When is Chinese New Year 2025? What the Year of the Snake means and all zodiac explained

Communities around the world will soon celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

The annual festival - also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival - takes place across fifteen days, beginning with the first new moon of the year and ending on the following full moon.

Chinese New Year - or Lunar New Year as its also known - is coming up. Image: Getty | Getty Images

Originating in China, the holiday has been celebrated for millennia and it is one of the most important events of the year.

With the Year of the Snake set to begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, here’s everything you need to know about the Chinese New Year, from what the zodiac represent to how the holiday is celebrated.

When is Chinese New Year 2025?

In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on Wednesday, January 29 and end on Wednesday, February 12. The festivities will mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

How long is Chinese New Year?

As the Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the Chinese calendar, the annual celebration begins on the same day as the first new moon between January 21 and February 20.

The Lunar New Year lasts around 15 to 16 days, ending on the following full moon, which is then marked with the Festival of Lanterns.

What does the Year of the Snake mean?

The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year repeating cycle of animal signs and their characteristics, with the Lunar New Year marking the transition from one animal to another.

This year, Wednesday, January 29 will officially mark the end of the Year of the Dragon and the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

The sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, the snake is considered to be more mysterious than others. There are a number of meanings which are associated with snakes - both good and bad.

The Year of the Snake. | Marina Zlochin - stock.adobe.com

In Western culture, snakes are more likely to symbolise evil and temptation. In Chinese culture, however, snakes are associated not just with cunning, threats and terror, but also with the harvest, procreation, spirituality and good fortune.

In 2025, specifically, it is the year of the “Wood Snake” or the “Wood Fire Snake”.

With wood symbolising growth, flexibility and tolerance - and fire representing passion, vitality and brightness - the dual influence of both mean whose born under the year of the Wood Snake tend to demonstrate qualities such as resilience, courage, drive and perseverance in the face of adversity.

While this does allow them to become leaders within their friends, it can also mean they appear idealistic and are often lost or confused and in need of support from those around them.

What are the Zodiac animals and their meanings?

The Chinese zodiac calendar. | Olaola - stock.adobe.com

Rat

The first Zodiac sign in the Chinese cycle. People who were born in the Year of the Rat are said to be quick-witted, resourceful, and smart but lack courage. Due to their work ethic, however, they are thought to be wealthy and prosperous. Lucky colours: blue, gold, green. Recent years: 2020, 2008, 1996.

Ox

The second of the Zodiac signs, an Ox is said to have an honest personality. People born in the Year of the Ox are thought to be diligent, dependable, strong, and determined. Though find it difficult to communicate. Lucky colours: white, yellow, green. Recent years: 2021, 2009, 1997.

Tiger

Third among the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. Confident, charming and well liked they sometimes possess a stubborn personality too. Lucky colours: blue, grey, orange. Recent years: 2010, 1998, 1986.

Rabbit

Fourth of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, rabbits tend to be of a more gentle nature. Quiet, elegant, kind, and patient, rabbits have many positive characteristics but can also be known to be superficial. Lucky colours: pink, red, purple, blue. Recent years: 2011, 1999, 1987.

Dragon

Fifth in the order but widely seen as the most vital and powerful beast in the Chinese Zodiac. Hot-headed with a sharp tongue, people born in the Year of the Dragon are also said to be confident and intelligent, and natural leaders. Lucky colours: gold, silver, grey. Recent years: 2012, 2000, 1988.

Snake

Intelligent and wise, the sixth animal of the Chinese Zodiac is the most enigmatic. Goal-orientated and hate to fail, people born in the Year of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive and a symbol of wisdom. Lucky colours: black, red, yellow. Recent years: 2013, 2001, 1989.

Horse

People born in the Year of the Horse - the seventh animal of the Chinese Zodiac signs - are said to be active, animated and energetic. A lover of mass gatherings - sports events, live concerts, parties - horses crave the spotlight. Lucky colours: green, yellow. Recent years: 2014, 2002, 1990.

Goat

A thoughtful animal - and the eighth in order - people born in the Year of the Goat are generally thought of as being gentle, mild-mannered, shy, sympathetic and incredibly kind-hearted. Creative and tough under the surface. Lucky colours: brown, red, purple. Recent years: 2015, 2003, 1991.

Monkey

The ninth of 12 animals, monkeys are sharp, smart but also have a mischievous side to their personality. Thought to be masters of practical jokes, due to their playful nature, they are also fast learners and prefer urban life to a rural one. Lucky colours: white, blue, gold. Recent years: 2016, 2004, 1992.

Rooster

Always active, amusing, and popular within a crowd, roosters are talkative, outspoken, frank, honest, and loyal. The 10th animal in the Chinese order, roosters expect to be listened to and their achievement acknowledged. Lucky colours: gold, brown, yellow. Recent years: 2017, 2005, 1993.

Dog

Loyalty and honesty are two personality traits of those people born in the Year of the Dog. Kind, cautious, and prudent though communication is where they fall down, leading to others thinking they have a stubborn personality. Lucky colours: green, red, purple. Recent years: 2018, 2006, 1994.

Pig

The last of the Zodiac animals in the Chinese calendar, pigs are diligent, compassionate, and generous. One of their strengths is their ability to concentrate and forge ahead to achieve their goals, though they are easily fooled. Lucky colours: yellow, grey, brown, gold. Recent years: 2019, 2007, 1995.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

The Lunar New Year represents moving on from the old and the bad and welcoming in the new and the good. Across China, and Chinese communities around the world, it is celebrated with a variety of events like dragon or lion dances, imperial performances (such as an emperor’s wedding) or the wearing of traditional dress.

During this time you can find gifts wrapped in red packaging, red clothes and red decor placed all over the place. Adults often give children small red envelopes of money as well and these bestow good luck upon the recipient.

People hold a dragon during the Paris Belleville Chinese New Year parade in Paris, France. | Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

On New Year’s Eve families will celebrate with a dinner that takes place in the home allowing all the family members to connect, some Chinese expats living overseas will travel thousands of miles to join the occasion. After dinner the family will enjoy a tradition named ‘Shou Sui’ which sees everyone reminiscing over the year that just passed before launching fireworks at midnight.

How to wish someone a Happy New Year in Chinese?

If you want to wish someone a ‘Happy New Year’ and they’re from mainland China then you should use Mandarin, but if they’re from Hong Kong then it’s better you use Cantonese.

To wish someone a ‘Happy New Year’ you can say ‘Xīnnián hǎo’ (新年好), here are some phonetics to help you:

Cantonese - “sen - nin - haow”

Mandarin - “sheen - nyun - haow”