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The history of the Year of the Snake dates back over 5,000 years to ancient Chinese astronomical observations and cultural beliefs. Throughout different dynasties, the Snake year gained various interpretations and significance. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), the snake became associated with wisdom and medicine, while the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) saw it linked to imperial power. Today, the Year of the Snake is still celebrated worldwide. There are several Lunar-themed bullion collections with images celebrating the wisdom and intelligence of the snake.
Several sovereign and private mints issue Lunar Collections on an annual basis, with Perth Mint’s Lunar Series being among the oldest and most popular programs. First introduced in 1996, Perth Lunar Series started its third iteration in 2020 and follows the exact 12-year cycle of the Zodiac from the Year of the Rat to the Year of the Pig. Other examples include:
Across various programs, you’ll find Year of the Snake issues that offer a variety of different types of bullion collections. The most common options are gold and silver bullion coins, available in BU, proof, and colorized options in many collections. Other examples include cast bars, minted ingots, shaped coins, antique specimens, and even silver foils or notes.
The establishment of the Year of the Snake in the Great Race stems from Chinese mythology, where the Jade Emperor held a race to determine the zodiac calendar. The cunning snake, unable to match the speed of other animals, cleverly hid itself on the horse’s hoof. Just before crossing the finish line, the snake suddenly appeared, startling the horse and slithering ahead, securing sixth place in the race and thus becoming the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle.
The Year of the Wood Snake specifically occurs when the Snake year aligns with the Wood element in the Chinese five elements cycle, most recently in 2025 and previously in 1965. Wood Snakes are characterized as more flexible and less rigid than other Snake types, combining the snake’s inherent thoughtfulness with the wood element’s qualities of growth, creativity, and compassion. In traditional Chinese astrology, this combination creates individuals who are thought to possess strong intuition while maintaining warmth and approachability, making them natural healers, teachers, or counselors who can navigate complex situations with both wisdom and empathy.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Our customer service team at JM Bullion is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address. Please visit our Payment Methods page if you have questions about payment options and processes.
