As the Spring Festival ushers in the Year of the snake, China is alive with vibrant celebrations, marking the frist time the festival has been celebrated since its addition to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage in December 2024. This recognition has amplified the festive spirit, with decorations and traditions taking on a renewed significance. From pythons coiled around gold ingots to whimsical serpents with chubby faces and fluffy bodies, the snake is everywhere, symbolizing renewal, longevity, and health in Chinese culture.
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, officially began on January 28, 2025, with the Year of the Snake bringing a unique twist: it’s a leap year in the Chinese lunar calendar, making it a super-long year with 384 days. This extended calendar has also led to an additional day being added to the customary seven-day holiday, giving families more time to celebrate.
The Snake’s Cultural Significance
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Snakes, among the oldest creatures on Earth, have played significant roles in cultures worldwide. In Chinese literary tradition, the snake is a powerful symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation, often associated with the shedding of its skin. This year, the snake is shaking off its negative connotations and taking on a more auspicious role in the festivities.
In Western culture, snakes are often linked to temptation and sin, famously represented by the serpent in the Bible. However, they also symbolize medicine and healing, as seen in the emblem of the World Health Organization, which traces its imagery back to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing.
In Chinese mythology, snakes are revered as divine beings. Figures like Fuxi and Nuwa, the mythological progenitors of the Chinese people, are often depicted as half-human, half-snake, highlighting their sacred status.
Festive Highlights
Across China, the Spring Festival is celebrated with a variety of traditions and events. In Longxi County of Dingxi City, northwest China’s Gansu Province, tourists enjoyed a stunning handmade lantern show on January 22, 2025. Simultaneously occurring, in boshan district of Zibo City, east China’s shandong Province, customers flocked to purchase colorful glaze crafts themed on the Year of the Snake.
The Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, showcased a bronze snake, further emphasizing the cultural importance of this zodiac animal.
Key Facts About the year of the Snake
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Zodiac Position | Sixth in the 12-animal rotation, following the loong and preceding the horse. |
| Symbolism | Renewal, longevity, health, and rebirth. |
| Leap Year | 384 days in the Chinese lunar calendar.|
| Festival Extension | Traditional seven-day holiday extended by one additional day. |
The Spring Festival’s inclusion in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list has not only elevated its global recognition but also deepened its cultural significance for the Chinese people. As the Year of the Snake unfolds, it brings with it a renewed appreciation for tradition, symbolism, and the enduring power of cultural heritage.
For more insights into the Spring Festival and its UNESCO recognition, explore the detailed coverage on Global Times and China SCIO.
The Modern Significance of Snakes in Chinese Culture and Medicine
Snakes have long held a unique place in Chinese culture, symbolizing renewal, longevity, and health. Historically, their skin and gall have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments and promote vitality. Today, while snake hunting has declined due to stricter wildlife protection laws, snake farming for medicinal purposes continues to thrive, especially in regions like Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
In 2022, Guangxi established a medicinal snake professional committee to regulate the industry, which now includes around 200 snake farms. These farms cater to the folk traditions of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, where medicinal snakes are believed to strengthen bones, ease rheumatism, promote circulation, and alleviate skin disorders.
snakes in Art and Tradition
The Spring Festival has inspired designers, folk artists, and cultural heritage inheritors to incorporate snake motifs into their creations. Luo Huaqing, an inheritor of the Mulam ethnic group’s paper-cutting tradition, has been at the forefront of this trend. Based in Luocheng Mulam Autonomous county, Guangxi, Luo’s craft is celebrated for its simplicity, rustic beauty, and ethnic uniqueness.
Though, snakes are not traditionally associated with auspicious meanings in Mulam paper-cutting. ”Unlike dragons, phoenixes, pomegranates, or fish, snakes are generally not linked to good fortune,” Luo explained. To meet modern tastes, she has innovated her designs by integrating snake scales with patterns resembling gold coins and the Chinese character “Fu,” symbolizing prosperity and happiness.
“By integrating symbols of prosperity and good luck, these innovative snake-themed paper-cutting designs have gained significant popularity in the market during the New Year,” luo added.
Snakes in Chinese Folklore and Pop Culture
In Chinese literary tradition,the snake’s shedding of its skin is seen as a powerful symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation. Some historians even beleive the Chinese dragon, or “loong,” is based on snake imagery, which is why snakes are often referred to as “lesser dragons.”
The snake’s portrayal in Chinese pop culture is mixed. In the 1986-1987 animation “Calabash Brothers,” a household snake appears as a vicious yaoguai (demon). Conversely, the “White Lady,” a snake who transforms into a woman and marries a doctor, is a beloved figure in Chinese folklore. In various adaptations, the White Lady and her human husband save lives during a deadly plague, only to be separated by a Buddhist monk.
Key insights
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Medicinal Use | Snake skin and gall used in traditional Chinese medicine for health benefits. |
| Snake Farming | Around 200 snake farms in Guangxi,regulated by a professional committee. |
| Cultural Symbolism | Snakes symbolize renewal, longevity, and health in Chinese tradition. |
| Artistic Innovation | Luo Huaqing integrates snake motifs with symbols of prosperity in paper-cutting. |
| Folklore | Mixed portrayals in pop culture, from yaoguai to the benevolent White Lady. |
Conclusion
From their medicinal uses to their symbolic significance in art and folklore, snakes continue to play a vital role in Chinese culture. As modern innovations blend with traditional practices, the snake’s image evolves, offering fresh perspectives on this ancient symbol.
Explore more about the cultural significance of snakes in Chinese tradition and their modern applications in medicine and art.
The Modern Significance of Snakes in Chinese Culture and Medicine
Snakes have long held a unique place in Chinese culture, symbolizing renewal, longevity, and health. Historically, their skin and gall have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments and promote vitality. Today, while snake hunting has declined due to stricter wildlife protection laws, snake farming for medicinal purposes continues to thrive, especially in regions like Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
In 2022, Guangxi established a medicinal snake professional committee to regulate the industry, which now includes around 200 snake farms. Thes farms cater to the folk traditions of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, where medicinal snakes are believed to strengthen bones, ease rheumatism, promote circulation, and alleviate skin disorders.
Snakes in Art and Tradition
The Spring Festival has inspired designers, folk artists, and cultural heritage inheritors to incorporate snake motifs into their creations. Luo Huaqing, an inheritor of the Mulam ethnic group’s paper-cutting tradition, has been at the forefront of this trend. Based in luocheng Mulam Autonomous county, Guangxi, Luo’s craft is celebrated for its simplicity, rustic beauty, and ethnic uniqueness.
“Unlike dragons, phoenixes, pomegranates, or fish, snakes are generally not linked to good fortune,” Luo explained. To meet modern tastes, she has innovated her designs by integrating snake scales with patterns resembling gold coins and the Chinese character “Fu,” symbolizing prosperity and happiness.
“By integrating symbols of prosperity and good luck, these innovative snake-themed paper-cutting designs have gained critically importent popularity in the market during the New year,” Luo added.
Snakes in Chinese Folklore and Pop Culture
In Chinese literary tradition,the snake’s shedding of its skin is seen as a powerful symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation. Some historians even believe the chinese dragon, or “loong,” is based on snake imagery, which is why snakes are frequently enough referred to as “lesser dragons.”
The snake’s portrayal in Chinese pop culture is mixed. In the 1986-1987 animation “Calabash Brothers,” a household snake appears as a vicious yaoguai (demon). Conversely, the “White lady,” a snake who transforms into a woman and marries a doctor, is a beloved figure in Chinese folklore. In various adaptations,the White Lady and her human husband save lives during a deadly plague,only to be separated by a Buddhist monk.
Key Insights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Medicinal Use | Snake skin and gall used in traditional Chinese medicine for health benefits. |
| Snake Farming | Around 200 snake farms in Guangxi, regulated by a professional committee. |
| Cultural symbolism | Snakes symbolize renewal, longevity, and health in Chinese tradition. |
| Artistic Innovation | Luo Huaqing integrates snake motifs with symbols of prosperity in paper-cutting. |
| Folklore | Mixed portrayals in pop culture, from yaoguai to the benevolent White Lady. |
Conclusion
From their medicinal uses to their symbolic significance in art and folklore, snakes continue to play a vital role in Chinese culture. As modern innovations blend with traditional practices, the snake’s image evolves, offering fresh perspectives on this ancient symbol.
Explore more about the cultural significance of snakes in chinese tradition and their modern applications in medicine and art.
