The Chinese Lunar New Year in 2025, which begins on January 29, marks the start of the Year of the Snake. This year is particularly significant as it brings with it the energy of the Yin-Wood Snake, symbolising growth, endurance, and transformation. The Snake, the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, is associated with wisdom, intuition, and mystery, making 2025 a year of introspection and personal growth.
Myth and Legend
The legend of the Chinese zodiac tells of a Great Race organised by the Jade Emperor to determine the order of the animals in the zodiac cycle. The Snake, known for its cleverness, coiled around the Horse’s hoof and managed to cross the finish line just before the Horse, securing its place as the sixth animal. This story highlights the Snake’s strategic and cunning nature.
Another popular myth associated with the Lunar New Year is the story of Nian, a fearsome beast that would terrorise villages every New Year’s Eve. The villagers discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises and the colour red, leading to the traditions of setting off firecrackers and decorating homes with red lanterns and couplets to ward off evil spirits.
Traditions and Celebrations
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, feasting, and various cultural traditions. Preparations begin weeks in advance with thorough house cleaning to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. Homes are decorated with red items, symbolising happiness and prosperity.
On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner, which is the most important meal of the year. This feast includes dishes with symbolic meanings, such as fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth, and noodles for longevity. In northern China, dumplings are a staple, while in the south, sticky rice cakes (Nian Gao) are essential, symbolising rising fortunes.
The first few days of the New Year are spent visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts, and giving red envelopes (Hong Bao) filled with money to children and unmarried adults. These red envelopes are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Herbs and Foods
Food plays a central role in the Lunar New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying its own symbolism. Some of the traditional foods include:
- Fish (Yu): The word for fish sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, symbolising abundance and prosperity. It is often served whole to represent unity and completeness.
- Dumplings (Jiaozi): Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, dumplings symbolise wealth and prosperity. They are usually filled with meat and vegetables and are a must-have during the New Year.
- Noodles: Long noodles represent longevity and are often served uncut to censure a long life.
- Nian Gao (Sticky Rice Cake): This sweet treat symbolises progress and growth, as its name sounds like “year high” in Chinese.
- Spring Rolls:These golden, crispy rolls symbolise wealth and are often enjoyed during the New Year.
Herbs also play a role in the celebrations, particularly those believed to bring health and good fortune. Some commonly used herbs include:
- Ginger: Known for its warming properties, ginger is used in many dishes to promote good health and digestion.
- Garlic: Symbolising protection and strength, garlic is a staple in many New Year dishes.
- Cinnamon: Often used in sweet dishes, cinnamon is believed to bring warmth and prosperity.
Symbolism of the Snake
The Snake is a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be intelligent, graceful, and highly perceptive. They are known for their strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex situations with ease.
In 2025, the Yin-Wood element adds another layer of meaning to the Year of the Snake. Yin-Wood is associated with growth, flexibility, and resilience, much like grass or vines that can thrive in various conditions. This combination suggests a year of personal growth, adaptability, and the potential for significant transformation.
For those born in the Year of the Snake, 2025 is their Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac year, which is traditionally considered to bring challenges and bad luck. To mitigate this, it is customary for Snakes to wear red clothing and accessories, as red is believed to ward off misfortune.
Conclusion
The Year of the Snake in 2025 promises to be a time of introspection, growth, and transformation. Rooted in rich traditions and cultural practices, the Lunar New Year celebrations offer a chance to honour the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future with hope and optimism. Whether through the symbolic foods enjoyed during the reunion dinner, the vibrant red decorations that adorn homes, or the ancient myths that continue to inspire, the Year of the Snake invites us all to reflect on our journeys and strive for wisdom and grace in the year ahead.
FAQs
1.What is the Chinese New Year animal in 2025?
2025 is the year of the Snake. – This “animal” represents wisdom, intuition and transformation.
2.What is the theme of Chinese New Year 2025?
The year of the Snake symbolises wisdom, transformation and intuition but is enhanced by the element of wood which governs 2025. The Wood element amplifies these traits as it symbolises creativity, flexibility and personal growth.
3.What is the Chinese Colour for 2025?
The two colours for 2025 are emerald green and carmine red. These colours are taken from the interaction between the wood and fire elements.
This year is the Year of the Green Wood Snake.