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

Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.
We offer secure and convenient payment options, including PayPal. PayPal is a widely recognized and trusted online payment platform that provides a secure way to make transactions. We also follow industry-standard security protocols to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
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.
Our teaching methodology is centered around our students and their individual learning objectives.We provide personalized learning plans, innovative and flexible teaching materials and methods, and strive to make learning Chinese a joyful and enjoyable experience.Our approach is designed to engage students and foster a deep understanding of the Chinese language, culture, and customs. We believe that learning should be fun and meaningful, and we work hard to ensure that every student enjoys their Chinese language learning journey with us.
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.