The Legend of the Snake
The Great Race
According to Chinese legend, the Jade Emperor organized a race to determine the order of the zodiac animals. The Snake, being wise but not physically strong, knew it needed a strategy to succeed in the race.
The Snake cleverly wrapped itself around the leg of the Horse and hid. As they approached the finish line, the Snake suddenly uncoiled and slithered ahead of the Horse, frightening it and finishing the race in sixth place, after the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon.
Characteristics of the Snake
- Personality: Enigmatic, intelligent, and wise
- Strengths: Intuition, elegance, and determination
- Weaknesses: Can be jealous, suspicious, and possessive
- Compatible with: Ox, Rooster, and Monkey
Cultural Significance
In Chinese culture, the Snake is often associated with wisdom and good fortune. Unlike in Western cultures where snakes can symbolize evil, in Chinese tradition, the Snake represents cunning intelligence and refined taste. People born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be wise, intuitive, and blessed with good fortune in wealth.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Snake
- Abraham Lincoln (1809)
- Oprah Winfrey (1954)
- Taylor Swift (1989)
- Audrey Hepburn (1929)