Inka Drögemüller Deputy Director for Audience Engagement | The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
Inka Drögemüller Deputy Director for Audience Engagement | The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
The East Asian lunar calendar operates on a twelve-year cycle, with each year associated with one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. This system was introduced in the third century BCE and solidified by the first century CE. The sequence includes rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal is thought to represent specific traits reflected in individuals born during their respective years. On January 29, 2025, the Year of the Snake will commence. The snake is known for its attributes of alertness, calmness, and intelligence.
In celebration of this zodiac year, an exhibition titled "Celebrating the Year of the Snake" showcases a variety of works from the Museum's collection that highlight the snake's importance in Chinese culture. Featured items include a bronze ritual vessel from 3,000 years ago with a spout shaped by intertwined snakes' heads; a 13th-century pottery figure depicting a mischievously smiling snake; and an intricately painted porcelain cup from the 18th century illustrating a scene from “Legend of the White Snake,” which tells a tale of love between humans and mythical beings.
"The exhibition is made possible by the Joseph Hotung Fund."
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