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Updated 2026-06-25

The Metal Snake Year

What it means to be born in a Metal Snake year in the Tibetan-Mongolian (zurkhai) tradition — the Snake's nature shaped by the element of Metal. tradition

Metal Snake years: 1941, 2001. The next Metal Snake year is 2061.

The Snake

Wise, intuitive, private and elegant. The Snake is one of the twelve animal signs (jil) that, paired with the five elements, make up the 60-year cycle.

The element of Metal

Metal governs discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve; its season is autumn and its direction is the west. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Metal Snake: the blend

A Snake born in a Metal Snake year carries the Snake's nature — wise, intuitive, private and elegant — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Years of the Metal Snake

1941turns 85 in 2026
2001turns 25 in 2026

Frequently asked

What years are Metal Snake years?
The Metal Snake pairing falls on 1941, 2001 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Metal Snake year like?
A Snake born in a Metal Snake year carries the Snake's nature — wise, intuitive, private and elegant — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.
How does the Tibetan element–animal cycle work?
Tibetan astrology overlays a 12-year cycle of animals with a 5-element cycle (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element governs two consecutive years, so 12 animals × 5 elements form a 60-year cycle before the same animal+element pairing repeats. Every year therefore carries both an animal and an element — 2026 is the Fire Horse. The system blends indigenous Bon astrology, Chinese-derived element/animal astrology, and Indian Kalachakra star astrology.

The Snake in the other elements

Wood Snake Fire Snake Earth Snake Water Snake

More on the Snake sign → · What is zurkhai? →

Animal/element traits and yearly outlooks are presented as traditional belief, not fact, and vary between astrologers and lineages.