What It Means to Be Born in the Year of the Snake

You might shudder at the thought of encountering a snake in your garden or on a hike…but what about in the nursery? While these slithering, fork-tongued reptiles get a bad rap IRL, when we’re talking about the Lunar New Year, there’s so much to love about babies born in the Year of the Snake! And if your hatchling arrives between 29 January, 2025 and 16 February, 2026, they’ll be Snake babies, too.

Curious, charming, and deeply intuitive, babies born in the Year of the Snake are destined to stand out! In Chinese culture, the Snake is a symbol of wisdom, elegance, and mystery. Those born under this zodiac sign are said to possess a magnetic allure and a sharp intellect that can shine through from their earliest days. Here’s what it means if your little one is born in the Year of the Snake.

When is the year of the snake?

The Year of the Snake comes around every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac. Babies born in these years are part of this sign:

• 2025 (10 February, 2025 – 28 January, 2026)
• 2013 (10 February, 2013–30 January 30, 2014)
• 2001 (24 January 2001–11 February, 2002)
• 1989 (6 February, 1989–26 January, 1990)
• 1977 (18 February, 1977–6 January, 1978)

Each Snake year is also associated with one of the five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—which can further shape your child’s unique traits. For instance, 2025 is a Wood Snake year, blending the Snake’s natural intellect with the adaptability and growth-oriented nature of wood.

Year of the Snake: Baby’s Personality Traits

Snake babies are often described as wise beyond their years. They’re the deep thinkers of the zodiac, known for their calm demeanor, resourcefulness, and ability to analyze situations before taking action. Here are some classic Snake traits:

• Curious: Snake kiddos are natural-born explorers, fascinated by how the world works. They might spend hours taking apart toys—or pondering the mysteries of life over a bowl of cereal!
• Observant: Snakes notice everything. They tend to hang back and quietly soak up their surroundings before making a move, whether it’s crawling toward a new toy or deciding who gets their dazzling smile.
• Charming: People can’t help but be drawn to Snakes. They have a quiet charisma that makes others feel at ease, even as they hold onto an air of mystery.
• Determined: Snake babies have strong wills! Once they’ve set their sights on a goal (or a coveted snack), there’s no stopping them.

Year of the Snake: Your Baby’s Learning Style

Snake babies are thinkers. They love to observe, analyze, and collect information at their own pace. From their earliest days, you might notice that your little Snake prefers quiet, focused play over noisy chaos. These babies thrive when given the time and space to process new experiences.

Often calm observers, Snakes sit back and watch before springing to action. They may study a new toy or environment carefully before diving in. With that, they tend to enjoy solo exploration. Providing them with puzzles, books, and hands-on activities can help fuel their curiosity. And nothing gets by these detail-oriented little ones! From subtle differences in patterns to changes in routine, their sharp minds catch on quickly (so don’t even think about straying from their bedtime routine!).

Year of the Snake: Your Baby’s Social Acumen

Snake babies may be reserved at first, but their charm and warmth shine through once they feel comfortable. These little ones are naturally observant and tend to form strong, meaningful bonds with those they trust most.

Snakes prefer quality over quantity when it comes to relationships. Don’t be surprised if your little one takes a while to warm up to new people. Though once they’re comfortable, look out! Snake babies are charmers and have a knack for effortlessly drawing people into their thrall. Their quiet confidence makes them natural leaders in group settings.

Their watch-and-wait approach to life also gives space for them to key into others’ emotions. These kiddos have an intuitive sense of others’ feelings, making them thoughtful and empathetic companions.

Year of the Snake: Parenting Your Baby Snake

Snakes take their time to think things through, so try not to rush them. Give them space to process their surroundings and make decisions. Snakes value their privacy. While they may seem reserved at times, offering a safe, supportive environment will encourage them to open up. Support their social skills by gently encouraging group play and helping them navigate new environments at their own pace. Your Snake baby’s trust in you will give them the confidence to shine!

Encourage exploration by offering open-ended activities like building blocks, art supplies, and sensory bins. Snake babies love opportunities to think, create, and solve problems in their own time. And foster their love of beauty and expression by offering art supplies, music time, or trips to explore nature.

Year of the Snake Fun Facts

Each sign of the Chinese zodiac is associated with certain elements, numbers, and more. Here’s what it looks like for your Snake baby:

• Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 9
• Unlucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
• Lucky Dates: 2nd, 8th, and 9th of any month
• Lucky Colours: Black, red, and yellow
• Lucky Flowers: Orchids and cactus flowers
• Lucky Season: Spring
• Famous Snakes: Taylor Swift, Audrey Hepburn, Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali

More Zodiac Profiles:

• What It Means to Be Born in the Year of the Dragon (2024)
• What It Means to Be Born in the Year of the Tiger (2022)
• What Your Baby’s Astrological Sign Says About Them

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.