China has just welcomed the Lunar New Year of the Snake, and 2025 also marks the first “Intangible Cultural Heritage” Spring Festival. Many people celebrated the holiday by wearing Hanfu. After the New Year, many major Hanfu brands in China released new collections, featuring festive designs with auspicious meanings. A lot of these new pieces incorporate elements inspired by the Snake, in honor of the Snake Year.

Although snakes are often associated with danger, in China, the shape of the dragon is actually derived from the form of a snake. The myth of Fuxi and Nüwa, with their human heads and serpent bodies, the “Tengshe” (Flying Snake) among the Twelve Heavenly Deities, and the legend of the White Snake, all reflect the respect the Chinese people have for snakes. The act of shedding their skin symbolizes renewal and rebirth, and there’s a saying that “With the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the bad luck of previous years will fade away.”—perhaps this year, good luck will come our way.

In ancient times, people admired the snake for its agility and quick reflexes, and thus, the snake came to represent wisdom and prosperity, a symbol that continues to this day. Additionally, since these designs are meant to celebrate the New Year, the snakes in the designs are cute and non-threatening little creatures. So, feel free to enjoy the images without worry!

Shi San Yu — 灵蛇小财神 “The Little Snake of Wealth” Dress Set

This Hanfu design is inspired by the celebration of the Snake Year Spring Festival. It features an improved version of traditional Han elements, making it more practical and comfortable to wear. The rich brick-red and gold tones dominate the outfit, while the pink sleeves add a lively, youthful touch, brightening the complexion and exuding a sense of vitality and wealth.

The intricate embroidery and prints are spread across the garment, with the main theme being the image of a divine snake, accompanied by patterns like copper coin motifs, bats symbolizing “good fortune and prosperity,” and a treasure gourd. These designs represent the snake bringing fortune and wealth. With its rich details and intricate, ever-changing patterns, this piece is perfect for the festive atmosphere of the Snake Year.

The image above is the model display from the official Taobao website, while the image below features model Shen Yue in a styling look uploaded by Shisan Yu in their New Year promotional post, for reference.

 Brief Introduction to Patterns

• Copper Coin Pattern: Copper coins, which were used as currency in ancient times, symbolize wealth and prosperity. During the Chinese New Year, the copper coin pattern is often used to express wishes for financial success and a thriving career in the coming year, symbolizing “wealth flowing in” and “riches and honor.”

• Bat Pattern: In Chinese culture, bats are a symbol of “fortune” because the pronunciation of “bat” is similar to the word “fu” (福), which means happiness or good luck. The bat pattern represents “happiness” and “good fortune,” and especially during the New Year, it is used to wish family members and friends abundant blessings and good health for a long life.

• Gourd: In traditional Chinese culture, the gourd is often associated with “warding off evil” and “health.” The seeds inside the gourd are believed to protect the prosperity and longevity of descendants. Additionally, the gourd’s shape resembles the character for “mouth” (口), which is linked to the concept of “food fortune” (口福), signifying good luck and abundance. The use of gourds in New Year’s Hanfu symbolizes wishes for health, peace, and happiness for the family in the coming year.

Shi San Yu — 灵蛇守岁 “Spirit Snake Welcomes the New Year” Bi Jia Ma Mian Skirt Set

This Hanfu is also a standout piece from the Snake Year collection. The overall color scheme is similar to that of the “灵蛇小财神” (The Little Snake of Wealth), with brick red as the dominant color. However, the long sleeves of the top are softened with pink, giving it a more cute and youthful vibe. The front of the “比甲” (bi jia) features large gold-thread embroidery in the shape of a ruyi, while the skirt is adorned with patterns such as copper coin motifs, gourds, and flowers. In the center, a spirit snake wraps around a floral design, holding a gourd in its mouth, symbolizing good fortune and everything going smoothly in the coming year.

The cloud shoulder design is inspired by the shape of a “long life lock” (长命锁), and the outfit features numerous gold coin accessories. As you walk, the sound of the coins jingling resembles the sound of gold coins falling, making it a perfect symbol of wealth and prosperity for the New Year.

Brief Introduction to Patterns

• Long Life Lock: long life lock, is a traditional Chinese ornament, typically made of metal or gold and silver, shaped like an ancient lock. It became particularly popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to tradition, as long as a child wears this ornament, it will protect them from misfortune and evil, “locking” their life and ensuring safety. Many children are given this charm shortly after birth, and it is often worn during milestones like the 100-day or first birthday celebrations, with the lock being kept on until the child reaches adulthood.
• Check there to find more details on lock

Xi Yu Ji — 年年有余“Abundant Years”, Bi Jia Ma Mian Skirt Set

This Hanfu set combines elements such as auspicious clouds, palace lanterns, koi fish, copper coin patterns, and fireworks. The woven gold imitation floral fabric and embroidery craftsmanship highlight the intricate artistry. The entire set is crafted in a rich Chinese red, with a graceful and elegant skirt opening. It uses high-precision brocade satin technique, and the deep red skirt is relatively heavy with smooth pleat lines. The inner lining of the pipa sleeves is made of velvet, adding a luxurious touch. Bi jia (short sleeveless jacket）features an underlying copper coin pattern, making it a perfect choice for a New Year’s outfit.

Brief Introduction to Patterns

• Auspicious Clouds: In Chinese culture, auspicious clouds symbolize good fortune. Their soft, graceful form evokes peace and warmth. They often represent divine blessings and good luck, especially for the New Year, signifying a year filled with happiness, prosperity, and wealth.
• Palace Lantern: The palace lantern is a traditional decoration used during Chinese festivals, particularly at New Year. It symbolizes light, hope, and family unity. With its ornate design, it also represents a bright, prosperous year ahead, wishing for family success, career growth, and happiness.
• Koi Fish: The koi fish is closely tied to the idea of “surplus year after year” (年年有余) in Chinese culture. It symbolizes success, advancement, and prosperity, especially as the koi is known to leap over the Dragon Gate and become a dragon. Wearing koi patterns at New Year expresses hopes for a successful year full of good fortune and career growth.
• Fireworks: Fireworks are a symbol of joy and celebration during Chinese festivals, particularly during the Spring Festival. They represent wishes for a prosperous and healthy year ahead. The dazzling display also signifies the removal of bad luck and the welcoming of new beginnings, bringing hope and prosperity.

Yue Miao Jing — 瑞蛇献宝 “Lucky Snake Presents Treasures” Ma Mian Skirt Set

This Hanfu is themed around the Year of the Snake, celebrating the arrival of 2025. The primary color is a classic red, with elements of Chinese paper-cutting art incorporated, such as red peonies, pomegranates, peaches, and Buddha’s hands—fruits that symbolize good fortune. The design also includes snake and copper coin motifs, symbolizing prosperity and wealth in the Snake Year. The black edging is made from natural rabbit fur, and the embroidery features 1.1 million stitches, ensuring fine craftsmanship with dense, high-quality stitching and a firm texture.

Brief Introduction to Patterns

• Pomegranate: The pomegranate holds significant symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. With its many seeds, it represents “a house full of children” and the blessing of “more children, more fortune.” Traditionally, the pomegranate is seen as a symbol of family prosperity and the thriving of descendants. In the context of the “Sanxing” (福禄寿), the pomegranate stands for “fortune.”
• Peach: The peach is a dual symbol of “longevity” and “good fortune” in Chinese culture. In legend, the “immortal peach” is a food of the gods that grants eternal life. As a result, the peach is commonly used to symbolize longevity and good luck. In the “Sanxing” tradition, the peach represents “longevity.”
• Buddha’s Hand: Buddha’s Hand is a unique citrus fruit shaped like the outstretched fingers of a Buddha. It carries special symbolic meaning in Chinese culture, especially during the Spring Festival, where it is considered a symbol of wealth and good fortune, or a talisman for peace and safety. In the “Sanxing,” the Buddha’s Hand represents “prosperity.”

Chang Gong Yu — 蛇来运转 “good snake sweep away bad luck” Square collar overcoat with Ma Mian skirt

This Hanfu is also inspired by the snake motif. The chest area features a snake pattern embroidery symbolizing good luck, paired with elements like lychees, peonies, plum blossoms, lotus flowers, and peaches, all rich in meaning. The outfit is primarily in a vibrant red, complemented by a brocade fabric for the Ma Mian skirt. The Pipa sleeves are made from fabric printed with plum blossom patterns, while the square-collared jacket is crafted from plush velvet. The bright red color gives a warm, passionate feel, while the black adds an elegant touch, making it both stylish and cozy.

Brief Introduction to Patterns

• Lotus: In Chinese culture, the lotus symbolizes purity, nobility, and elegance. It grows from the mud without being tainted, representing cleanliness and flawless character. It is a symbol of integrity, refinement, and wishes for peace, purity, and harmony in the coming year. The lotus also represents rebirth and renewal, emerging from adversity into a better life.
• Lychee: Lychee is often seen as a symbol of “love” and “wealth” in traditional Chinese culture. Its sweet, rich flavor and nourishing qualities are associated with good fortune, happiness, and a prosperous life. It is commonly used to express wishes for both wealth and happiness in the coming year, symbolizing a fulfilling life, thriving career, and family harmony.
• Plum Blossom: The plum blossom is the first flower to bloom as winter transitions into spring, symbolizing resilience, courage, and hope. Its strong qualities are highly praised in Chinese culture, representing perseverance and vitality in the face of adversity.
• Peony: The peony, known as China’s “national flower,” is regarded as the “king of flowers.” It symbolizes wealth, honor, prosperity, and nobility. The peony conveys the vision of “wealth and glory” and not only represents family prosperity but also symbolizes career success and rising social status.

Q&A Section

1. What are your thoughts on the New Year Hanfu collection?
2. If it were a free gift, which Hanfu from the images would you like to receive the most?
3. According to Chinese tradition, which zodiac animal represents your birth year?