In addition to the cycle of animals, there are five elements associated with the Chinese zodiac - earth, fire, metal, wood, and water. Each animal sign has a fixed element - fire in the case of the snake - and a contrast with the yearly element may be cause for concern. Since this year is a water year, people who follow the Chinese zodiac believe we could be in for a tumultuous 2013.
The year of the snake directly follows the year of the dragon, and is considered to be not nearly as auspicious. The snake represents a time of change with a great flow in economic activity. People born in the year of the snake are considered to be intellectual though not very talkative. However, people born under a water sign love to socialize and make new friends. Money will come in easily but may flow out just as quickly without properly evaluating decisions.
