BEIJING -- As Spring Festival ushers in the Year of the Snake, China is flooded with auspicious representations of the hissing, scaly reptile, from pythons coiling around gold ingots to serpents with chubby faces and fluffy bodies.

This year's Spring Festival is the first since being added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in December 2024. The recognition has sparked excitement, boosting the festive atmosphere long before the holiday officially begins on Jan 28, the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Amid the festive cheer, the snake -- a symbol that carries intricate cultural significance in both Eastern and Western traditions -- is shaking off its negative connotations and taking on a more auspicious and celebratory role.

The snake comes sixth in the 12-animal rotation used by the Chinese to represent the year, following the loong and preceding the horse. Others in the zodiac include rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, sheep/goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this Year of the Snake is a leap year, making it a super-long year with a total of 384 days. This year's Spring Festival holiday, traditionally lasting seven days, has been extended by an additional day.