- Avarna Jain,
Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media
The Year Of The Snake Is Making Its Presence Feel In Our Wardrobes
Brands can never get enough of the serpentine, and neither can we!
In 1968, María Félix commissioned Cartier to craft a fully articulated snake necklace, dazzling with 2,473 diamonds. This iconic 57-cm creation remains a landmark in high jewellery design.Cartier
If you enjoy astrology as much as we do, y’all must be aware of Chinese zodiac signs and how we’re living in the Year of the Snake in 2025. For the uninitiated, the Chinese calendar is based on a 60-year cycle made of the 60 possible combinations of the five main elements in the Chinese Five Elements Theory (namely, wood, fire, earth, metal and water). 2025 is the Year of the Snake, specifically the wood snake. The Universe is believed to present us with many opportunities for self-growth and building a long-lasting foundation.
While the Chinese zodiac calendar inspires events in our lives, it also serves as an inspiration to brands and designers all around the world. Renowned labels, like Gucci, have launched limited-edition collectibles to celebrate the onset of the new lunar year. The snake is also a motif that has been a muse for artists and designers over the years.
History Of The Serpent
Bvlgari was the first maison to introduce the iconic serpent motifBvlgari/ Instagram
The fascination with the snake, or serpent, as an artistic muse dates to ancient Greece and Egypt. The Uraeus, a snake emblem, adorned the crowns of the pharaohs, representing their protection. In ancient Greece and during the time of Rome, snakes were linked to healing. The Greek god Apollo had a son named Asclepius, who became the deity of medicine. Asclepius wielded a staff entwined with a snake, a design that remains a symbol in the medical and healthcare fields even today. Conversely, Medusa is also often depicted as a monstrous figure with snakes for hair.
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You may believe that today the beauty of nature is always showcased in timepieces and jewellery... But there are fewer motifs as enduring as the serpent. A symbol of strength, wisdom and love—it reached new heights by the 19th century. This was when Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was shaped an 18-carat gold ring in the form of a snake wrapping around her finger.
Elizabeth Taylor in the movie Cleopatra Wikimedia Commons
In fact, Bulgari designed its first-ever Serpenti watch in 1948. It was one of the first few jewellers back then to make the snake an important part of their identity. In 1962, Elizabeth Taylor, on the set of Cleopatra in Rome, adorned a serpenti diamond watch.
The Snake In 2025
One of the creations by Cartier inspired by the sinuous snakeCartier
Today, numerous brands are creating their own iterations of the serpentine. Until recently, even legacy maisons such as Dior, Tiffany & Co., and Longines have created special snake-themed watches to welcome in the 2025 Lunar New Year. It really has become for the modern aesthete, making its way into everyone’s wardrobe.
Swifties would attest to the artistic and sartorial relevance of the snake. Aside from being a prominent fixture during Taylor Swift’s 'Reputation' era, the serpent made its way on many of her style choices too. For instance, while (virtually) accepting her ‘Tour of the Century’ award at the iHeartRadio Music awards, she wore a diamond snake necklace from Jacquie Aiche. In a Paper Mag interview she said, “A couple of years ago, someone called me a snake on social media, and it caught on. And then a lot of people called me a lot of names on social media.
Cut to 2025, if you would have noticed on your feeds many trying the more pocket-friendly version of the serpentine in the form of a malleable necklace that turns into whatever you wish for it be (necklace, waist chain, headband, and even a bracelet), often is seen in sinuous versions.
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Ahead, we present a curation of our favourite timepieces and jewellery that’s sure to make you go oh, so cool and will also make for great, timeless presents for yourself, your wife or even your girlfriend.
Snake-Inspired Pieces To Add To Your Collection
Just Cavalli Speranza Watch Just Cavalli
Dior Grand Soir Year of the Snake 36mm in stainless steel and rose gold with diamondsChristian Dior
Harry Winston Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm in rose gold with diamonds, emeralds, spessartite garnets and green sapphiresHarry Winston
Bvlgari Serpenti 18 kt yellow gold necklace set with demi pavé diamonds and black onyx eyesBvlgari
Bluestone The Snake PendantBluestone
Louis Vuitton Escale Cabinet of Wonders Snake's JungleLouis Vuitton
Tribe Amrapali Serpent Head Shiva Front Back EarringsTribe Amrapali
Raf The Label Fine Jewellery 14k Gold Diamond And Ruby Snake RingRaf The Label Fine Jewellery
Longines Conquest Heritage Year Of The Snake EditionLongines
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Snake Necklace in Sterling SilverTiffany & Co.
Boucheron Serpent Bohème RingBoucheron
Marc Jacobs Gold Squiggly Snake Pendant NecklaceMarc Jacobs
Chloé Snake chokerChloé
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