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Celebrate the Year of the Snake 2025 with papercutting snake on red floral background, the Chinese stamp means snake © exxorian

CHINESE NEW YEAR

2025 Chinese New Year Guide: What colors and accessories you should wear for good luck

Chinese New Year begins January 29


Jovita Trujillo
Jovita Trujillo - Los Angeles
Senior WriterLos Angeles
JANUARY 3, 2025 3:41 PM EST

It's officially 2025, according to the Gregorian New Year. While many turn to Western astrology, Chinese astrology offers a rich cultural perspective with its own wisdom and guidance, and the Chinese New Year is soon to come. Based on the lunar calendar, and changing each year, in 2025, the Chinese New Year begins on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Wood-Snake.

Welcome the Year of the Snake with this elegant and symbolic vector illustration background. Designed with intricate patterns and flowing lines, this background showcases a beautifully stylized snake, symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and transformation in Chinese culture. Perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations, cultural events, and festive greetings, this background adds a touch of sophistication and tradition.

The design features rich colors and subtle details, such as floral  patterns and Chinese-inspired motifs, creating a harmonious and auspicious atmosphere. The scalable vector format makes it ideal for use in digital banners, invitations, posters, and more, ensuring crisp, clear details at any size. Embrace the elegance and mystique of the snake with this captivating Year of the Snake illustration.© Getty

The Year of the Wood Snake runs from January 29, 2025, to February 16, 2026. The Snake, the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes traits like intuition and strategy. With the influence of the Wood element, 2025 emphasizes growth and planning. 

Animals represent 12 signs in the Chinese Zodiac, and some signs, according to the South China Morning Post can expect more luck and challenges than others. But, we can all increase our luck by wearing a certain color, or stone. Find your sign below and determine what color you should pull from your closet. 

How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year assigned to an animal. Use the chart below to match your birth year with the corresponding zodiac sign. Chinese New Year’s date changes annually, so if you were born in January or February, check if your birthdate falls before or after the Chinese New Year of your birth year.

Zodiac Chart:

  • Rat: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
  • Ox: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
  • Tiger: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
  • Rabbit: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
  • Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
  • Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
  • Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
  • Goat: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
  • Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
  • Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
  • Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
  • Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

What color to wear:

  • Rat: White (lucky color), Platinum accessories
  • Ox: Brown (lucky color)
  • Tiger: Gold (lucky color), Golden accessories
  • Rabbit: Silver (lucky color), Silver accessories
  • Dragon: Yellow (lucky color), Yellow crystals
  • Snake: Blue (lucky color) Sapphire (lucky gem)
  • Horse: Grey (lucky color), Obsidian (lucky stone)
  • Goat (or Sheep): Khaki (lucky color), Amber accessories
  • Monkey: Red (lucky color), Ruby accessories
  • Rooster: Purple (lucky color), Amethyst (lucky stone)
  • Dog: Green (lucky color), Jade (lucky accessory)
  • Pig: Pink (lucky color), Rose Quartz (lucky stone)

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