Unraveling the Mystery: Why the Snake is in the Chinese Zodiac

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Chinese zodiac consists of twelve animals, each representing different personality traits, and the Snake is one of the most intriguing and mysterious animals in this cycle. But why is the Snake included? Let's unravel the mystery.

Ancient Mythology

The Snake's inclusion in the Chinese zodiac can be traced back to ancient Chinese mythology. According to one popular legend, the Jade Emperor hosted a race to determine the order of the zodiac animals. The Snake, although not as fast as other animals, cleverly rode on the back of the Horse. Just as the Horse was about to cross the finish line, the Snake slithered ahead, ensuring its place in the zodiac.

Symbolism of the Snake

In Chinese culture, the Snake represents wisdom智慧(zhì huì), intuition直觉（zhí jué）, and mystery. The snake’s ability to shed its skin symbolizes renewal and transformation, making it an important symbol for change and growth. This symbolism is one reason why the Snake has remained a significant figure in the zodiac.

智慧, noun, wisdom

  1. The Snake is often associated with wisdom.

    蛇常常与智慧相关联。

    shé cháng cháng yǔ zhì huì xiāng guān lián.
  2. Wisdom is a key trait of those born in the Year of the Snake.

    在蛇年出生的人通常拥有智慧。
    
zài shé nián chū shēng de rén tōng cháng yōng yǒu zhì huì.

直觉, noun, intuition

  1. The Snake is known for its strong intuition.

    蛇以其强大的直觉而闻名。
    
shé yǐ qí qiáng dà de zhí jué ér wén míng.
  2. People born under the Snake sign often trust their intuition.

    属蛇的人常常相信自己的直觉。

    shǔ shé de rén cháng cháng xiāng xìn zì jǐ de zhí jué.

The Snake’s Personality

Those born in the Year of the Snake are often seen as enigmatic, graceful, and intelligent. While they may appear reserved, they are deep thinkers who are always planning their next move. The Snake’s quiet confidence and elegance优雅(yōu yǎ) make them naturally attractive and successful.

优雅, noun, elegance

  1. Snakes are considered graceful and elegant.

    蛇被认为是优雅的。
    
shé bèi rèn wéi shì yōu yǎ de.
  2. People born in the Year of the Snake often exude elegance.

    蛇年出生的人通常散发出优雅的气质。
    
shé nián chū shēng de rén tōng cháng sàn fā chū yōu yǎ de qì zhì.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
As a first - time student, if you are not completely satisfied with our service, we offer a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel your subscription before the first month. In such cases, we only charge a one - month fee and refund the remaining balance to you as soon as possible.We strive to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with our service and are committed to providing a hassle - free refund process.
Our students come from a wide range of ages, from 3 years old to over 80 years old. Our courses are tailored to each student's age and proficiency level to ensure they can receive maximum benefit and progress. Whether you want to learn Chinese as a second language or improve your existing Chinese skills, we can provide you with courses and resources that are suitable for you
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.
We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
At Chinese Learning, protecting our customers' personal information is a top priority. We have implemented robust security measures to safeguard your data and prevent any unauthorized access or disclosure. For further information on our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy, which outlines our commitment to data protection and privacy.