Albino king rat snakes are playing a central role in the preparations for the Lunar New Year.

In the White Snake Temple in Taoyuan City, a Taoist ceremony features these reptiles to usher in a peaceful Year of the Snake.

Albino snakes, commonly called white snakes in East Asia, are believed to bring peace and are considered an auspicious animal.

The temple was founded in the early 90s by Lo Chin-shih, a local logistics company owner.

Lo built the White Snake Temple as an act of gratitude to the divinities.

“The snake, in the oriental world, is also called the ‘little dragon’," Lo said.

"The snake is a symbol of auspiciousness. In the oriental world, it is a symbol that brings wealth. In the rest of the world, the snake represents peace. Just like the logo of the World Health Organization contains snakes. So, the snake is a meaningful animal.

“These white snakes are very docile. People can come (to the White Snake Temple) and put them around the neck for benediction. The snake will bring blessings and take bad luck away."

Michael Wu, a visitor at the temple says he was curious and felt drawn to visit the ahead of the Year of the Snake.

“I live nearby. I heard about this White Snake Temple in the past but never had the opportunity to visit. But I went out today, and it was probably fate, and I eventually came in to pray. I felt quite nice when I walked in here. The space here is not like other temples where you have to pray at many spots and walk to every corner. When I walked in here, I felt quite at ease. I felt very peaceful. I thought of praying here because the new Lunar New Year is the Year of the Snake.”

Wu says this is the first time he has a snake around his neck and found it uneasy at first.

“People usually think that snake are venomous and tend to bite. But I think this one is quite okay. I am getting used to it.”

Alongside the image of the snake, new year couplets on decorative signs are placed in households to promote a feeling of auspiciousness and positive energy.

Tang Ching, a calligrapher who draws snakes on the couplets signs he writes says: “The favourite couplets in the Year of the Snake are ‘The Snake dances in spring’. And the ‘dances in spring’ sounds like ‘having and saving lots of money’. So, it means that there will be lots of surplus in the Year of the Snake. It is also meaning that everyone could be full of joy during the New Year period.”

The Year of the Snake starts on 29 January 2025.