Happy Year of the Snake! If your age is a multiple of 12 this year, you belong to the snake in the Chinese zodiac. Snakes are often described as wise, calm, intelligent, intuitive and mysterious, as well as focused, determined and skilled at problem-solving. Well-known people born in the Year of the Snake include Mahatma Gandhi, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Daniel Radcliffe and Billie Eilish.
The Chinese zodiac cycles through 12 animals, each taking its turn to influence a year in a fixed order. The snake holds sixth place in the cycle—the sequence is rat, ox (or buffalo in some cultures), tiger, rabbit (cat in Vietnam), dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is associated with particular traits and cultural meanings that feed into horoscopes and yearly forecasts.
In 2025, Chinese New Year—widely celebrated across East Asian and Southeast Asian communities as Lunar New Year—begins on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The festival typically lasts about two weeks and centers on family gatherings, elaborate meals and the tradition of giving “lucky money” in red envelopes.
When is lucky money given?
Lucky money envelopes—called lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin—are typically given to children and, in some communities, to elders during the first two weeks of the Lunar New Year, ending at the first full moon on the fifteenth day, which is the Lantern Festival (called the Spring Festival in some places). In 2025, the Lantern Festival falls on Feb. 12.
Customs vary by family and region. Often, once you marry you begin handing out envelopes rather than receiving them. Unmarried adults sometimes give lai see to younger relatives or friends’ children, and it’s common to offer lucky money to service workers who provide regular care or support. The practice is flexible—what matters most is the good intent behind the gift.
How much money are we talking about?
Amounts vary widely based on family tradition, local custom and personal means. Small amounts like $5 or $10 are common for distant relatives or casual acquaintances, while parents or close family members often give more. The value is less about the specific sum and more about the symbolism: the red color of envelopes represents happiness and good luck.
Lucky money is also given for other milestones—birthdays, weddings, graduations and births—and envelopes come in many styles, from simple red to ornate gold designs. In many places, fresh, crisp bills are preferred, and older, wrinkled notes may be avoided as a matter of etiquette. Digital “red packets” are another option in regions where mobile payment platforms are widely used.
What else to gift for Chinese New Year?
When visiting relatives, people often bring traditional sweets and snacks. Fruit such as oranges, clementines, pomelos and kumquats are popular—these fruits symbolize abundance, prosperity and good fortune. Gift-giving has become more commercialized in recent years, and brands frequently release Lunar New Year-themed products. While special seasonal items can be a nice gesture, they are not required—many families focus on food, time together and shared rituals rather than material presents.
More Lunar New Year traditions
The core of Lunar New Year is family. In the days before New Year’s Day, many households clean thoroughly, buy new clothes, pay off debts and put up red decorations to invite luck and ward off bad fortune. New Year’s Eve (in 2025, Jan. 28) is often marked by a large family reunion dinner featuring auspicious dishes—long noodles for longevity, a whole fish for abundance and other symbolic foods meant to convey good wishes.
Between New Year’s Day and the Lantern Festival, families visit relatives, honor ancestors, attend local festivities and observe traditional customs and taboos that are believed to influence luck for the coming year. These practices vary by region and family, blending ancient rituals with contemporary celebrations.
And what about predictions for the year?
2025 is the Year of the Snake, specifically the Wood Snake in the Chinese five-element cycle. The Wood Snake is often associated with wisdom, renewal and transformation. Many astrologers suggest this year may encourage thoughtful change, personal growth and introspection. For people born in the Year of the Snake, 2025 can be a favorable time to focus on relationships and career opportunities while maintaining attention to health and balance.
If you’re curious about more detailed horoscopes and what the Year of the Snake might mean for your specific sign, there are many dedicated resources that offer expanded forecasts and interpretations for 2025.
Read more about gift-giving:
- Financial gifts: What you need to know before giving money or investments
- Can we gift cash or property to our kids tax-free?
- The tax implications of gifting adult children money and more
- The best charities in Canada to donate to for the most charitable impact