Widely celebrated in China and cultures across Asia, Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays, marked by the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. This year, the celebration fell on January 29, and in accordance with the zodiac, 2025 ushered in the Year of the Snake.
Mary Maka (previously) ran with the motif in a new series of illustrations dedicated to the annual event, exploring character design and experimenting with a range of shapes. Combining botanical elements and an interest in animation, her dynamic creatures writhe and twist, sometimes incorporating plant-like traits like cacti spikes and flowers into serpentine compositions.
Of the twelve zodiac animals, the snake may be the most tenacious, associated with the element fire. People born under the sign are said to be resilient, intelligent, resourceful, and determined. Maka’s digital portraits capture various unexpected characteristics, from a fork-tongued green cat to a berry-tailed rattler.
Through humorous depictions of serpents shaped like cats, fruit, desert flora, and creatures out of science fiction, Maka embraces new ideas and juxtapositions. Still in draft form, additional vipers try on the guises of a genie, cowboy, and others.
See more on her website, Behance, and Instagram.
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