If you’ve ever searched “蛇是什么号码” (what number is the snake), you’re probably trying to connect the Chinese zodiac Snake with a specific number—whether for astrology, lottery picks, or cultural symbolism. The short answer: in the standard Chinese zodiac cycle, the Snake is the 6th animal, so its core number is 6. But depending on the context—Chinese numerology, five elements, or even popular lottery games—the Snake can also be linked to numbers like 7, 8, 13, 29, 33, and more. In this guide, I’ll break down every important “snake number” so you know exactly what to use and why.

The Most Basic Answer: The Snake Is Number 6

In the traditional ordering of the Chinese zodiac, the animals appear in a fixed sequence: Rat (1), Ox (2), Tiger (3), Rabbit (4), Dragon (5), Snake (6), Horse (7), Goat (8), Monkey (9), Rooster (10), Dog (11), Pig (12). So when someone asks, “What number is the snake?” the simplest and most correct answer is 6. This is the number used for zodiac charts, fortune-telling, and basic astrology references. If you need a quick answer for a trivia game or a calendar lookup, go with 6.

What About the Year of the Snake? Associated Numbers

If you’re asking about the number for a specific Year of the Snake (e.g., 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989), that’s a different question. The Snake years repeat every 12 years. But in terms of a “lucky number” or “number of the snake,” astrology practitioners often look at the earthly branch for the Snake, which is the Zhi (巳). This branch is associated with the number 6 in the cycle of earthly branches, but also with the element of Fire and the direction of South. Some traditions assign the Snake to the number 7 because of its connection to the seventh earthly branch in some counting systems—though that’s less common.

Snake’s Lucky and Unlucky Numbers

In Chinese numerology (based on the person born in the Year of the Snake), certain numbers are considered more auspicious. These are:

• Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9, and 11
• Unlucky numbers: 1, 3, and 7

Wait—this may confuse you. If the Snake is number 6, why is 7 unlucky? Because the lucky/unlucky numbers for a zodiac sign are drawn from the five elements and yin-yang balance, not from the ordinal position. For Snake people, the element of Fire is strengthened by 2 (yin earth), 8 (earth), and 9 (fire). So these numbers are favoured for phone numbers, house numbers, and dates.Understanding 4D IBOX Odds: A Complete Guide for Smart Bettors Meanwhile, numbers like 1 and 3 are considered weakening or conflicting. Always know the context: ordinal position gives 6, personal lucky numbers give 2, 8, 9, 11.

Snake Numbers in Chinese Lottery and Gambling

This is the real reason many people search “snake is what number” in English or Chinese. In popular lottery systems (like Mark Six in Hong Kong), each Chinese zodiac animal is assigned specific numbers for betting.Understanding 4D IBOX Odds: A Complete Guide for Smart Bettors The Snake is commonly linked to the following numbers:

• 6, 18, 30, 42 (multiples of 12 plus the offset for Snake)
• In some systems, add numbers ending in 4 or 5 depending on the year’s element.

For instance, in the