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Lisa Cam

From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series.
If your Chinese zodiac predicts a rough year ahead, fret not – feng shui is here to help.
The ancient practice also known as Chinese geomancy is said to help balance the energies of people and their environment. Some people consult it to mitigate bad luck and improve their prospects for health, wealth or love.
With origins in ancient Chinese philosophy and Taoism, feng shui is a holistic approach to living in harmony with the natural world.

This traditional practice seeks to optimise the flow of energy, or qi, by considering the placement of furniture, choice of colours and other items, and even the state of the surrounding landscape.
Imagine a home that is peaceful and energising, one in which you feel more relaxed and productive. Feng shui principles are said to help you achieve this by creating a space that supports your overall well-being.
Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares tips on the best cardinal points in a living space to place lucky elements, colours or symbols that might boost luck or ward off bad energy in the Year of the Snake depending on your Chinese zodiac sign.

In the fourth instalment in this series, he focuses on people born in the Year of the Monkey.
Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
Monkeys are in for a bit of a roller-coaster ride this year: along with good fortune there are hidden dangers.
Monkeys can gain both fame and wealth, but the former is likely to eclipse the latter. Their financial situation will fluctuate, with money appearing and then disappearing.
Monkeys will have to be cautious in all new relationships. There is potential for misunderstandings and conflicts to arise in both romantic and professional partnerships.




Monkeys should be mindful of their immune and respiratory systems, which will be prone to issues this year.
In the Year of the Snake, the wealth position is northeast and east for Monkeys, which means they should place gold ingot decorations, decorative items with flowing water, or a fish tank or bowl in the northeast and east of their living space.
Love is in the west this year, so Monkeys can decorate that area with cherry blossoms, red roses or purple orchids.
The health and general fortune position is southeast, so Monkeys can place blue decorations, obsidian and black crystals there to boost their luck.
Look out for feng shui tips for those born in the Year of the Rooster tomorrow.


Feng shui tips for Rabbits in the Year of the Snake, for luck in love, health and wealth

Born in the Year of the Tiger? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

Feng shui tips for Tigers in the Year of the Snake for luck in love, wealth and health

We all need a bit of China’s mountain-moving, desert-greening spirit

Chinese culture

Feng shui tips for Monkeys in the Year of the Snake for luck in love, wealth and health

Money will come and go for Monkeys in the Year of the Snake. A feng shui expert gives tips on where to put lucky objects for a healthy body, love life and bank account. Photo: Shutterstock

Gold ingot decorations are common at Lunar New Year and are believed to bring good luck if placed in the right location. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan. Photo: Andrew Kwan

Feng shui tips in the Year of the Snake for Snakes, for health, wealth, luck and love

For Snakes in the Year of the Snake, the wealth position is west, the love position is south, and the position for health and general luck enhancement is southwest, according to feng shui. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui tips for Horses in the Year of the Snake for luck in love, wealth and health

Horses can improve their luck using feng shui in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

For Horses in the Year of the Snake, the position of love is east while health is south. A feng shui master shares how to act on this for good luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui has been used for centuries to improve the flow of energy, or qi, for good fortune and to ward off bad energy. Photo: Shutterstock 

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares how to promote good fortune through the thoughtful placement of lucky elements in your living space. Photo: Andrew Kwan

Why the Year of the Wood Snake starting in 2025 could bring major change, and more luck

A snake at a farm in Bangkok, Thailand. The next lunar new year will be a Year of the Wood Snake, which comes around every 60 years. The previous one, in 1965, saw dynamic change and upheaval. Are we in for more of the same? Photo: Getty Images

Snakes made of palm leaves are displayed in Shanghai to celebrate the previous Year of the Snake in 2013. Photo: Getty Images

Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, people line up to vote, most for the first time, in Alabama in the US in 1966. Photo: Getty Images

Angry depositors protest and clash with police outside the office of the chairman of the Canton Trust and Commercial Bank in 1965, the previous Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Photo: Chan Kiu

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac? Snakes have 3; how to find success with them

Tigers are one of the Snake’s three “enemy signs” in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake and Tiger can be a challenging combination in both love and business, with relationships often full of conflict. Photo: Shutterstock

The Year of the Snake 2025 is not predicted to be a good one for Snakes, according to Chinese geomancy, who will experience unstable luck and relationship challenges. Photo: Shutterstock

Monkeys have a difficult time cooperating with Snakes in professional settings. Photo: Shutterstock

The relationship between Snakes and Pigs is considered one of the most challenging in the Chinese zodiac. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Chinese Zodiac

Year of the Snake 2025: predictions, facts, myths and feng shui

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for 12 zodiac signs. How is your health, luck, wealth?

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha predicts the varying fortunes of people born under the 12 Chinese zodiac signs in the coming Year of the Snake. Illustrations: Victor Sanjinez

Rabbits should be careful when it comes to investments this year. A feng shui master shares where to place crystals, orchids and more for luck in wealth, health and love. Photo: Shutterstock

According to feng shui principles, Rabbits should place a fishbowl, or decorative items with flowing water, in the southeast of their living space for financial luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Rabbits can place purple crystals such as amethyst in the northwest of their living space to enhance luck this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Tigers may face betrayal and poor health in the Year of the Snake. A feng shui expert shares what to place where to prevent misfortune. Photo: Shutterstock

Those born in the Year of the Tiger should take particular care while driving this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan says Tigers should beware of back-stabbers in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Andrew Kwan

Year of the Snake predictions for Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin

U.S President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 4, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis

President Xi Jinping raises a glass during a welcome dinner hosted by the Macau government in Macau on December 19, 2024. In the Year of the Snake, Xi’s Chinese astrological chart is characterised by a strong fire element accompanied by earth, metal and water, representing a typical combination of strength and prosperity. Photo: EPA-EFE

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan. Photo: Jelly Tse

US President Donald Trump is likely to encounter fewer challenges in his administrative duties over the next three years. Photo: Reuters

The next three years are predicted to be fraught with challenges for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

Feng Shui master Tong Pik-ha. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Feng shui tips for Rats in the Year of the Snake, for luck in love, health and wealth

Rats will enjoy a good financial Year of the Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

The Year of the Snake will be a good financial year for Rats, but there may be downsides. A feng shui expert explains where to place items to ward off bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

It will be a good financial year for Rats, but this might come with more pressure in the workplace. Photo: Shutterstock 

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan says Rats need to be careful of gossip and betrayal in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Andrew Kwan

What are Chinese knots? A history of the good luck symbol popular at Lunar New Year

Chinese knots have a long history, and are especially popular at Lunar New Year because they are believed to bring good luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Most of the Chinese knots you will see are made with a single length of satin cord. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong-based designer Zoe Siu has based her artistic practice around knots for over 10 years. Photo: Pacific Place

The double coin knot resembles two interlocking coins, and symbolises wealth and prosperity. Photo: Pacific Place

Siu’s Lunar New Year installation at Pacific Place features a variety of intricate knots. Photo: Pacific Place

Feng shui tips for Dogs in the Year of the Snake, for health, wealth, luck and love

The Year of the Snake will bring luck for Dogs, who had a hard time last year. A feng shui expert shares where to place auspicious objects in your living space. Photo: Shutterstock


Placing purple crystals such as amethyst in the eastern part of their living space can bring luck to Dogs this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui tips for Roosters in the Year of the Snake, for health, wealth, luck and love

A Year of the Rooster zodiac figure. Photo: Shutterstock

Love is in the south for Roosters in the Year of the Snake. A feng shui master shares how to place items accordingly to improve your luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Decorating the southern part of your living space with red roses can bring luck in love for Roosters this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan says this year presents excellent chances for Roosters to advance their careers. Photo: Andrew Kwan

How sticky rice cakes became a Lunar New Year lucky dish and different ways they are eaten

Cantonese-style sticky rice cake, or “nin gou”, is usually made with glutinous rice flour, Chinese brown sugar and coconut milk. Photo: The Peninsula Hong Kong

Nian gao – Chinese sticky rice cakes – are made to appease the Kitchen God, or zao jun, who reports the activities of every household over the past year to Yu Huang, the Jade Emperor. Photo: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Nian gao, called nin gou in Cantonese (above), are sticky rice cakes eaten at Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock

Lam Yuk-ming is the Chinese cuisine executive chef at Spring Moon, The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Cantonese restaurant. Photo: The Peninsula Hong Kong

Tteokguk is a Korean Lunar New Year dish or thinly sliced rice cakes cooked in clear soybean soup. Photo: Shutterstock

Kagami mochi is eaten during Japanese New Year celebrations. Photo: Shutterstock

Feng shui tips for Sheep in the Year of the Snake for luck in love, health and wealth

For Sheep in the Year of the Snake, the wealth position is north and northwest. A feng shui master explains how to act on this for good luck. Photo: Shutterstock

People have been adhering to feng shui principles for centuries to improve their luck in health, love and wealth. Photo: Shutterstock 

The wealth position is in the north this year for Sheep, which means placing a fish bowl or tank in the north of their living space can bring good luck. Photo: Shutterstock 

Hong Kong cheongsam maker gives the Chinese dress a modern makeover with her funky brand

Cheongsam maker Chocolate Tsang poses in one of her creations at her studio, Stand Tall D, in Kwai Chung, Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

Tsang works in her studio. Photo: Edmond So

Women wear cheongsam in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, in the 1960s. Photo: Information Services Department

Tsang takes 20 body measurements to make her cheongsam. Photo: Edmond So

 Tsang with cheongsam master tailor Yan Ka-man. Photo: Chocolate Tsang

Maggie Cheung wore 20 different cheongsam in the film In The Mood for Love (2000). Photo: Block 2 Pictures

Tsang’s favourite cheongsam is this navy lace piece that she handcrafted under the guidance of Yan. Photo: Chocolate Tsang

Tsang founded her made-to-measure brand in 2018. Photo: Edmond So

How ‘snake’ entered the English language and what Singaporeans mean by ‘eat snake’

The root words of the English snake and serpent mean “a creeping thing”, and most sayings that incorporate snake have a negative meaning, including the Singapore English “eat snake”. Photo: Shutterstock

The Slytherin logo is seen on cups in the store of a touring Harry exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

A 16th century Flemish engraving depicts men setting fire to undergrowth in which snakes are trapped. Photo: Getty Images

A banded krait, a snake native to Hong Kong. The name krait is borrowed from Hindi. Photo: Shutterstock

In Year of the Snake 2025, is bad luck predicted for you? 5 ways to change your fortunes

Every year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, some zodiac signs clash with the guardian deity, bringing bad luck to people born under those signs. But there are things they can do to improve their luck. Photo: Getty Images

Chinese people like to learn their future by visiting a fortune-teller. If bad luck awaits some in the Year of the Snake, there are steps they can take to improve their prospects. Photo: Shutterstock

Performing a ritual at a temple that grants you a protective talisman is one way to mitigate bad luck resulting from a clash between your zodiac sign and the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Women’s red underwear. Wearing red undergarments is believed to improve luck. Photo: Getty Images

Wearing an amulet of another zodiac sign can ward off bad luck. In the Year of the Snake, a rooster amulet will help those born in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Rats, from lucky colour to health and wealth

In the coming Year of the Snake, white is the lucky colour for people born in Year of the Rat. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

In 2025’s Year of the Snake, people born in a Year of the Rat can expect good health but risks to their wealth. What else awaits them according to Chinese geomancy? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

White is the lucky colour for Rats in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this White jumpsuit by Galvan, availabel from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Those born under the sign of the Rat have strong luck in love. Photo: Shutterstock

It is time to start focusing on well-being and dropping bad lifestyle habits. Photo: Shutterstock

How Hong Kong Lunar New Year lai see red packet designs blend tradition and innovation

Lai see envelopes created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet. Its founder explains how it balances tradition and modernity in its designs for them. Photo: Kylie Knott

Malou Ko is the founder of Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet, which has created lai see envelopes for corporate clients. Photo: Kylie Knott

The Cabinet designed red packets in 2020 for the Sheraton hotel chain that included the brand’s logo. Brand alignment is important, says The Cabinet’s founder Malou Ko. Photo: The Cabinet

A lai see packet created by Hong Kong design studio The Cabinet that was inspired by the boxes containing oranges that are sold in supermarkets at Lunar New Year. Photo: The Cabinet

The Cabinet designed lai see packets in 2023 for Hong Kong lifestyle brand Yuu including a scratch-off section that revealed a discount code for various retailers in the city. Photo: The Cabinet

An evergreen lai see packet with lanterns from The Lion Rock Press can be used every year. Photo: The Lion Rock Press

Why Chinese give red packets at Lunar New Year and the rise of digital versions

The red colour of lai see symbolises good luck and prosperity, and the amount of money inside usually ends in an even number, which is considered more auspicious. Photo: Shutterstock

Sending digital red packets is becoming more popular in China. Photo: Shutterstock

WeChat was the first company to launch a digital red packet function. Photo: WeChat 

Many people still prefer to send paper red packets rather than digital ones because of the cultural significance. Photo: Shutterstock

Food mistakes to avoid over Lunar New Year holiday, from eating congee to chopping chicken

People in Chengdu, southwest China, enjoy a Lunar New Year feast. There are auspicious foods to eat during the festival, and others you should avoid if you want good fortune in the new lunar year. Photo: Getty Images

Congee’s association with thriftiness and poverty makes it an inauspicious food to eat during Chinese new year celebrations. Photo: Shutterstock

According to Buddhist principles, diners should avoid eating meat on the first and 15th days of the Lunar New Year holiday, so the barbecued pork this woman is eating with a bowl of noodles would be a no-no. Photo: Shutterstock

Do not chop meat on Lunar New Year’s day. According to Chinese tradition, using sharp objects then symbolises cutting the thread of good luck for the year ahead. Photo: Shutterstock

A plump whole fish is a common sight on dining tables over Lunar New Year. Tradition-minded diners will leave the head and tail untouched so they will always have enough to eat in the coming lunar year. Photo: Shutterstock

Whether you use a bucket or other receptacle to store rice, make sure it is full to the brim at Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Tigers should take precautions in Year of the Snake with conflict in the stars

A tiger bestrides Shanghai’s Yuuan Garden during the Lantern Festival in 2022. Tigers in the Year of the Snake face strife on the health and home fronts, but can take steps to mitigate their bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock

Tigers are in conflict with the guardian deity in the Year of the Snake, affecting their health and home life especially. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

The conflict with the guardian deity will negatively affect Tigers’ relationships at work this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Single Tigers will unlucky in love in the Year of the Snake because of their clash with the guardian deity. Photo: Shutterstock

Why there are fewer babies born in the Year of the Snake, and what it means

A family where the lucky colour red for Lunar New Year. Fewer babies are born in the Year of the Snake, with many parents believing they will be unlucky. Photo: Shutterstock

A lighting installation at Beijing’s Wenyuhe Park to welcome the coming Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

A serpent-shaped light installation in Nanjing, Jiangsu, eastern China to mark the Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

Year of the Snake predictions for Pigs, from love and health to career and wealth

Pigs oppose the ‘tai sui’ (guardian deity) this year and may face bad luck, but there are ways to improve your prospects. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Travel should be in the plans of Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, to avoid the effects of some inauspicious stars according to Chinese geomancy. Illustration; Victor Sanjinez

Pink is the lucky colour for Pigs in 2025’s Year of the Snake, as seen in this dress by Zimmermann, available from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung/Jonathan Vit

Married couples may be prone to constant arguments with each other, and should start or expand their family. Photo: Shutterstock

Pigs should engage in some light renovation or replace old furniture to refresh the energy at home. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Year of the Snake is cursed for Snakes, and how to appease deities to avoid bad luck

The Year of the Snake is bad for Snakes. Photo: Getty Images

Feng shui tips for Monkeys in the Year of the Snake for luck in love, wealth and health

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where to place lucky elements and colours in your living space for an auspicious Year of the Snake