2025 “Year of the Snake” Home Decor Patterns: "Sì Sì Ruyi, Shēng Shēng Bù Xī"

On November 29th, the China Central Radio and Television Station (CCTV) released the theme "Sì Sì Ruyi, Shēng Shēng Bù Xī" and the main logo for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala. The logo features two mirrored "Sì" characters, arranged symmetrically, resembling the traditional Chinese "ruyi" (a symbol of good fortune). The pairing of the two "Sì" characters is a creative and auspicious link between the Year of the Snake (Yǐ Sì) and the "ruyi," symbolizing the fulfillment of all wishes. It carries a festive and harmonious blessing for the country and its people, while highlighting the enduring vitality of the Chinese nation's spirit in the modern era.

Endless Prosperity / Fuxi and Nüwa

In ancient times, the snake was regarded as a divine creature, dwelling in the depths and capable of controlling rain and clouds, symbolizing good fortune. In Han Dynasty literature, the snake was seen as a symbol of procreation and life’s continuation. The legendary creator gods Fuxi and Nüwa from Chinese mythology are depicted as human-headed, snake-bodied figures. They are revered as the cultural ancestors of the Chinese people and are considered one of the Three Sovereigns. Fuxi and Nüwa, holding a square and a compass or supporting the sun and moon, together represent the harmony of Yin and Yang.

Endless Prosperity / Pán Huǐ (Coiled Snake) Pattern

The snake is also known as the small dragon, Yù Jīng Zǐ, or Huǐ. According to the Southern Dynasties' work Shù Yì Jì (Records of Strange Tales), it is said, “The Huǐ turns into a Jiao after five hundred years, a Jiao transforms into a dragon after a thousand years, and the dragon becomes a horned dragon after five hundred years, and after a thousand years, it becomes the Yinglong (Responding Dragon).” The Huǐ is considered the juvenile form of the dragon. The Pán Huǐ pattern, which appeared on bronzeware during the Spring and Autumn Period, features a coiled, serpentine shape, forming interconnected loops that create geometric designs. Some arrangements follow a two-way continuous pattern, while others form a four-way continuous motif. This coiled snake design, known as the Pán Huǐ pattern, was popular during the Spring and Autumn Period and continued into the Warring States Period. The character “Pán”, meaning to coil or wind, is a homophone for “Pàn” , and is similar in meaning to the “Qū”  of the twisting or bent motif, symbolizing a crouching, serpentine form.

Endless Prosperity / Pán Cháng (Endless Knot) Pattern

The Pán Cháng knot features intertwined lines that coil and loop back on themselves, connecting in a continuous, cyclical pattern that is both all-encompassing and infinite. This design corresponds to the Buddhist concept of "Yuan Yuǎn Liú Cháng, Shēng Shēng Bù Xī", which conveys the idea of an eternal, unbroken source and continuous life. The motif symbolizes prosperity, the continuity of descendants, wealth, good fortune, and a legacy passed down through generations. Due to its auspicious meaning, it is also known as the "Auspicious Knot" and was originally a sacred object in Buddhist rituals.

Endless Prosperity / Qián Wén (Coin Pattern)

The Qián Wén pattern is a decorative motif inspired by ancient coins, and it is a highly auspicious design. It symbolizes the attraction of wealth and treasures, great prosperity, and high status. The pattern is also associated with warding off disasters and bringing good fortune, making it a symbol of celebration and auspiciousness.

Endless Prosperity / Sì Sì Rú Yì (Double Auspicious Serpent) Pattern

In the 2025 Year of the Wood Snake (Yǐ Sì Year), the "Sì Sì Rú Yì" pattern series blends retro and modern aesthetics. This design intertwines key symbols from Chinese cultural heritage, such as the Pán Huǐ (Coiled Snake), Pán Cháng (Endless Knot), and Qián Wén (Coin Pattern), to create a harmonious fusion. The pattern aligns with the current pursuit of cultural and artistic values and can foster an elegant, timeless, and safe atmosphere in interior decor.