As the tumultuous Year of the Dragon winds down, the world prepares for the dawn of the Year of the Snake, which officially begins with the new moon on January 29, 2025, at 1:36 PM Swiss time.

According to the Eastern lunar calendar, 2025 marks the Year of the Wood Snake, associated with green, blue, or cyan colors in accordance with the Wu Xing principle—the ancient concept of the Five Elements.

In terms of energy, the Snake is regarded as a subtler counterpart to the Dragon. While the Dragon embodies Yang energy with its upward, vertical motion, the Snake represents Yin energy, gliding horizontally. This shift from the dynamic force of the Dragon (Yang) to the steady resilience of the Snake (Yin) offers a symbolic framework for the coming year.

Natural disasters are expected to occur with similar frequency, while geopolitical tensions and military conflicts persist. Economic relief appears distant, yet a collective acceptance of current realities, coupled with perseverance, could set the stage for a more optimistic Year of the Horse in 2026.

The snake, as it sheds its skin, symbolizes renewal. Though outwardly unchanged, it undergoes continuous transformation, on physical, energetic, and informational levels, offering a metaphor for the year ahead. As 2025 progresses, this quiet evolution may manifest in personal, societal, and global spheres, heralding a more promising future.

The Influence of the Snake on Each Zodiac Sign

According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Snake (1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013) will face significant life changes. In 2025, additional opportunities will open up for them.

The Year of the Snake will be favorable for those born in the Years of the Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) and the Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021). They may experience promotions at work, career advancement, and business development. Retirees, or those approaching retirement, will have the chance to fully enjoy relaxation and a favorable environment.

For those born in the Year of the Pig (1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019), 2025 will be a year of trials. However, by acting cautiously and carefully considering each step, the Pig will ultimately undergo transformation.

Those born in the Year of the Monkey (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016) will feel relatively comfortable throughout the year without needing to make significant efforts.

People born in the Years of the Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014) and the Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018) will also have a good year in 2025, especially in terms of relationships. It will be a favorable time for them to fall in love.

Those born in the Year of the Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022) can expect small surprises. Regardless of whether these surprises are good or not, the Tiger will handle them with ease.

For people born in the Years of the Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020), Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023), Sheep (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015), and Dragon (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012), 2025 will be relatively neutral. However, many of them will have a high chance of falling in love during the Year of the Snake.

The 60-Year Cycle: Echoes from the Past

In Chinese tradition, the zodiac comprises 12 animals, each paired with one of the five elements: Water (black), Wood (green-blue), Fire (red), Earth (yellow), and Metal (white). This combination creates a 60-year cycle—a framework that allows for historical reflection and pattern recognition.

Looking back 60 years to 1965, the last Year of the Wood Snake, offers insights into potential themes and events. Ancient scholars noted recurring patterns within these cycles, suggesting that past events may echo in present circumstances.

Revisiting 1965: A Year of Upheaval and Innovation

Sixty years ago, from February 2, 1965, to January 20, 1966, the world experienced significant historical events during the Year of the Wood Snake:

February
• Canada unveiled a new national flag featuring a red maple leaf.
• Malcolm X, a prominent civil rights activist, was assassinated in New York City by a member of the “Black Muslims.”
• The AN-22 “Antei,” the world’s largest wide-body transport aircraft, designed by O.K. Antonov’s bureau in Kyiv (Ukraine, USSR), made its first flight.
• Gambia gained independence from Great Britain.

March
• Israel established diplomatic ties with West Germany.
• Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human to conduct a spacewalk from the “Voskhod-2” spacecraft.
• NASA’s “Ranger-9” spacecraft transmitted 5,814 images of the Moon before crashing into its surface.
• The United States launched Operation “Rolling Thunder,” an aerial bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
• For the first time, Mass in the Catholic Church was celebrated in local languages rather than Latin.
• On “Bloody Sunday,” Alabama state troopers brutally attacked civil rights demonstrators in Selma, sparking national outrage.
• The first U.S. ground troops, 3,500 Marines, landed in South Vietnam.
• The Indo-Pakistani War began.
• Violent suppression of student protests in Morocco highlighted rising tensions in the region.
• NASA’s Gemini 3 mission marked the first U.S. two-person crewed spaceflight.
• A devastating earthquake in La Ligua, Chile, triggered a dam collapse, resulting in over 400 casualties.

April
• The U.S. deployed 22,000 troops to the Dominican Republic to suppress a rebellion and prevent the return of President Juan Bosch.
• The world’s first nuclear-powered space reactor was launched by the U.S.
• The Battle of Dong-Yin saw conflict between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.

May
• A coal mining disaster in Dhanbad, India, claimed 274 lives.

June
• Astronaut Ed White became the first American to walk in space.
• Queen Elizabeth II announced that The Beatles would be awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), sparking controversy among war veterans.
• A coal mine explosion in Fukuoka, Japan, resulted in 237 deaths.
• A mining accident in Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, caused 128 fatalities.
• A coup d’état in Algeria reshaped the nation’s political landscape.

July
• NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft transmitted the first close-up images of Mars.
• The U.S. mandated health warnings on cigarette packaging.
• The Maldives declared independence from Great Britain.
• Britain banned cigarette advertising on television.

August
• The Cook Islands became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.
• The Second Indo-Pakistani War erupted over Kashmir, resulting in a stalemate by September.
• Singapore gained independence from Malaysia.
• In Soviet Armenia, public demonstrations led to the construction of a genocide memorial in Yerevan.
• Racial unrest in Los Angeles, following the arrest of Marquette Frye, led to six days of riots, 34 deaths, and $40 million in damages.
• An avalanche in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, claimed 90 lives.

September
• In Indonesia, a failed coup by military officers led to the rise of General Suharto and significant political upheaval.
• A coup attempt in Iraq by Prime Minister Arif Abd ar-Razzaq was thwarted.
• Pakistan’s victory in the Battle of Chawinda stabilized the Sialkot front in the largest tank battle since World War II.
• A volcanic eruption on Mount Taal in the Philippines caused hundreds of deaths.

October
• Pope Paul VI became the first pope to visit the United States, where he issued a decree absolving Jews of collective blame for the death of Jesus.

November
• A massive blackout affected 30 million people across eastern North America, marking the largest power outage in history.
• Rhodesia, led by Ian Smith, declared unilateral independence from Britain.
• France became the third nation to launch a satellite into space with the successful orbit of Astérix-1.

December
• Ferdinand Marcos was elected President of the Philippines, initiating a 20-year period of authoritarian rule.
• A military coup in Dahomey (modern-day Benin) disrupted the nation’s governance.
• Aborigines in Queensland, Australia, were granted the right to vote.

A Symbol of Transformation

In closing, it is worth reflecting on the symbolic nature of the Snake, which represents healing and renewal. Unlike the Dragon, which often heralds dramatic shifts, the Snake offers a quieter, more introspective path to change.

As we navigate the complexities of 2025, this symbol invites us to embrace inner transformation and resilience. With patience and perseverance, these qualities may pave the way for brighter horizons in 2026 and beyond.

By Shan-Tung Hsu, Taras Lytvyn