Years of the Snake 1953 · 1965 · 1977 · 1989 · 2001 · 2013 · 2025

The Year of the Snake comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2037, the Year of the Fire Snake, which begins on 15 Feb 2037.

Every 12 years
Next: 2037
Sign: 6th of 12

Year of the Snake chart

The table shows every Year of the Snake from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

Year	Dates	Element sign	Stem-branch
1929	10 Feb 1929 – 29 Jan 1930	Earth Snake	己巳 (jǐ sì)
1941	27 Jan 1941 – 14 Feb 1942	Metal Snake	辛巳 (xīn sì)
1953	14 Feb 1953 – 2 Feb 1954	Water Snake	癸巳 (guǐ sì)
1965	2 Feb 1965 – 20 Jan 1966	Wood Snake	乙巳 (yǐ sì)
1977	18 Feb 1977 – 6 Feb 1978	Fire Snake	丁巳 (dīng sì)
1989	6 Feb 1989 – 26 Jan 1990	Earth Snake	己巳 (jǐ sì)
2001	24 Jan 2001 – 11 Feb 2002	Metal Snake	辛巳 (xīn sì)
2013	10 Feb 2013 – 30 Jan 2014	Water Snake	癸巳 (guǐ sì)
2025	29 Jan 2025 – 16 Feb 2026	Wood Snake	乙巳 (yǐ sì)
2037	15 Feb 2037 – 3 Feb 2038	Fire Snake	丁巳 (dīng sì)

Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.

When is the next Year of the Snake?

The next Year of the Snake is 2037, the Year of the Fire Snake. It runs from 15 Feb 2037 to 3 Feb 2038. After that the Snake returns in 2049.

What each element means for the Snake

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Snake’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Snake year comes round, everyone born under the Snake is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Snake guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Snake questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Snake?

The Years of the Snake are 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 and 2037. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Snake?

The next Year of the Snake is 2037, the Year of the Fire Snake. It runs from 15 Feb 2037 to 3 Feb 2038.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.