Zu Tianli (Chinese, 20th C.) "Year of the Snake" Water color on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. The Chinese calendar, or Sheng Xiao, is a combination of symbolism and mathematical complexities. The Sheng Xiao possibly originated during the reign of Emperor Huang in 2637 B.C. Inscriptions of this system on animal bones have been excavated at the Yin Ruins of Anyang, Henan. Famous persons born under the Snake include Abraham Lincoln, Pablo Picasso and John F. Kennedy. People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Years of the Snake are: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013. Image Size: 12 x 11.75 in. Overall Size: 19.5 x 15.75 in. Unframed. (B11299)