Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Acknowledgment: The animation clips in the video are from the film “White Snake: The Origin” and the video “Nuwa” at: https://b23.tv/qJRDDT9

The Chinese New Year 2025 will fall on Wednesday, 29 January 2025. To celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake (Chinese: 木蛇年; Pinyin: mù shé nián), Our Chinese language teachers have created a video to introduce the cultural richness and symbolism of the snake. This presentation explores famous myths and legends, including stories of the White Snake (Chinese:白蛇; Pinyin: bái shé), Nuwa (Chinese:女娲; Pinyin: nǔ wā), and Shennong (Chinese: 神农氏; Pinyin: shén nóng shì). These tales highlight the fascinating role of snakes in Chinese mythology.

Often affectionately called as "little dragon" (Chinese:小龙; Pinyin: xiǎo lóng), the snake follows the dragon and precedes the horse in the Chinese zodiac. It is said that the dragon, the ultimate totem of Chinese nation, in fact originates from the snake. It is believed that the dragon’s elegant body was inspired by the snake’s form. Past snake years include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and now, 2025.

In Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation whilst wood is associated with growth, resilience, and inclusiveness. People born in the Year of the Wood Snake are said to possess remarkable courage, perseverance, and a proactive mindset. Even when facing challenges, they remain driven and confident, embodying the essence of the snake’s adaptability and strength.

A unique tradition for the Year of the Wood Snake is dressing children and the elderly in red. This vibrant colour symbolizes hope and blessings for children to grow up happy and for seniors to enjoy health and longevity.

Let us embrace the wisdom, resilience, and vitality that the Wood Snake with bring. May the new year bless us with growth, prosperity, and harmony.

Happy 2025! Happy the Year of the Wood Snake!