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Chinese superstitions
Martial arts
Lunar New Year
Chinese history
Hong Kong culture
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
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Chinese culture

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

From predictions to curses and what the snake represents in Chinese culture.

Chinese culture

Feng shui master’s advice for Horses in the Year of the Snake

Chinese culture

Feng shui master’s tips for Snakes in the Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year

Women in this Chinese lion dance troupe also fling around the men

The Lingdong troupe from Shantou in China includes around 20 female performers, but there has been some mockery amid the positive reactions.

This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows female lion dancers taking part in a practice session at an ancestral temple in Shantou, in southern China’s Guangdong province. Sporting furry sequinned trousers and a black training top, Lin Xinmeng flings her male teammate into the air -- part of China’s world-renowned lion dance that is shrugging off centuries of patriarchal norms. Performed across China and around the world, at weddings or during business openings, it is a mainstay festivity for the Lunar New Year which which falls on January 29 this year. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / TO GO WITH: China-culture-LNY-dance-lion, REPORTAGE by Ludovic EHRET
This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows female lion dancers taking part in a practice session at an ancestral temple in Shantou, in southern China’s Guangdong province. Sporting furry sequinned trousers and a black training top, Lin Xinmeng flings her male teammate into the air -- part of China’s world-renowned lion dance that is shrugging off centuries of patriarchal norms. Performed across China and around the world, at weddings or during business openings, it is a mainstay festivity for the Lunar New Year which which falls on January 29 this year. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / TO GO WITH: China-culture-LNY-dance-lion, REPORTAGE by Ludovic EHRET
Art

How a Hong Kong seal carver keeps an ancient Chinese art alive

Third-generation seal engraver Yam Man-hong talks about preserving the craft at his tiny Hong Kong stall, and keeping up with the times.

Chinese culture

Designer on why Hong Kong red packets need to be ‘universal’

A designer of lai see envelopes given out at Lunar New Year talks about adding novelty to them while still satisfying traditionalists.

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Chinese culture

Dragons’ lucky colour in the Year of the Snake, and their prospects

Dragons are expected to thrive in the workplace and in new relationships, while doing less well when it comes to wellness.

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What is in store for Dragons in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
What is in store for Dragons in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Chinese culture

How the 12 Chinese zodiac animals were chosen and ordered: a race

According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race to determine how to name each year, which brought out the best, and worst, in the animals.

Chinese culture

Want better luck in the Year of the Snake? Pray to these 3 Chinese gods

Besides the tai sui and Jade Emperor, the gods of wealth, doors and kitchens are also appeased by those wanting the best shot at fortune.

Chinese culture

What’s ahead for Rabbits in the Year of the Snake, from money to health

Rabbits are in for a lucky financial year and should take chances to boost their career, but also consider buying health and travel insurance.

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Will Rabbits be lucky in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Chinese culture

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac and which are the Snake’s?

The Tiger, Monkey and Pig animal signs are considered ‘enemies’ of Snakes. Here’s how to overcome relationship issues in love and business.

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
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
Chinese culture

Predictions for Tigers in the Year of the Snake, from lucky colour to income

Tigers will have a good year for career and income but risk having financial disputes, and will be less lucky with health and relationships.

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Chinese culture

All about the ‘Little New Year’ festival that precedes Lunar New Year

A key part of the Chinese “xiao nian” festival a week before Lunar New Year concerns the Kitchen God, who is also celebrated in Vietnam.

Chinese culture

5 ways to beat bad luck predictions in 2025’s Year of the Snake

Every lunar year, certain Chinese zodiac animals offend the ruling deity and risk bad luck. Fortunately, there are ways to appease the deity.

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 culture

What the Year of the Snake holds for Oxen, from love to money

People born in the Year of the Ox will be lucky at work and generally healthy in the new year, but there may be relationship problems ahead.

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How will Tigers fare in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
How will Tigers fare in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Wellness

Traditional Chinese medicine remedies for colds, coughs, hair and more

Young TCM practitioners share tips on herbs and foods to help with everything from digestive, kidney and eye health to better hair and acne.

Chinese culture

Rats’ lucky colour in Year of the Snake and predictions for love, money

People born in the Year of the Rat can expect to be rewarded for hard work, but need to balance that in their love lives.

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Chinese culture

Should Year of the Snake be Year of the Cat? Ancient mural intrigues

A tomb over 700 years old in China has a mural with a cat, not a snake, among the zodiac animals, recalling Vietnam’s Year of the Cat.

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A cat at a Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
A cat at a Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Chinese culture

How Tigers can overcome their bad stars in Year of the Snake

The Tiger is one of the zodiac signs in conflict with the guardian deity in the coming lunar year. What this means, and what to do.

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Chinese culture

What’s ahead for Pigs in the Year of the Snake, and their lucky colour

If you were born in the Year of the Pig, find out how to improve your luck, finances, love life and well-being.

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Chinese culture

Why red packets are given at Lunar New Year and the rise of e-versions

Called lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin, red packets wish good luck and prosperity, but are electronic versions taking over?

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
Chinese culture

Born in the Year of the Pig? How to survive 2025’s Year of the Snake

The Pig is among the zodiac signs in conflict with the coming lunar year’s guardian deity. From temple rites to travel, ways to improve luck.

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The Year of the Snake is looking unlucky for Pigs, whose will clash with the guardian deity. We tell you how to counter the bad luck this brings. Photo: Shutterstock
The Year of the Snake is looking unlucky for Pigs, whose will clash with the guardian deity. We tell you how to counter the bad luck this brings. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

Survival tips for Monkeys facing evil star in Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year in 2025 means conflict between its guardian deity and some Chinese zodiac signs, including Monkey. What they can do.

Chinese culture

Is your zodiac sign Snake? You’re in conflict with guardian deity this year

Lunar New Year in 2025 ushers in conflict between a guardian deity and some Chinese zodiac signs, among them Snake. What to do.

Chinese culture

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Dogs, from finances to romance

Dogs will earn more this year amid financial pitfalls. It’s a good year for love and marriage but mediocre for health – avoid certain places.

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The Year of the Snake will bring good luck for Dogs. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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OPINION
Lisa Lim

Language Matters | Where English got the word ‘snake’, and ‘eating snake’ in Singapore

Lisa Lim
Wee Kek Koon

Reflections | So Chinese New Year prosperity toss salad is unchristian?

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Reflections | Why are Chinese couples so set on Western wedding fashion?

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Reflections | The earliest Chinese lotteries, and a cheating operator’s gruesome death

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Reflections | Is God there? Yes, said China’s Confucius, but so what?

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Reflections | Suicide in Korea is a big problem. In China, views were once very different

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