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Manica Tiglao

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is linked to an animal, influenced further by the five fundamental elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The Lunar New Year, which falls on January 29 this year, marks the start of the Year of the Wood Snake.
What to expect

The essence of the Snake can signify transformation, while the yin wood can embody growth and a deep-rooted connection with the natural world.
“We know the way the snake behaves – it usually hunts things,” says feng shui designer Thierry Chow. “But [this year] it is actually a grass snake, so it’s not a very scary snake.
“The year also represents wood and fire, which means industries like culture, art, design, medicine and technology will thrive.”
Purge the home ahead of the Lunar New Year

For a good start to the year, make room for new things. Take stock of your belongings and let go of items that have been left untouched and no longer serve you.
“During Chinese New Year we love telling people to purge because you do tend to accumulate a lot of stuff, which can come to represent your inner side,” says Chow.
“It’s important for us to look at things that have been there for a long time. Perhaps it’s something from an ex [partner], or from five years ago, and you haven’t dealt with that. It’s a good time to face those things and get rid of them.”
Manifest positive energy

According to the principles of feng shui, understanding the interplay of elements, colours and symbols is key to maximising luck and harmony.
“Look out for life energy in a space,” says Chow. Living things such as plants, flowers, pets and even water, such as in fish tanks, can uplift a home’s positive energy in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Lighting can also make a difference. Warmer tones instead of white fluorescent light could be more beneficial to mental health, says Chow. “A lot of people don’t look at the shape of lighting, but round shapes also bring more harmony, instead of pointy, sharp pieces,” she adds.
Rather than shop for new pieces, sentimental objects can help boost positive energy at home. “It can be any artwork that means something to you,” she says. “Or anything that has been passed on from family.”
Location matters

Directional stars (unique energies) are an essential principle of feng shui, and the strategic placement of furniture and colours can invite luck, good energy and protection.
“We can look at the direction of where the bad energy goes through, and where the good energy goes through,” Chow explains.
For the Year of the Wood Snake, luck in love and wealth is due to arrive in the east corner. To enhance fortune in your career and educational endeavours, pay attention to the west corner. “The more you are in those zones, the more you can assert that positive energy,” says Chow. “Sleep there, work there, or place certain things to enhance the energy, like red cushions, paintings, Chinese bamboo, flowers.”
To avoid health issues in the Year of the Wood Snake, steer clear of the northeast corner and the middle areas of the home and the office, and use metallic items such as copper coins or a gold ox statue to minimise bad energy in those spaces.
Strive for balance

Using joyful tones such as red is customary for luck in the Lunar New Year. But in the fire-dominated Year of the Wood Snake, balance is also key. Metallic and water hues – white, blues and metallics – can offer some equilibrium and harmonise the energy flow of a space.
“For more personal colours, look at the month you were born,” says Chow. “Those born in the spring and summer months can use more metallic and water colours, and those born in the autumn and winter can use more fire colours – pink, purple, orange, as well as green. It’s all about balance.”


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Architecture and design

How to prepare your home for the Year of the Snake and bring positive feng shui energy

2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, as celebrated in this limited edition plaque by Royal Selangor. Photo: Royal Selangor

Feng shui expert Thierry Chow reveals how to prepare your home for the Year of the Wood Snake. Photo: Courtesy of Thierry Chow

Declutter and choose warm hues and round shapes for your home in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Courtesy of Ellison Studios

Living things such as plants, flowers and pets can uplift a home’s positive energy in the Year of the Wood Snake. Photo: Shutterstock

Metallic items such as copper coins can help minimise bad energy in the Year of the Snake, says feng shui designer Thierry Chow. Photo: Shutterstock

Red brings luck in the Lunar New Year, but for the Year of the Snake it is good to find balance. Photo: Royal Selangor

What to expect in the Year of the Snake: a visual guide

Where to dine in style this Chinese New Year in Hong Kong

Auspicious dishes of Ming Pavilion at Island Shangri-La Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Indulge in the Chinese New Year feast at the Michelin-starred culinary gem Duddell’s. Photo: Handout

One of the East-meets-West dishes on offer for Chinese New Year at Fortnum & Mason. Photo: Handout

Savour a selection of exclusive Chinese New dishes at Man Ho Chinese Restaurant. Photo: Handout

A notable highlight at Man Wah is the sautéed lobster in superior fish broth. Photo: Handout

Ming Pavilion offers a lavish feast with symbolic dishes representing prosperity and good fortune. Photo: Handout

The braised fish maw and goose soup is a stand-out dish among Tin Lung Heen’s seasonal offerings. Photo: Handout

The Butterfly Room at Rosewood Hong Kong has unveiled its exclusive Chinese New Year-themed afternoon tea menu. Photo: Handout

The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a spread of festive delicacies at its boutique, available to purchase in-store or online. Photo: Handout

End your Chinese New Year meal on a sweet note with Vista’s golden tiramisu. Photo: Handout

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London’s Trafalgar Square is the venue for various activities for the Lunar New Year.  Photo: Wang Zixuan

London’s Chinatown community is preparing to usher in the Year of the Snake. Photo: Allan Hong

Chinatown’s restaurants will be offering traditional Spring Festival fare. Photo: Yuta Fukuda

Lunar New Year decorations are going up in Chinatown. Photo: Yuta Fukuda

Trafalgar Square will host the main stage of London’s Lunar New Year festivities. Photo: Calvin Luo

Should Year of the Snake be Year of the Cat? Ancient Chinese mural raises questions

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

A centuries-old mural seemingly featuring a cat as a zodiac animal has Chinese social media users questioning Chinese mythology. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

The centruies-old mural features a cat (middle row, second from right) among the 12 anthropomorphised animals. Photo: Yuelu Academy

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In Chinese mythology, the cat was sabotaged by the rat, resulting in it missing out on being named a zodiac animal. Photo: David Wong

Chinese horoscopes for the Year of the Wood Snake 2025: predictions for health, wealth, work and love, plus the Wood Snake’s effect on the 5 elements of the Chinese zodiac

What to expect in the Year of the Wood Snake 2025. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Workers set up a snake-shaped lantern at Laomendong, in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, in December 2024, ahead of the Lunar New Year. Photo: Getty Images

In Chinese astrology, the Snake represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition and creativity. Photo: Austin Zhang

Rat years include 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Ox years include 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Tiger years include 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 and 2010. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Rabbit years include 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Dragon years include 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Snake years include 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Horse years include 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Goat years include 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 and 2015. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Monkey years include 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Rooster years include 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2017. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Dog years include 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006. Photo: SCMP Graphics

Pig years include 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007. Photo: SCMP Graphics

PostMag

Design & Interiors

Feng shui designer Thierry Chow shares top tips for arranging your personal space in time for the Lunar New Year


Feng shui designer Thierry Chow shares top tips for arranging your personal space in time for the Lunar New Year.


How to prepare your home for the Year of the Snake and bring positive feng shui energy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Feng shui designer Thierry Chow shares top tips for arranging your personal space in time for the Lunar New Year

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}What to expect

Feng shui designer Thierry Chow shares top tips for arranging your personal space in time for the Lunar New Year

What to expect