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Lisa Cam

From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series.
What does 2025’s coming Year of the Snake have in store for those born in the Year of the Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
Lucky colour: brown; lucky element: diamonds; lucky number 5
The Ox gets along well with the tai sui, or guardian deity, this year, which means work and career will be smooth sailing for those under this sign, especially those in creative industries.

For any Oxen who have felt like switching jobs to look for better opportunities, this is the year to take action.
Under an auspicious star, they will be recognised by their colleagues and peers for their work and will feel they are operating head and shoulders above everyone.
However, the auspicious star brings with it pride, which can be easily mistaken for arrogance, and an unlucky star that embodies a lot of female energy may mean they will be the target of malicious gossip.
If this causes difficulties, the Ox will have a benefactor this year in the form of the tai sui who will help them out.


Wealth and career
Overall fortune is good, and money will come easily to Oxen.
Because of growth in networking and relationships thanks to the tai sui, friends may seek them out for joint projects or business and investment opportunities; they should actively pursue these after doing their due diligence.
People born in the Year of the Rooster or Rat will be particularly suited for these joint ventures.
Self-employed Oxen will have a bumper year, while jobholders will receive a promotion, pay rise or significant bonus this year.
Given that this is a very prosperous year for Oxen, it would be wise to use the chance to start financial planning, if they have not already done so, to make this money work for them in the future.

Love and relationships
Thanks to the power of the guardian deity, those born in the Year of the Ox will be lucky in love this year. Single women should seek out social events such as class reunions and work gatherings to expand their personal social circles.
Oxen looking for women will be attracted to those with wild and strong personalities, and should consider that before committing to a long-term relationship.
Married Oxen will be prone to relationship problems this year. The flipside of their career boost is that Oxen will be out late for work or networking and will have little time to spend with their significant other.
Oxen will feel isolated and might start being suspicious of their partner. Trust is an important element in any relationship and Oxen must remind themselves of that.

Health and home
This is a year of relatively good health and any problems that were bothering Oxen in the previous year can be put behind them.
However, those born in spring and summer are likely to suffer from diseases of the eyes, heart, blood, blood vessels and skin this year. They can go to hospital for a detailed physical examination at the end of the Year of the Dragon, just in case.
Those born in autumn and winter have relatively good health and luck, but, under the influence of an evil star, they may be bitten by animals. Just remember to be extra careful around wild or feral animals and check with the owners of pets before approaching them.
Are your loved ones in luck this year? See our predictions for all the zodiac signs in the Year of the Snake.


What is prosperity toss salad, popular at Chinese New Year in Singapore and Malaysia?

From Trump stamps to animal carvings, stone seal maker keeps an ancient Chinese art alive

How ‘snake’ entered the English language and what Singaporeans mean by ‘eat snake’

How China’s ‘cultural confidence’ push is sparking the revival of traditional crafts

Chinese culture

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Ox birth sign, from lucky colour to wealth, health

How will Tigers fare in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, people born in an Ox year can expect good luck at work and home, according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In the Year of the Snake, brown is the lucky colour for people born in the Year of the Ox, as seen in this dress by Self-Portrait, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

People born in the Year of the Ox will have a fairly smooth time in the Year of the Snake. Illustration. Illustration Victor Sanjinez

People born in the Year of the Ox will enjoy relatively good health in the Year of the Snake, but an evil star means those born in the latter part of the year risk being bitten by animals. Photo: Elson Li

Year of the Snake predictions for Pigs, from love and health to career and wealth

Pigs oppose the ‘tai sui’ (guardian deity) this year and may face bad luck, but there are ways to improve your prospects. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Travel should be in the plans of Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, to avoid the effects of some inauspicious stars according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration; Victor Sanjinez

Pink is the lucky colour for Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this dress by Zimmermann, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Married couples may be prone to constant arguments with each other, and should start or expand their family. Photo: Shutterstock

Pigs should engage in some light renovation or replace old furniture to refresh the energy at home. Photo: Shutterstock

How Monkeys can survive Year of the Snake when their zodiac clashes with guardian deity

The Lantern Festival in Yu Garden, Shanghai, during the last Year of the Monkey in 2016. The zodiac sign clashes with the guardian deity in the coming Year of the Snake, spelling big trouble. Find out how to head it off. Photo: Shutterstock

Boys dressed as monkeys join a Chinese new year parade in Paris, France. Monkeys need to watch their backs and make the right moves in the Year of the Snake, an inauspicious one. Photo: Shutterstock

The Monkey is one of four zodiac signs in conflict with the guardian deity in the Year of the Snake. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

An evil star makes Monkeys prone to emotional upheaval in the Year of the Snake. Personal relationships will suffer. To counter this, listen actively to your partner and share your thoughts with them. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Tigers should take precautions in Year of the Snake with conflict in the stars

A tiger bestrides Shanghai’s Yuuan Garden during the Lantern Festival in 2022. Tigers in the Year of the Snake face strife on the health and home fronts, but can take steps to mitigate their bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Tigers are in conflict with the guardian deity in the Year of the Snake, affecting their health and home life especially. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The conflict with the guardian deity will negatively affect Tigers’ relationships at work this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Single Tigers will unlucky in love in the Year of the Snake because of their clash with the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for 12 zodiac signs. How is your health, luck, wealth?

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha predicts the varying fortunes of people born under the 12 Chinese zodiac signs in the coming Year of the Snake. Illustrations: Victor Sanjinez

Lifestyle

Chinese Zodiac

Year of the Snake 2025: predictions, facts, myths and feng shui

The root words of the English snake and serpent mean “a creeping thing”, and most sayings that incorporate snake have a negative meaning, including the Singapore English “eat snake”. Photo: Shutterstock

The Slytherin logo is seen on cups in the store of a touring Harry exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

A 16th century Flemish engraving depicts men setting fire to undergrowth in which snakes are trapped. Photo: Getty Images

A banded krait, a snake native to Hong Kong. The name krait is borrowed from Hindi. Photo: Shutterstock

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac? Snakes have 3; how to find success with them

Tigers are one of the Snake’s three “enemy signs” in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake and Tiger can be a challenging combination in both love and business, with relationships often full of conflict. Photo: Shutterstock

The Year of the Snake 2025 is not predicted to be a good one for Snakes, according to Chinese geomancy, who will experience unstable luck and relationship challenges. Photo: Shutterstock

Monkeys have a difficult time cooperating with Snakes in professional settings. Photo: Shutterstock

The relationship between Snakes and Pigs is considered one of the most challenging in the Chinese zodiac. Photo: Shutterstock

In Year of the Snake 2025, is bad luck predicted for you? 5 ways to change your fortunes

Every year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, some zodiac signs clash with the guardian deity, bringing bad luck to people born under those signs. But there are things they can do to improve their luck. Photo: Getty Images

Chinese people like to learn their future by visiting a fortune-teller. If bad luck awaits some in the Year of the Snake, there are steps they can take to improve their prospects. Photo: Shutterstock

Performing a ritual at a temple that grants you a protective talisman is one way to mitigate bad luck resulting from a clash between your zodiac sign and the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Women’s red underwear. Wearing red undergarments is believed to improve luck. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing an amulet of another zodiac sign can ward off bad luck. In the Year of the Snake, a rooster amulet will help those born in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Rats, from lucky colour to health and wealth

In the coming Year of the Snake, white is the lucky colour for people born in Year of the Rat. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, people born in a Year of the Rat can expect good health but risks to their wealth. What else awaits them according to Chinese geomancy? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

White is the lucky colour for Rats in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this White jumpsuit by Galvan, availabel from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Those born under the sign of the Rat have strong luck in love. Photo: Shutterstock

It is time to start focusing on well-being and dropping bad lifestyle habits. Photo: Shutterstock

How Hong Kong Lunar New Year lai see red packet designs blend tradition and innovation

Lai see envelopes created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet. Its founder explains how it balances tradition and modernity in its designs for them. Photo: Kylie Knott

Malou Ko is the founder of Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet, which has created lai see envelopes for corporate clients. Photo: Kylie Knott

The Cabinet designed red packets in 2020 for the Sheraton hotel chain that included the brand’s logo. Brand alignment is important, says The Cabinet’s founder Malou Ko. Photo: The Cabinet

A lai see packet created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet that was inspired by the boxes containing oranges that are sold in supermarkets at Lunar New Year. Photo: The Cabinet

The Cabinet designed lai see packets in 2023 for Hong Kong lifestyle brand Yuu including a scratch-off section that revealed a discount code for various retailers in the city. Photo: The Cabinet

An evergreen lai see packet with lanterns from The Lion Rock Press can be used every year. Photo: The Lion Rock Press

Why Chinese give red packets at Lunar New Year and the rise of digital versions

The red colour of lai see symbolises good luck and prosperity, and the amount of money inside usually ends in an even number, which is considered more auspicious. Photo: Shutterstock

Sending digital red packets is becoming more popular in China. Photo: Shutterstock

WeChat was the first company to launch a digital red packet function. Photo: WeChat 

Many people still prefer to send paper red packets rather than digital ones because of the cultural significance. Photo: Shutterstock

Food mistakes to avoid over Lunar New Year holiday, from eating congee to chopping chicken

People in Chengdu, southwest China, enjoy a Lunar New Year feast. There are auspicious foods to eat during the festival, and others you should avoid if you want good fortune in the new lunar year. Photo: Getty Images

Congee’s association with thriftiness and poverty makes it an inauspicious food to eat during Chinese new year celebrations. Photo: Shutterstock

According to Buddhist principles, diners should avoid eating meat on the first and 15th days of the Lunar New Year holiday, so the barbecued pork this woman is eating with a bowl of noodles would be a no-no. Photo: Shutterstock

Do not chop meat on Lunar New Year’s day. According to Chinese tradition, using sharp objects then symbolises cutting the thread of good luck for the year ahead. Photo: Shutterstock

A plump whole fish is a common sight on dining tables over Lunar New Year. Tradition-minded diners will leave the head and tail untouched so they will always have enough to eat in the coming lunar year. Photo: Shutterstock

Whether you use a bucket or other receptacle to store rice, make sure it is full to the brim at Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock

Why there are fewer babies born in the Year of the Snake, and what it means

A family where the lucky colour red for Lunar New Year. Fewer babies are born in the Year of the Snake, with many parents believing they will be unlucky. Photo: Shutterstock

A lighting installation at Beijing’s Wenyuhe Park to welcome the coming Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

A serpent-shaped light installation in Nanjing, Jiangsu, eastern China to mark the Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

Why Year of the Snake is cursed for Snakes, and how to appease deities to avoid bad luck

The Year of the Snake is bad for Snakes. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing red during the year of the Chinese zodiac sign you were born under is one of the ways to prevent bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

A guardian deity inside of a Chinese temple. According to Chinese geomancy, those born in the Year of the Snake may face misfortune this coming year. Photo: Getty Images

Some set up a shrine at home dedicated to the tai sui to ask for forgiveness and protection against bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Naga, the King of Serpents, is widely worshipped, especially in Southeast Asia. He represents both good and evil. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing jade jewellery can be another way to prevent misfortune during your ben ming nian, as the stone is believed to bring longevity, and have mystical powers. Photo: Shutterstock

Positioning is key when reorganising your home to bring good fortune. It pays to consult a feng shui expert before doing so. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Dogs, from lucky colour to money and romance

The Year of the Snake will bring good luck for Dogs. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, Dogs can expect good financial and romantic luck according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez 

The lucky colour for Dogs in 2025’s Year of the Snake is green, as seen in this dress by Faithfull, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Why do people born in the Year of the Snake make good lovers, friends and colleagues?

People born in the Year of the Snake are caring friends – once you break the ice. They are also romantic lovers and also one of the best colleagues to have in a crisis. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha at her office in San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The independent Snake is very good at networking, Tong says. Photo: Jonathan Wong

People who are born in the Year of the Snake are very enterprising. Illustration: Adolfo Arranz

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Monkeys, from lucky colour to a big career boost

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, Monkeys can expect career advancements, according to Chinese geomancy, but trouble on some fronts. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The Monkey’s lucky colour for 2025’s Year of the Snake is red, as seen in this Solace London dress available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Those born in the Year of the Monkey will enjoy a lot of career development this year. Photo: Shutterstock

This year, married Monkeys will be affected by a menacing star that will leave them prone to emotional changes. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why the Year of the Wood Snake starting in 2025 could bring major change, and more luck

A snake at a farm in Bangkok, Thailand. The next lunar new year will be a Year of the Wood Snake, which comes around every 60 years. The previous one, in 1965, saw dynamic change and upheaval. Are we in for more of the same? Photo: Getty Images

Snakes made of palm leaves are displayed in Shanghai to celebrate the previous Year of the Snake in 2013. Photo: Getty Images

Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, people line up to vote, most for the first time, in Alabama in the US in 1966. Photo: Getty Images

Angry depositors protest and clash with police outside the office of the chairman of the Canton Trust and Commercial Bank in 1965, the previous Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Photo: Chan Kiu

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Sheep, unlucky in love but money prospects good

Things will go well for Sheep who are married or in a stable relationship in the Year of the Snake. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

How lucky will Sheep be in 2025’s Year of the Snake? Find out. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The lucky colour for Sheep in the Year of the Snake is khaki, as seen in this dress by Isabel Marant available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Sheep will need to be prepared if they are thinking about switching careers, changing jobs or starting a business. Photo: Shutterstock

Things will go well for Sheep who are married or in a stable relationship. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

10 snake-themed Chinese-language movies that charm us, from erotica to horror to animation

A still from Anaconda (2024), one of our picks of the best Chinese snake movies.

A still from White Snake (2019), one of 10 Chinese-language films featuring snakes that we think make perfect viewing with the Year of the Snake coming.

A promotional poster for The Snake Girl (1974).

A promotional poster for Snake Beauty (1994).

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Roosters, from lucky colour to lots of wealth, love

According to Chinese geomancy, Roosters can expect easy money in 2025’s Year of the Snake. Find out what is in store for them on the health, wealth and romance fronts. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Roosters’ lucky colour for 2025’s Year of Snake is purple, as seen in this Solace London dress from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

With the help of the tai sui, this will be a healthy year for Roosters. Photo: Shutterstock

7 snake idioms to ring in the Year of the Snake, including one about being two-faced

Why would legs drawn on a snake mean something is ruined? What does a bow’s shadow have to do with reptiles? Seven snake idioms and their meanings. Photo: Shutterstock

One idiom refers to drawing legs on a snake – in other words, making unnecessary changes to something. Snakes do not have legs. Those are called lizards (pictured: an iguana). Photo: Shutterstock

A snake and dragon statuette with Chinese coins and a pyramid. One idiom referring to snakes and dragons is used in association with spaces where both good and bad people can be found. Photo: Shutterstock

A golden Buddha statue in Thailand. A Chinese idiom refers to a person who has the words of the Buddha but the intention of a snake. Photo: Getty Images

An illustration of a giant snake killing an elephant, similar to a Chinese idiom that describes a snake trying to swallow an elephant – meaning a person who is never content. Photo: YouTube

An idiom that refer to being scared of rope after being bitten by a snake is like the English proverb “once bitten, twice shy”. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Horses, including lucky colour and love prospects

The Year of the Snake will be an auspicious one for Horses. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The Year of the Snake will bring good luck in love for Horses, with single ones poised to find their perfect match. Photo: Shutterstock

Horses’ lucky colour in the Year of the Snake is grey. Our model wears a Marant Etoile grey dress c/o Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

It’s going to be a good year financially for Horses, who will benefit from a clear mind and quick thinking. Take advantage of this to get that pay rise or promotion. Photo: Shutterstock

The love lives of Horses will be spectacular this year, especially for women. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

8 celebrities born in the Year of the Snake, from Taylor Swift to J.K. Rowling to Psy

Taylor Swift during a concert in Singapore as part of The Eras Tour. The singer is among a number of celebrities born in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey at a campaign rally for US Vice-President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia in 2024. Photo: AP

Chris Martin of British rock band Coldplay on stage at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria in 2024. Photo: AFP

Author J.K. Rowling at an HBO series premiere in New York in 2019. Photo: AFP

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Ox birth sign, from lucky colour to wealth, health

People born in the Year of the Ox will be lucky at work and generally healthy in the new year, but there may be relationship problems ahead