Sunday, Chinese people around the world will celebrate one of their most traditional holidays, the Spring Festival, or as it is more commonly known in the west, Chinese New Year.  We will bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon, and hello to the Year of the Snake.

According to Chinese mythology, the names of each year were determined by a race amongst the animals set up by the Jade Emperor.  During the race, the snake cheated by riding on the leg of the horse.  As the horse approached the finish line, the snake jumped off his leg and crossed the finish line before the horse, stealing sixth place for himself.  Because of this, people born in the Year of the Snake are said to be clever and cunning.

Snake years have a reputation for turmoil and dirty dealings traced back to mistakes and the greed from the preceding Dragon year.  The Snake’s yin must balance the Dragon’s yang.  Snake years are rarely tranquil.

The year 1929 was of the economic crash that launched the Great Depression—a Snake year.  1941, when the attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II, was again the Year of the Snake.  The snake struck again in 1965, when the first American combat troops were sent to Vietnam.  And the devastating events of September 11, 2001 occurred during the Year of the Snake.

To counter the turmoil of the Year of the Snake, consider the snake himself.  Patient, calm and watchful, he is always aware of a threat… or an opportunity.  That’s good advice to help you make it to the Year of the Horse, whether you’re a believer or not.