Snake slithers in to replace dragon

Snake slithers in to replace dragon
Agence France Presse

JAN 21: The Chinese world is preparing to usher in the Year of the Snake, but the slippery reptile suffers from living in the shadow of the much-coveted dragon and holds out little prospect of good fortune.

The current Year of the Dragon, the most lively year in Chinese astrology, was greeted with much fanfare last year and many couples deliberately planned dragon babies. The snake promises to be much more low-key.

Mainland Chinese will have a seven-day official holiday, while students have a nearly month-long winter vacation.

According to Chinese astrology, each Lunar New Year corresponds with a cycle of 12 animals with the Year of the Snake arriving on January 2, when Chinese begin celebrating their most important festival.

A complex Chinese system of astrology is not only about the 12 animals, but includes a tradition-rich body of work-based on a 60-year cycle for counting and classifying the years which is reflected in the "10 Heaven Stems, the 12 Earthly Branches and the 12 Animals."