as the Twelfth Day of the Chinese New Year. The Snake is traditionally associated with Earthly Branch, also known as å·… or Qu Yuan, which represents one's desire to be a creator. According to legend, the first snake appears on this day when the Earth is still being shaped. Ancient Chinese artists depict the snake as a being with large, powerful teeth and coils of skin on its body. It is also commonly believed that it is a symbol for the struggle of creation.
The Chinese lunar calendar is divided into 12 sections, and each of them is called a "moon." Each of these moon segments has five months of the Chinese year, hence, the names of the months occurring within that time frame are also termed as "moons" or "seasons." The snake being representative of a struggle between creation and nature, is also considered to represent the struggle of life and death. The New Moon happens to fall on the initial day of the first week of January, which happens to be the birth of the New Year.
The Year of the Snake in Chinese Astrology
One lunar month represents nine days of the Chinese New Year. The moon in late January is said to be half the size of the sun and half the day of the Full Moon. Another feature of this mythical creature is that it does not transform. As it pertains to Chinese astrology, a snake in the lunar months is a yin-yang symbol, or an animal that has no definite place in specific times. It may be considered a hindrance or a blessing at different points in its cycle.
The Chinese New Year can be regarded as a transition period between old and new, good and evil, and the old with the new. January - February are considered to be the transition months of old and the start of new. Chinese astrology attributes this mythological creature to the pre-eminence of female energy (feminine energy or Feng Shui) in Chinese culture. According to popular belief, if the earth can shake off the burdens of last year, the next New Year will be filled with prosperity and good luck.
This is just one of the many legends that Chinese astrology upholds, and there are other versions as well. In addition, the Chinese regard this mythical creature to be an important part of their mythology and astrology system. The snake also bears reference to the Five Elements: metal, wood, earth, fire, and water. These elements form the basic foundation of Chinese astrology. The Chinese deem the snake to be a symbol of change and life. Accordingly, every Chinese new year is ushered in the myth of the Great Dragon, the bringer of news of fortune, and he is accompanied by his tail.
The dragon has always been viewed as an important symbol of fortune in China, especially the New Year. The story of the Great Dragon makes for an important part of Chinese astrology, and every one of the Chinese New Year celebrations is centered around this particular mythological animal. Chinese people have always associated the New Year with the dragon and they consider it to be an important part of their traditional lore. In addition, the snake is also considered to be a symbol of change and the rise of another life into the heavens. Thus, every Chinese new year celebration includes a ceremony of welcoming in the birth of another life.
The snake also represents the element of metal. This is why, as the moon rises in the late winter and the sun in the late autumn, these two celestial bodies are often conjured together to represent the evil dragon and the evil influence that it brings with it. Accordingly, this animal is also associated with luck and bad circumstances. The snake in Chinese astrology does not necessarily point to an individual's personality or even to the characteristics of an animal, but more to the changes that take place within the person's life during the lunar months.
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