Year of the Snake - 2013 4.1.2013

2013 in the Chinese New Year is the Year of the Snake, which begins on February 10, 2013 and ends on January 30, 2014.  The Snake, also called Junior Dragon, is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs.  Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve.  People born in the Year of the Snake are keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise. They are great mediators and good at doing business.  
Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in the Year of the Snake.

There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. According to Chinese astrology and belief, the traits of these zodiac animals not only shape the personalities of people born under the respective sign but also their lives and the events of the year. Apart from the Snake, the other Chinese zodiac animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

The intelligent, analytical and graceful Snake, sixth in the Zodiac Cycle, starts off yet another New Year on the Chinese zodiac calendar in 2013. Three graphic illustrations of this powerful Snake ushering in the new Lunar Year 2013 are shown in this set of stamps of 1st Local, 65c and $1.10 issued by Singapore.