As we step into 2025, we do so with the wisdom gained from the Year of the Dragon, a time of bold ambitions and great transformations. Now, we move forward into the Year of the Snake, bringing with us the lessons learned and the challenges faced, ready to embrace a new phase of resilience, strategy, and renewal. On January 29, the Lunar New Year marked not just a change in the zodiac, but an opportunity—a moment to pause, reflect, and refocus.
The Lunar New Year, a tradition that has carried across generations and continents, is a reminder that no matter how fast the world moves, there is always time to reconnect—with family, with community, with our own aspirations. Across Asia and beyond, families will gather for reunion dinners, share meals rich with symbolism, and honor customs that have stood the test of time. In these moments, we find the essence of what binds us together: shared history, shared hope, and shared purpose.
The transition from one year to the next is never just about turning a page—it’s about understanding what the last chapter taught us. The Year of the Dragon, with all its fire and energy, called for action, for courage, for taking big leaps. And now, the Year of the Snake invites us to move with wisdom, patience, and adaptability. In ancient Chinese culture, the snake represents intelligence and intuition, a reminder that progress is not always about force but about foresight. It is a call to be deliberate in our choices, to listen as much as we speak, to act with precision rather than impulse.
In the coming days, the world will celebrate in ways both grand and intimate. Fireworks will light up the sky, dragon and lion dances will fill city streets, and red envelopes will be exchanged as a sign of prosperity and goodwill. The Lantern Festival, which brings this season of renewal to a close, reminds us of the light we carry forward, the dreams we continue to chase, and the connections that sustain us.
Here in New Canaan, we can take this moment to reflect on what lies ahead. Maybe it’s recommitting to the resolutions that January 1st already tested. Maybe it’s setting new goals with greater clarity. Or maybe it’s simply recognizing that every day offers a fresh start if we have the discipline to seize it.
Those born under the Year of the Snake are known for their keen minds, their persistence, their ability to navigate complexity with grace. In a time that calls for resilience and understanding, these are qualities we can all strive to embody.
So as we welcome this new Lunar Year, let’s do so with intention. Let’s learn from what came before and step forward with purpose. The challenges ahead are real, but so is our capacity to meet them. The opportunities are great, but so is our responsibility to make the most of them. And no matter what, let’s remember that progress is not only just measured by what we achieve, but also by the thoughtfulness, the wisdom, and the kindness with which we move forward.
Happy Lunar New Year.
