The Dragon rests again in deep spring,
The Snake moves on the high mountain.
That’s what it says in Chinese on the enclosed postcard, and that’s what happened on the night of 29 January.
What should we expect from the year of the Snake?
‘Transformation and love, of course!’ a folklorist friend wrote to us.
‘The Legend of the White Snake’ is one of the four best-known folk tales in China and has been recognised as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage since 2006. It has been filmed and adapted several times and can also be seen and heard as a traditional Chinese opera. The story contains everything for which the Snake is revered in China: ancient knowledge, love, wisdom, the ability to fight for what is right and overcome obstacles, fertility and the magical power to transform. This year, the power of the Snake is paired with the power of the Tree, so all aspects of growth and renewal are particularly strong.
In 2024, the Year of the Dragon, we recorded for the first time how Master-PEN (you can see him on the postcard), our companion in research and discovery, travels deep into time to learn more about ancient life and clothing in the 1st century AD.
You can find (and download) the story of our research and PEN’s journey (as a book and comics in English) here: https://doi.org/10.34780/qjpnnv63
Our Berlin team sends all best wishes to the BAP colleagues and their families in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Mayke and Pavel