The Transformation of Dragon and Serpent: Will the Year of Yisi Rewrite China's Fate?

On August 22, 2024, four suns suddenly appeared in Changping District, Beijing. (Screenshot from an online video)

[People News] The way of heaven follows a cyclical pattern, repeating endlessly. As is well known, 2025 marks another Yisi (乙巳) Year of the Snake in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. What is less understood is that within this ancient system of calendrical cycles lies a hidden historical code, rarely noticed by the general public. Scholars have discovered that in China's more than two-thousand-year history, since the beginning of the recorded calendar in the first year of the Gonghe era of the Western Zhou Dynasty (841 BCE), there have been 47 previous Yisi years. Among these, war broke out 23 times, significant reforms took place in 18 instances, and technological breakthroughs occurred 9 times. As the wheel of history turns to the 48th Yisi Year, what unprecedented upheavals will the ancient civilization of China encounter? Could the Chinese Communist regime truly fall at the hands of those born in the Year of the Snake?

Why is it said that humanity's fall is inseparable from the snake?

The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac and corresponds to the twelfth earthly branch 'Si'. This year, combined with the heavenly stem 'Yi', marks the 'Yi Si' Year of the Snake. The snake's inclusion in the zodiac is rooted in an ancient folk legend. According to the tale, the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan sought to select twelve animals to serve as palace guards, and the snake wished to join. However, at that time, it had no legs, so it attempted to borrow legs from a toad, which refused. In a moment of desperation, the snake cleverly tricked the toad into giving up its four legs and successfully secured a place among the chosen animals. Later, the Jade Emperor discovered the secret of the snake's legs and punished it by forcing it to shed the toad's legs, leaving the snake to slither from that point onward. Despite this, the snake managed to carve out a niche for itself among the twelve zodiac animals through its cunning and deceit.

In the enigmatic and profound 'Shan Hai Jing', the presence of the 'snake' is pervasive: the nine-headed, human-faced, snake-bodied Xiang Liu; the Ba snake, which can consume an elephant and regurgitates its bones three years later; the Suan Ni, resembling a snake but possessing four wings, six eyes, and three legs; the Qin Chong, which has a beast's head and a snake's body; and the Peng snake, characterized by its red head and white body, whose sound is akin to that of a cow... The most extraordinary is the Zhu Jiu Yin from the 'Da Huang Bei Jing', a colossal red snake that neither eats nor sleeps, spending all day in the clouds welcoming wind and rain. When it opens its eyes, it is daytime; when it closes them, it is nighttime.

As early as the Shang Dynasty, the image of the 'snake' appeared in oracle bone inscriptions. Interestingly, the character for snake created by the Shang people was a pictogram of the character 'Ta'. In this context, the Eastern Han linguist Xu Shen noted in 'Shuo Wen Jie Zi': 'Ta, a worm.' It is no surprise that people in the north also refer to snakes as 'Chang Chong'.

In China, numerous idioms, fables, anecdotes, and sayings portray snakes as insidious, cunning, vicious, and terrifying. For instance, the phrase '打草驚蛇' (dǎ cǎo jīng shé) is often used to metaphorically describe careless actions; '杯弓蛇影' (bēi gōng shé yǐng) reflects self-disturbance due to doubts; '虎頭蛇尾' (hǔ tóu shé wěi) describes situations where one fails to complete what they started; '蛇鼠一窩' (shé shǔ yī wō) illustrates the collusion of wrongdoers; and '毒蛇猛獸' (dú shé měng shòu) refers to animals that threaten human life.

Folk sayings such as '見蛇不打三分罪' (jiàn shé bù dǎ sān fēn zuì) and '打蛇要打七寸裡' (dǎ shé yào dǎ qī cùn lǐ) are also prevalent. In everyday life, the expression '人心不足蛇吞象' (rén xīn bù zú shé tūn xiàng) describes greed, while '一朝被蛇咬，三年怕井繩' (yī zhāo bèi shé yǎo, sān nián pà jǐng shéng) metaphorically conveys that after suffering, one becomes fearful. The 'Strategies of the Warring States' (《戰國策》) includes the story '畫蛇添足' (huà shé tiān zú), which illustrates how unnecessary actions can lead to failure. Liu Zongyuan's essay '捕蛇者說' (Bǔ shé zhě shuō) reveals that 'harsh governance is fiercer than a tiger', indicating that extortion and oppression can be even more severe than venomous snakes.

Additionally, there are derogatory terms that use snakes to insult people, such as '狐（狐貍）黃（黃鼠狼）白（刺蝟）柳（蛇）' (hú huáng bái liǔ), '蛇蠍心腸' (shé xiē xīn cháng), '蛇口蜂針' (shé kǒu fēng zhēn), '佛口蛇心' (fó kǒu shé xīn), and '強龍不壓地頭蛇' (qiáng lóng bù yā dì tóu shé). In the opera 'The Legend of the White Snake' (《白蛇傳》), the white snake spirit Bai Suzhen, who has cultivated for a thousand years and transforms into a human, seeks to extract the essence of humanity from Xu Xian. Ultimately, she is suppressed under Leifeng Pagoda by the monk Fahai, which metaphorically suggests that snakes are synonymous with cunning and evil.

It is widely known that on March 12, 1957, Mao Zedong, the former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), introduced the so-called 'Double Hundred Policy'—'Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend'—to 'draw out the snake from its hole.' This led to the labeling of over 3 million intellectuals (officially recognized by the CCP as 550,000) as various types of rightists. Following this, on June 1, 1966, the People's Daily, the CCP's official newspaper, published an editorial titled 'Sweep Away All Cow Demons and Snake Spirits.' This incited the Red Guards to target capitalist roaders nationwide, including Xi Zhongxun, the father of the current CCP leader Xi Jinping, who was publicly denounced and paraded as a 'cow demon and snake spirit' during the Cultural Revolution.

In Western culture, there is an ancient Roman saying, 'A snake hidden in the grass,' which signifies a concealed danger and has evolved to suggest that there is more beneath the surface. Additionally, in ancient Greece, Aesop's Fables features a well-known story called 'The Farmer and the Snake,' which serves as a reminder to kind-hearted individuals that the malicious nature of a snake will never change, and that excessive compassion for evil is a form of self-neglect.

In both public and official contexts, whether in the East or the West, the 'snake' is often viewed as a symbol of indifference, ruthlessness, and disloyalty, typically carrying a negative connotation. However, in certain cultures, snakes are revered as totems. In ancient Egypt and Europe, snakes represented the state and authority; in India, they are highly venerated, with many snake temples scattered throughout the country. The snake festival, celebrated in July and August each year, is a time for Hindus to express their devotion to the snake god. The emblem of the World Health Organization features a snake coiled around a staff, which is believed to be linked to the son of the Greek sun god and the story of Moses's exodus from Egypt. In contrast to the saying 'nurturing a snake to become a dragon,' the phrase 'the snake's gratitude' refers to a tale where an injured snake, once saved, rewards its rescuer with a pearl. Additionally, expressions like 'the pen moves like a dragon and snake' are commonly used to describe the dynamic and powerful nature of calligraphy, characterized by lively and expansive brush strokes.

The 'Records of the Grand Historian: The House of the Empress' states: 'A snake can transform into a dragon without altering its markings; a family can evolve into a nation without changing its surname.' It is said that through prolonged practice, a snake can indeed become a dragon, which is why they are sometimes referred to as little dragons. The Buddhist guardians known as the 'Four Heavenly Kings' are responsible for ensuring 'favorable winds and timely rains,' with the Western King, Guangmu Tianwang, depicted with a snake wrapped around him. The sword bearer symbolizes wind; the pipa player represents harmony; the umbrella holder signifies rain; and the snake bearer embodies order. In Taoism, the 'Northern Deity' Zhenwu Dadi stands atop the tortoise and snake generals, who are protectors subdued by Zhenwu under the command of the Primordial Beginning to vanquish demons and monsters; Xuanwu is also recognized as one of the four guardian beasts alongside Qinglong, Baihu, and Zhuque.

To explore the connection between snakes and the origins of humanity in both Eastern and Western cultures, the Eastern Han text "Fengsu Tongyi" notes that after Pangu created the heavens and the earth, the goddess Nüwa fashioned humans from clay. Nüwa is depicted as having a human face and a snake body, with the upper half being human and the lower half being a snake. This design reflects the belief that humans were created in the image of the gods, which is why only humans on Earth possess a divine likeness and have the potential for spiritual cultivation and enlightenment.

In the Western tradition, the "Bible: Genesis" recounts that Jehovah created the first humans, Adam and Eve, in His own image. It was the snake that tempted Eve and Adam to disobey God's command by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, resulting in their punishment and expulsion to the mortal world. Consequently, in Western thought, the snake is often seen as the embodiment of Satan (the devil).

In summary, humans were created by God rather than evolving from monkeys; their true essence is believed to come from above. The fall of humanity is closely tied to the snake's temptation, suggesting that the snake played a pivotal role in altering human destiny.

What significant events transpired in the Year of the Snake that reshaped the course of national fortunes?

Let us delve into history to uncover the major events that occurred over the past two millennia during the Year of the Snake, often referred to as a "turning point in national fortune."

[496 BC: Lying on Fire and Tasting Gall] King Goujian of Yue cleverly defeated King Helu of Wu, who suffered fatal injuries in the battle. This conflict marked a critical turning point in the rivalry between Wu and Yue, and King Goujian ultimately restored his state and vanquished Wu through the strategy of "lying on fire and tasting gall."

[256 BC: The Fall of the Zhou Dynasty] King Zhaoxiang of Qin dispatched troops to seize the Eastern Zhou royal city, prompting King Nan of Zhou to surrender without resistance. This event marked the end of the 800-year Zhou Dynasty and heralded the rise of a unified Qin Dynasty.

【In the first 16 years, Wang Mang was enfeoffed】At the age of 30, Wang Mang, a prominent figure from the Western Han dynasty, was granted the title of Marquis of Xindu by the court, which set the stage for his eventual usurpation of the Han dynasty. Legend has it that Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, was obstructed by a four-meter-long python while leading a rebellion at Mangdang Mountain. After consuming alcohol, Liu Bang swung his sword and cleaved the snake in two. Subsequently, the Han dynasty's 400 years of rule was divided into 200 years of Western Han and 200 years of Eastern Han. The individual who altered this historical trajectory was none other than Wang Mang, believed to be the reincarnation of that python.

【In 165, the Antonine Plague】The political landscape during the Eastern Han dynasty was fraught with turmoil due to the Party Strife. Concurrently, the Roman Empire experienced another outbreak of plague as a result of the persecution of Christians, leading to the deaths of two Roman emperors and an estimated 5 to 10 million people. The military faced near-total annihilation, pushing the once-mighty superpower that spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa towards disintegration. This plague not only represented a pivotal moment in the fate of the Roman Empire but also significantly impacted the future of Christianity.

【In 225, the Seven Captures of Meng Huo】During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu Han, led a southern campaign. He employed the strategy of 'winning hearts' through the 'seven captures and seven releases of Meng Huo', ultimately quelling the rebellion in Nanzhong. This not only eliminated potential threats to Shu Han but also eased concerns regarding northern military expeditions.

【In 525, the Anno Domini calendar】Christian theologian Dionysius proposed establishing the birth of Jesus as the starting point for the Anno Domini calendar, thereby laying the groundwork for this dating system.

【In 645, Xuanzang returns from his pilgrimage】In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era, the esteemed Tang monk Xuanzang journeyed to the West to acquire Buddhist scriptures. After an arduous eleven-year journey filled with challenges, he returned to the capital, where Emperor Taizong of Tang personally welcomed him in Luoyang, significantly enhancing the spread and flourishing of Buddhism in the East.

The 705 AD Shenlong Coup, also referred to as the Shenlong Revolution, took place on the 22nd day of the first month in the first year of Shenlong. Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhong and others launched a military coup, supporting Crown Prince Li Xian (Tang Zhongzong) in reclaiming the throne from Wu Zetian. This event marked the fall of the Wu Zhou dynasty and the restoration of the Li Tang dynasty.

In April 1305, during the Yiyou day, a significant earthquake struck the Datong Road area of the Yuan dynasty, producing a sound reminiscent of thunder. Historical records indicate that this earthquake "destroyed over five thousand homes belonging to officials and civilians, resulting in the deaths of more than two thousand people; in Huairen County, two locations experienced ground fissures, and black water surged forth, carrying away decayed wood from pine and cypress trees."

On May 28, 1605, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Qiongshan, Hainan Island, Guangdong, during the 33rd year of the Ming Wanli era. Many villages in the Qiongzhou Strait sank into the sea. This earthquake was characterized by the vertical subsidence of the entire affected area, with land subsidence covering over 100 square kilometers, a rare occurrence in both domestic and international seismic history.

The 1665 AD Beijing Earthquake struck on the second day of the third month in the fourth year of the Kangxi era, causing countless buildings to collapse, including around a hundred sections of the sturdy city walls. Following this event, aftershocks occurred daily for three days, leaving many citizens homeless and forced to sleep on the streets.

In February 1725, during the third year of the Yongzheng era, the Nian Gengyao Case emerged alongside a celestial phenomenon described as "the sun and moon in conjunction, five stars in alignment." Nian Gengyao mistakenly wrote the congratulatory message "morning vigilance and evening diligence" as "evening sun and morning vigilance," leading to his being charged with ninety-two major crimes and ordered to commit suicide. This incident marked the first case of literary inquisition during the Yongzheng dynasty.

【1845: The Rise of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom】In 1845, Britain established the first modern concession in Shanghai, China, marking a deepening of Western powers' encroachment on China. In the same year, Hong Xiuquan began his missionary work in Guangxi, leading to the quiet rise of the God Worshipping Society. The Taiping Rebellion became a significant turning point in the decline of the Qing Dynasty.

【1905: The Founding of the Tongmenghui】The Tongmenghui was founded in Tokyo, where Sun Yat-sen publicly proposed the Three Principles of the People for the first time, marking a revolutionary event that would change the fate of modern China. The Russo-Japanese War ended in Russia's defeat, officially elevating Japan to the ranks of world powers. Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity, ushering in a new era in physics. The Qing government abolished the imperial examination system, which had lasted for over 1,300 years, signaling the end of the ancient educational system. This series of monumental changes ultimately led to the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, which successfully overthrew the Qing Dynasty and ended thousands of years of imperial rule in China.

【1965 Review of 'Hai Rui Dismissed from Office'】On November 10, 1965, the Shanghai newspaper 'Wenhui Bao' published an article by Yao Wenyuan titled 'Review of the New Historical Play “Hai Rui Dismissed from Office”'. This article received support from Mao Zedong and became a catalyst for the Cultural Revolution.

Currently, another cycle of the Chinese zodiac has arrived, and the chosen one, Donald Trump (Chuan Pu), has officially taken office, poised to reshape the global landscape. So, what earth-shattering changes might this Year of the Snake (Yi Si) bring to China's political situation?

Will the authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fall at the hands of a person born in the Year of the Snake?

The Year of the Snake is often referred to as a 'year of transformation'. The physiological phenomenon of snakes shedding their skin multiple times a year is seen as a symbol of rebirth and change, representing self-transformation and renewal.

Earlier this year, there has been much discussion both domestically and internationally about the prophecy of 'the snake beginning and ending'. This article offers two interpretations: one suggests that the origins of humanity are related to the snake, and its end may also be connected to the snake; the other posits that the CCP's dictatorial regime began with a leader born in the Year of the Snake and may also end with a leader born in the Year of the Snake. Interestingly, in 1949, after the Chinese Communist Party seized power from the Republic of China government, the first party leader, Mao Zedong, was born in the Year of the Snake, and the current leader, Xi Jinping, is also born in the Year of the Snake.

As the saying goes, 'Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.' After the CCP was established, the place Mao Zedong visited most frequently and stayed the longest, aside from Wuhan, was Hangzhou, where he made over forty visits. Mao's first trip to Hangzhou was at the end of 1953, where he stayed for 77 days. The famous tale 'The Legend of the White Snake,' well-known among Chinese women and children, is set at West Lake in Hangzhou, which may explain why Mao, who was born in the Year of the Snake, referred to Hangzhou as 'my second hometown.'

'Great rivers, great lakes, great Wuhan' is also one of the places that Mao, a snake-born, cherished visiting. He referred to it as 'the place of white clouds and yellow cranes,' where the renowned Yellow Crane Tower stands atop Snake Hill in Wuchang. Throughout his life, Mao visited Wuhan 48 times and traveled along the Yangtze River 43 times. He celebrated three of his birthdays and two Lunar New Years in Wuhan, with his longest stay lasting six months, which led to the East Lake Guesthouse being dubbed 'the Zhongnanhai of Hubei.'

Xi Jinping (習近平), the current leader of the Chinese Communist Party, was born in the Year of the Snake, and his rise to power began in Fujian, abbreviated as 'Min'. According to the 'Shuowen Jiezi', 'Min' refers to 'Southeast Yue, the breed of snake.' The snake is considered a totem by the people of Fujian. Xi's place of prominence, however, is Zhejiang, where the famous love story between the snake spirit Bai Suzhen (白素貞) and Xu Xian (許仙) unfolds in Hangzhou. Consequently, many of Xi's close associates belong to the 'Fujian Gang' and 'Zhejiang Gang'. Nevertheless, this snake spirit, which has cultivated for a millennium, was ultimately subdued by the high monk Fahai (法海) of Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, where it remains trapped beneath Leifeng Pagoda.

A poem from the Tang Dynasty, 'Huangbo Chanshi Shi', contains the prophecy: 'Just arrived, the golden snake's fortune has ended.' Analysis by overseas media suggests that this implies that with the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the Communist regime's favorable days are numbered, and its downfall is imminent.

Craig Hamilton-Parker, a British psychic who accurately predicted Donald Trump's election, forecasts that China will experience significant upheaval in 2025, leading to 'internal strife.' He also predicts that economic challenges will spark social unrest, prompting many to resist the Communist Party and increasing calls for Xi Jinping's resignation.

The 'I Ching' states: 'Observe the celestial phenomena to understand the changes of the times.' In 2025, it will still be the 49th hexagram of the I Ching, 'Zehua Ge' (泽火革), which symbolizes change and innovation. The upper trigram of this hexagram is Dui, representing marsh, while the lower trigram is Li, symbolizing fire. This suggests a conflict between water and fire, with fire consuming joint operations; virus mutations and rampant epidemics; upheavals in the heavens and earth; volcanic eruptions and raging tsunamis…

Astronomers forecast that around February 28, a rare celestial event known as the "Seven Stars Alignment" will take place in the solar system. If this alignment occurs near the Big Dipper, it is often linked to major events such as the "transfer of heavenly mandate" or "change of emperors." Besides the upcoming Seven Stars Alignment, another noteworthy celestial event is the total lunar eclipse, which will happen on March 14 and from September 7 to 8. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai famously wrote: "The toad eats the round shadow, the bright night is already fading." Consequently, ancient people referred to the lunar eclipse as "toad eating the moon" or "heavenly dog eating the moon," viewing it as a bad omen.

This year also marks the zodiac year of the snake for Xi Jinping (Xi Jinping). In traditional customs, a zodiac year is often considered inauspicious due to its conflict with the Tai Sui. Additionally, Xi is known by various nicknames, including "General Accelerator," "Scapegoat Hero," and "Emperor of Incomplete Projects." It is clear that since Xi took office twelve years ago, particularly since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, he has taken personal charge of all matters, consistently ignoring divine warnings and missing numerous golden opportunities. He insists on leading the corrupt party down a reckless path, charging headlong towards a dead end. How could he possibly "snake through a thousand miles"?!

Of course, "Evil people fear others, but heaven does not fear; good people are deceived by others, but heaven does not deceive." When the final judgment comes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be held accountable for the staggering blood debt of 80 million lives lost, the atrocious crime of harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners, and the grave responsibility for concealing the CCP virus pandemic. All of this will fall on the shoulders of the current party leader. As the saying goes, "Heaven has a path you do not take, hell has no door you insist on entering."

In conclusion, the year of Yisi is characterized as a year of 'heavenly mandate.' In the context of the five elements, 'Yi' represents yin wood, which symbolizes gentleness and growth. This suggests that newly sprouted plants can flourish and grow robustly as long as they adapt to their new environment. The term 'si' originally refers to a fetus, symbolizing the nurturing of life and vitality, and also embodies the concepts of the interplay between yin and yang, as well as the transition from the old to the new. Together, these elements signify a profound transformation and a reversal of fortunes. This implies that although the Chinese Communist Party's time has come to an end and its fortunes have waned, heaven still possesses the benevolence to grant life and wishes to provide a chance for those who are lost in confusion.

As noted in the 'Huangdi Yinfujing': 'Heaven unleashes the killing machine, dragons and snakes rise on land.' The year of Yisi is expected to bring both significant destruction and significant establishment, with many irredeemable beings facing the risk of elimination. At the same time, countless individuals who comprehend the truth and choose to 'withdraw from the Party' will soon experience a turnaround in their fortunes and be reborn. 

(First published by the People News)