The most celebrated of all Chinese festivities, the lunar new year is a time of gathering, cleansing, celebrating, feasting and renewing. The snake represents power and divinity, and is second only to the dragon in the mystical intrigue it holds for the Chinese. A prominent figure in ancient stories and legends, the snake may be good or evil. People born in the year of the snake are said to be deep thinkers, graceful, and soft-spoken.
Snakes learn fast, and can be prudent and shrewd in business.
Lunar new year preparations begin long before the actual date, and celebrations last for fifteen days. To avoid shame, misfortune, and the carrying-over of bad things into the new year, all debts are paid off before the year's end. And because good fortune favours a clean home, all families thoroughly clean their homes on the 28th of the month preceding the new year. Every home is decorated in ornate red papers and streamers bearing lucky phrases. Come New Year's Eve, families gather to enjoy a feast in which all the dishes have names suggesting good luck, long life and prosperity.