Chinese New Year 2025: Why ‘Snake’ Animal Sign This Year? Check the Reason Behind It

There are generally three types of calendars: the Gregorian calendar, the lunar calendar, and the lunisolar calendar. Each is used by different cultures and regions around the world to mark time and important events.

We generally follow the Gregorian calendar, also known as the solar calendar, which means it is based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun, which usually lasts about 365.24 days. Therefore, our New Year is set on January 1st every year.

You are watching: Chinese New Year 2025: Why ‘Snake’ Animal Sign This Year? Check the Reason Behind It

However, some cultures, such as the Chinese, follow the lunisolar calendar to celebrate the new year. But what’s the difference with the Chinese lunar calendar? Want to know? Let’s dig deeper!

Check out | Lunar New Year 2025: This year’s dates, animals, and the status of the holiday around the world

What is the lunisolar calendar?

Source: Medium

Lunar comes from the Latin word “Luna” meaning “moon”. In addition, the word “Solar” is also a Latin word, which comes from the word “Sol”, which means “sun”.

The lunisolar calendar is a calendar that takes into account both the phases of the moon and the position of the sun in the sky.

It combines a lunar calendar based on the moon’s 29.5-day cycle (new moon to new moon) with solar calendar elements that coincide with the Earth’s orbit around the sun (approximately 365.25 days).

Also Read | China unveils artistic logo for its ambitious 2025 space mission

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an important cultural celebration celebrated by Chinese communities around the world.

This festival marks the beginning of the traditional Chinese lunar new year, which usually falls between January 21st and February 20th. In 2025, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated on January 29th and will end with the Lantern Festival on February 12th.

historical background

The origins of Chinese New Year date back some 3,500 years, with roots in ancient agricultural practices and rituals to honor gods and ancestors. The festival is believed to have evolved from celebrations celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring, symbolizing hopes of revival and prosperity in the coming year.

See more : Observation Skill Test: If you have Eagle Eyes find the Word Luggage among Baggage in 5 Secs

Explore more|What is a CR450 prototype? China’s new high-speed train breaks speed record of 450 kilometers per hour

2025 Chinese New Year Zodiac Signs

2025 is the Year of the Snake, which has specific astrological significance. Snakes are associated with wisdom, grace, and intuition.

Why choose the “Snake” zodiac sign this year?

Source: Hindustan Times

The Year of the Snake, 2025, specifically the Wood Snake, which begins on January 29, is significant because of its themes of wisdom, transformation, and growth.

Snakes are the sixth animal in the zodiac and are characterized by intuition and adaptability. Wood elements enhance these characteristics, promoting development and nurturing relationships.

This year is viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, encouraging individuals to embrace change and pursue long-term goals while promoting harmonious connections with others.

Continue reading|What is the India-China Line of Actual Control Patrol Agreement? Key points and explanations

The meaning of the twelve zodiac signs in the lunar calendar

The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals, each representing a year in a 12-year cycle. Each zodiac sign is associated with unique personality traits and characteristics. Here are the twelve zodiac signs and their meanings:

1) Rat

• Years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
• Traits: Charming, creative, resourceful. Rats are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They are generally considered sociable and social.

2) cow

• Years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
• Characteristics: Diligent, reliable, strong-willed. Oxen are known for their patience and determination. They value hard work and are generally seen as reliable leaders.

3) tiger

• Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
• Traits: Brave, competitive, charming. Tigers are known for their enthusiasm and adventurous spirit, but can also be impulsive.

4) Rabbit

• Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
• Traits: Gentle, compassionate, artistic. Rabbits are considered lucky and are often diplomatic in their interactions.

5) Dragon

• Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
• Traits: Confident, ambitious, charismatic. Dragons are considered strong and dynamic leaders with a flair for the dramatic.

6) Snake

• Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
• Traits: Intelligent, mysterious, intuitive. Known for their analytical abilities, Snakes are both charming and mysterious.

7) horse

• Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
• Characteristics: Energetic and free-spirited. Horses value independence and are known for being sociable and enthusiastic.

8) Goat (or Sheep)

• Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
• Personality traits: Mild-tempered and mild-mannered. Goats are artistic and often seek peace, but can be indecisive at times.

9) monkey

• Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
• Characteristics: Smart and witty. Monkeys are playful and curious, but can also be playful or unpredictable.

10) Cock

• Year: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
• Characteristics: Strong observation ability, hard-working and hard-working. Roosters are known for being confident and punctual, but can also be perfectionists.

11) Dog

• Year: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
• Characteristics: Loyalty, honesty. Dogs are protective of those they love and value justice, but can also be stubborn.

12) Pig (or wild boar)

• Year: 1947, 1959,1971,1983,1995,2007,2019
• Characteristics: Generous and compassionate. Pig people enjoy the joys of life, but can sometimes be naive or gullible.

Discover | Happy New Year 2025: 50+ Quotes, Wishes, Greetings to Share with Friends and Family

What do the five elements in the lunar calendar mean?

The significance of the five elements in the Chinese calendar is rooted in the Five Elements Theory, which plays a vital role in Chinese philosophy, astrology, and various cultural practices.

Each element periodically interacts with other elements to influence personality traits, relationships, and even destiny. Here is a detailed overview of each element:

1) wood

• Traits: Growth, energy and creativity.
• Characteristics: People associated with Wood are often seen as idealists, planners and visionaries. They are adaptable and thrive in collaborative environments.
• Symbolism: Wood represents spring, renewal and expansion. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it related to the liver, emphasizing health and vitality.

2) fire

• Traits: Passion, energy and enthusiasm.
• Characteristics: People with the fire element are brave, adventurous and good at research. They often take initiative and inspire others with their enthusiasm.
• Symbolism: Fire symbolizes summer and warmth. It is associated with inner and emotional expression, highlighting joy and intensity.

3) Earth

• Traits: Stable, cultured, balanced.
• Characteristics: Earthlings are known for their kindness, honesty, and leadership qualities. They are thoughtful mediators who value harmony.
• Symbolism: The earth represents late summer or the harvest season. It is related to the spleen/pancreas in traditional medicine, focusing on nourishment and support.

4) metal

• Traits: Strength, determination and resilience.
• Characteristics: Gold people are persistent and hard-working, and are often regarded as managers or leaders. They possess strong willpower but are also known to be rigid or uncompromising.
• Symbolism: Metal corresponds to autumn and represents clarity and precision. In traditional medicine, it is associated with the lungs, emphasizing breathing and communication.

5) water

• Traits: Flexibility, intuition and introspection.
• Traits: People related to water are compassionate perfectionists and good at coordination. They tend to be insightful but can be hesitant.
• Symbolism: Water symbolizes winter and adaptability. In traditional medicine, it is associated with the kidneys and focuses on fluidity and emotional depth.

interaction of elements

See more : You Need to Have Eagle Eyes to Locate the Caterpillar in this Optical Illusion

These elements interact in two main ways:

• Cycle of Generation: Each element generates or supports another element (e.g., wood fuels fire; fire creates earth from ashes).
• Control loop: Each element can control or inhibit another element (e.g., water extinguishes fire; fire melts metal).

You May Like | New Year’s Day 2025: 30+ Images, Photos, Pictures to Share with Your Loved Ones to Welcome a New Beginning

Traditional Celebrations and Customs of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated with a rich variety of traditions and customs that vary from region to region but share a common theme: family, new life and good luck.

The 2025 celebrations will begin on January 29 and last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on February 12.

1) Family reunion dinner

New Year’s Eve Dinner: The most important meal occurs on New Year’s Eve, when the family gathers together for a sumptuous dinner. The meal usually includes symbolic dishes such as dumplings (representing wealth) and fish (symbolizing surplus).

2) Fireworks and firecrackers

Setting off fireworks is a traditional way to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the arrival of the New Year. The loud noise is believed to scare away the mythical Nian beast, which is said to terrorize villages during this time.

3) Red envelope

Source: Ubuy India

Red envelopes: Elders give red envelopes to children and younger family members, which contain money and symbolize good luck and prosperity. The purpose of this is to ward off evil spirits and ensure good health in the coming year.

4) Cleaning and decorating

To welcome the New Year, every household will clean their home thoroughly to eliminate the bad luck of the previous year. After cleaning, lanterns, couplets and other red items will be hung in the home to symbolize good luck.

5) Cultural performances

Lion and Dragon Dances: These energetic performances are held in public places and are said to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. They are usually accompanied by drums and cymbals.

6) Lantern Festival

The celebrations reach their climax on the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, when people light lanterns, guess lantern riddles and eat glutinous rice balls, symbolizing family reunion.

7) Religious activities

Many families go to temples to pray for the new year. They may burn incense and make offerings to the gods as part of their spiritual rituals.

8) Other customs

• Wear new clothes: People are accustomed to wearing new clothes during celebrations, symbolizing a new beginning.
• Avoid taboos: During this time, certain actions are considered unlucky, such as using knives or sweeping the floor on New Year’s Day, as these actions may break good luck or sweep away prosperity.

In case you missed it | New Year’s Eve 2025: Celebrating the New Year with Hope and Joy

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion