Year of the Snake: personality, birth years and matches
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Quick answer: If you were born in a Snake year, your year branch is Si (巳), a yin Fire branch. Tradition describes Snake people as calm and thoughtful; reads people and situations deeply. The Snake pairs well with the Monkey (six combination) and with the Rooster and Ox (three combination), and clashes with the Pig. The zodiac uses only your birth year, though; your full chart says much more.
What Si means
The twelve zodiac animals match the twelve Earthly Branches. Being a Snake means your birth year's branch is Si (巳). Si stands for early summer in the year and the 09:00–11:00 double hour in the day.
Personality traits
- Strengths: Calm and thoughtful; reads people and situations deeply.
- Watch for: Guarded and slow to trust.
These are long-standing traditional associations. People born in the same year differ a lot, so take them lightly.
Birth years
Snake years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025. The sign changes at the Start of Spring (around February 4), not at Chinese New Year. If your birthday is in January or early February, check whether the Start of Spring had already passed. If not, you belong to the previous year's sign.
Matches and clashes
- Six combination: Si with Shen, the Snake and the Monkey.
- Three combination: Si, You and Chou form a Metal group: the Snake, the Rooster and the Ox.
- Clash: Si with Hai, the Snake and the Pig.
- Harm: Si with Yin, the Snake and the Tiger.
A clash or harm does not mean two people can't get along. It only means their rhythms and habits differ and need more give and take.
Zodiac sign vs. BaZi chart
A BaZi chart has four pillars (year, month, day, hour) and eight characters. Your zodiac sign is just the branch of the year pillar. For personality and relationships, the day pillar (especially the Day Master) and the overall balance of elements matter more. For a closer look, make a BaZi chart or compare two people with a compatibility reading.
The Snake in 2027
2027 is a Ding Wei (Fire Goat) year. For the Snake: Si and Wei share the hot southern quarter—pace yourself. See the 2027 forecast for more.
FAQ
I was born in January 2013. Am I a Snake?
Not necessarily. In January 2013 the Start of Spring had not yet arrived, so by tradition you belong to the previous sign, the Dragon. If you were born around February 4, check the exact time of that year's Start of Spring.
Can a Snake and a Pig be together?
Yes. A clash only means your rhythms differ a lot, and handled well that can be complementary. What really matters is both full charts and what each person needs.
What should a Snake watch for in their own zodiac year?
Your own zodiac year is when the year branch matches your sign. It is not a bad-luck year. Treat it as a time to look back, tidy up and reset direction.
Keep reading
- Year of the Rat: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Ox: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Tiger: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Rabbit: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Dragon: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Horse: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Goat: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Monkey: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Rooster: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Dog: personality, birth years and matches
- Year of the Pig: personality, birth years and matches