EsoteriaA library of sacred & hidden knowledge
Horoscopes · Systems of many cultures

Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 6

Snake

Snake · 蛇 shé

The Snake (蛇 shé), sign 6 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Si 巳, fixed element fire, yin.

The Snake, sometimes called the 'little dragon', is associated with wisdom, discretion and intuition. It is regarded as calm and deliberate, though secretive.

In Chinese astrology the year animal is only one part of a horoscope: the element of the year's heavenly stem, the month, day and hour of birth (the Four Pillars) and their interactions are read together. The traditional characterisations of each animal belong to folk belief and popular almanacs rather than to a single authoritative text.

Personality

wise · intuitive · discreet · calm · elegant · deliberate · secretive

In Chinese popular astrology the Snake is described as wise, intuitive and discreet, calm on the surface and deliberate in its every move. Sometimes called the 'little dragon', it is linked with the earthly branch Si, yin and the element fire, and is associated with insight, mystery and a quiet, coiled power.

Almanac portraits credit Snake-born people with intelligence, perception, good judgement and refinement; they are said to think before they speak, to keep their own counsel and to read people and situations accurately. They are often thought to have taste in dress and surroundings and an interest in philosophy and hidden knowledge. The weaknesses traditionally named are secrecy, suspicion, possessiveness and a tendency to brood or to hold resentment.

In love the Snake is portrayed as charming and devoted but private and sometimes jealous, valuing loyalty above all; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Ox and the Rooster. At work it is linked with research, scholarship, finance, law, psychology and strategy, fields where patience and insight bring results. Chinese astrologers emphasise that the element of the year and the full Four Pillars modify this outline, as the animal is only one strand of the horoscope.

Sources and further reading