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Verdant Serpent, Whispering Vines
木灵循岁



YEAR OF THE SNAKE

The Calendar Project_2025

This marks the fifth year of my ongoing calendar project based on the Chinese Zodiac animals. Unlike previous years, which primarily emphasized illustration, this year's design represents a transitional phase—one that thoughtfully integrates illustration, layout, typography, fabrication, and binding for a more holistic approach.






Considering the snake, one of the more fear-inducing animals in the Chinese Zodiac, the design draws inspiration from the term "Yi Si" (乙巳) in the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches system. The calligraphic forms of these characters are blended with the sinuous shape of a snake. In the binding, the design references the style of "dragon scale binding," avoiding a direct representation of the snake’s physical form. Instead, the intricate details of the snake only reveal themselves when the pages are turned.

The inner illustrations further elaborate on the snake’s form, incorporating the spirit of the Wood element associated with 2025. Plants grow along the snake’s silhouette, with branches and vines intertwining with its body.