# Celebrate the Year of the Snake
Happy Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Snake! Lunar New Year is the celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year - based on the lunar calendar and a solar year.
The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways and on different dates. Some people celebrate for a day, others for an entire week (or two)! The most well-known and biggest celebrations occur in China, Vietnam, Korea, and other Asian countries. But it's also celebrated by diaspora communities around the world, including families here on the First Coast.
The Snake is one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac, though it extends beyond Chinese culture. Those born in the "Year of the Snake" (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025) are said to do whatever it takes to accomplish a goal! They are often associated with intelligence, resilience and love. How cool is that?
Jacksonville Public Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us!
