Chinese New Year is one of the most significant and colourful holidays in the world. Its history dates back more than 3.5 thousand years, the holiday unites millions of people, preserving unique traditions and rituals passed down from generation to generation.

Chinese New Year is not just a change of calendar date, but a real celebration of life, renewal and family values. Unlike the European New Year, which is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1, the Chinese holiday is tied to the lunar calendar. Its date changes every year, falling between January 21 and February 21. In 2025, residents of the Celestial Empire and other countries celebrating this holiday will celebrate New Year's Day on January 29.

The patron of 2025, according to this horoscope will be the Green Wooden Snake. Each sign of the Zodiac, according to Chinese theory, is influenced by one of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire or Earth. Each of these elements has a specific color: Metal – white, Water – black, Fire – red, Earth – yellow, Wood – green. In total, there are sixty different combinations, and they alternately become the symbol of the coming year. The snake symbolizes wisdom and harmony, cunning and ability to adapt to any circumstances. It is characterized by wisdom and equanimity. It does not attack first and prefers a peaceful resolution of conflicts. And the snake is also the embodiment of renewal. Shedding snake skin symbolizes getting rid of the old, search for a new, making extraordinary decisions.

In China, there is a concept called “Benmingnian” –it is the so-called Year of Destiny, i.e. the year patronized by the zodiacal animal in whose year you were born. Thus, in 2025, “Benmingnian” is coming to people born in the year of the Snake. People born in the year of this animal are the gentlest representatives of this sign. The previous such year was sixty years ago. It is during this period that the complete cycle in the Chinese horoscope is renewed. Snakes are treated with reverence in Eastern culture. Snakes can penetrate hard-to-reach places, which means they possess secret knowledge and find solutions to complex issues. The green color symbolizes harmony and tranquillity. Therefore, we should expect that the year will be like its mistress - wise and creative. The Wooden Snake acts clearly and without error. This is due to the fact that it tends to concentrate on a single problem or goal, carefully thinks through its steps to success, avoids untested methods. She is unhurried, pedantic and thoughtful.

The snake is one of the oldest totems of the Chinese people. According to legends, Nyuwa (Chinese: 女娲), one of the great goddesses of the Chinese (Taoist) pantheon, the creator of mankind, the rescuer of the world from the flood, the goddess of matchmaking and marriage, had the body of a snake and the head of a man. Even nowadays in China it is believed that a snake found in the yard brings good luck. The year under the sign of the Wooden Snake should not bring us major disappointments, because it closely monitors that everything that happens around does not disturb its tranquillity and does not interfere with its freedom. Add to this the green color as a symbol of harmony, peace and growth.

The snake is the most mysterious animal in the Chinese zodiac. In China, it is called a small dragon and is considered very fearful. It is believed that people born in the year of the Snake are characterized by intelligence and caution. Snake can muster up its strength and strike the enemy instantly. But more often Snake is peaceful and lenient. Strengths of the Wood Snake: honesty, absence of conflict and kindness; and its weaknesses - mercenariness and reserved demeanor.

The Year of the Wooden Snake is the best time to develop and strengthen relationships, both personal and professional. One can expect new opportunities and chances that will help in achieving assigned task.

A themed album featuring items with the image of the Snake, the symbol of the coming year, is posted in the museum Photo Gallery.