A few days ago, the Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek astonished the world with an unexpected breakthrough in AI technology. The Chinese startup introduced an AI model called R1 which demonstrated its ability to directly compete with OpenAI’s O1 at a significantly lower cost. This revelation caught many by surprise, particularly in the West, where there had been considerable scepticism about China’s technological capabilities. The repercussions were profound: DeepSeek’s app swiftly soared to the top of Apple’s App Store, tech stocks plummeted and both the US President Donald Trump and OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman even commented on DeepSeek’s emergence and the broader implications for the AI industry.
[There are some hyperlinks at the bottom of this page explaining why DeepSeek took many people by surprise in the West.]

I downloaded the application from Google Play on 31st January and I have experimented with it a little, but very far from extensively. Here is a set of questions I asked DeepSeek’s chatbox this morning, after having read the following comment on RT two days earlier:
Cassiopeia
1/29/2025 at 9:50 AM
It’s small private company with few hundreds employees behind deep seek, in China there are thousands companies on this scale working on similar and hundreds larger ones. Imagine what’s is going on state level or military labs. Chinese are leaders in AI for quite long already. Year of snake will be interesting!
OpenAI founder admits China’s DeepSeek is ‘impressive’ -- RT World News

As my copy of the Dictionary of Chinese Symbols is in a carrier bag or in a box somewhere in the cellar, I decided to test DeepSeek with the following:

The name of a dictionary of Chinese symbols written by a German author

The dictionary you’re referring to is likely "Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought" by Wolfram Eberhard, a German scholar of Chinese culture and folklore. This book is a comprehensive guide to the symbolic meanings of various elements in Chinese culture, including animals, plants, colours, numbers and everyday objects. It provides insights into how these symbols are used in Chinese art, literature and daily life.

Eberhard’s work is widely regarded as an essential reference for understanding the rich symbolic traditions of Chinese culture. If you’re looking for a detailed exploration of Chinese symbolism, this is an excellent resource! Let me know if you’d like more information.


What does he say about the snake in his book?

In Wolfram Eberhard’s Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought, the snake (蛇, shé) is discussed as a symbol with multiple layers of meaning in Chinese culture. Eberhard highlights the snake’s dual nature, representing both positive and negative attributes. Here’s a summary of what he says about the snake:

1. Negative connotations
   -  Danger and deceit: The snake is often associated with danger, cunning and deceit. Its ability to move silently and strike quickly makes it a symbol of treachery and hidden threats.
   - Evil spirits: In Chinese folklore, snakes are sometimes linked to evil spirits or demons. They are seen as creatures that can bring harm or misfortune.
   - Feminine seduction: The snake is also associated with seduction and temptation, particularly in stories where snake spirits (like the White Snake) take on human form to deceive or enchant.

2. Positive connotations
   - Wisdom and longevity: The snake is a symbol of wisdom and intelligence due to its ability to adapt and survive. It is also associated with longevity, as snakes shed their skin, symbolising renewal and immortality.
   - Healing and medicine: In traditional Chinese medicine, snake venom and other parts of the snake are used for healing purposes. The snake is thus connected to health and vitality.
   - Yin energy: The snake is often linked to yin energy, representing the feminine, passive and mysterious aspects of nature. It is seen as a creature of the earth and water, embodying the hidden forces of the natural world.

3. Mythological and cultural significance
   - The White Snake Legend: Eberhard discusses the famous Chinese legend of the White Snake (Bai She Zhuan), where a snake spirit transforms into a beautiful woman and falls in love with a human. This story reflects the snake’s dual nature as both a dangerous and compassionate being.
   - Zodiac symbol: The snake is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be wise, intuitive and graceful but also enigmatic and reserved.

4. Symbolism in art and literature
   - Artistic depictions: Snakes are often depicted in Chinese art as coiled or intertwined, symbolising the cyclical nature of life and the universe. They are also shown with other symbols, such as the dragon or phoenix, to represent balance and harmony.
   - Literary themes: In Chinese literature, snakes are used as metaphors for transformation, mystery and the unknown. They appear in myths, folk tales and poetry as both benevolent and malevolent figures.

Eberhard’s analysis of the snake in Chinese culture emphasises its complexity and the interplay between its positive and negative meanings. If you’d like more specific details or quotes from the book, let me know!


Now how to reconcile this with 2025 being the year of the snake?

Reconciling the symbolism of the snake in Chinese culture with 2025 being the Year of the Snake involves understanding how the snake’s dual nature -- both positive and negative -- plays into its role in the Chinese zodiac and its significance for the year. Here’s how you can reconcile these aspects:

1. The Snake in the Chinese zodiac
   - Positive traits: In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, intuition, grace and intelligence. People born in the Year of the Snake are often seen as deep thinkers, strategic planners and charismatic individuals. These traits align with the snake’s positive symbolism of wisdom and renewal.
   - Negative traits: At the same time, the snake’s zodiac sign can also reflect its more enigmatic and reserved qualities. Snakes are sometimes perceived as secretive or overly cautious, which ties into the snake’s association with mystery and hidden dangers.

For 2025, the Year of the Snake, these traits may influence the collective energy of the year. It could be a time for introspection, strategic planning and personal growth, but also a period where caution and discernment are necessary.

2. The Snake’s dual nature in 2025
   - Renewal and transformation: The snake’s ability to shed its skin symbolises renewal and transformation. In 2025, this could manifest as a year of significant change, growth and reinvention for individuals and societies. It may be a time to let go of old habits and embrace new opportunities.
   - Caution and adaptability: The snake’s association with danger and cunning reminds us to be vigilant and adaptable in 2025. It may be a year where challenges arise, but the snake’s wisdom and resourcefulness can help navigate them successfully.

3. Cultural and mythological influences
   - Legends and folklore: The Year of the Snake may bring to mind stories like the Legend of the White Snake, which emphasises themes of love, sacrifice and transformation. These stories can inspire people to seek deeper connections and embrace compassion in 2025.
   - Yin energy: As a symbol of yin energy, the snake represents receptivity, intuition and the hidden aspects of life. In 2025, this could encourage a focus on inner growth, emotional intelligence and balancing the unseen forces in our lives.

4. Practical implications for 2025
   - Personal growth: The Year of the Snake is an excellent time for self-reflection, learning and personal development. Embrace the snake’s wisdom by seeking knowledge and understanding.
   - Strategic planning: The snake’s strategic nature suggests that 2025 will favour careful planning and long-term thinking. Avoid impulsive decisions and focus on sustainable goals.
   - Health and healing: Given the snake’s connection to medicine and renewal, 2025 may be a year to prioritise health, wellness and healing practices.

5. Balancing the snake’s dual nature
   - Embrace the positive: Focus on the snake’s positive traits -- wisdom, grace and transformation -- to make the most of 2025. Use these qualities to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
   - Acknowledge the negative: Be mindful of the snake’s more challenging aspects, such as secrecy or potential deceit. Stay grounded, trust your intuition and avoid unnecessary risks.

In summary, the Year of the Snake in 2025 can be seen as a time of balance -- between wisdom and caution, transformation and stability and the seen and unseen forces in life. By embracing the snake’s dual nature, you can navigate the year with insight, adaptability and grace. If you’d like more specific advice or insights for 2025, let me know!


Why did DeepSeek take the world by surprise on 29th January 2025?

https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/01/how-deepseek-changed-future-aiand-what-means-national-security/402594/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/business/deepseek-owner-china-ai.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/china-deepseek-industrial-policy-ai/
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/what-deepseeks-breakthrough-says-and-doesnt-say-about-the-ai-race-with-china/

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/01/was-this-the-week-deepseek-started-the-slow-unwinding-of-the-ai-bet
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/02/deepseek-ai-veil-of-mystique-tech-bros-fear
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/01/deepseek-chatgpt-grok-gemini-claude-meta-ai-which-is-the-best-ai-assistant-we-put-them-to-the-test

Correction (a couple of hours later):
I have amended the last words of the first paragraph in my entry as a result of some confusion on my part.
On 22nd January, the US President Donald Trump did indeed speak with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman by telephone ahead of Trump’s AI infrastructure announcement, but they did not speak again together following the release of DeepSeek’s AI model RI.
Previously, my first paragraph ended with ‘even US President Donald Trump had a meeting with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman to discuss the broader implications’. It now reads ‘both the US President Donald Trump and OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman even commented on DeepSeek’s emergence and the broader implications for the AI industry’.
Source:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/trump-openai-ceo-weigh-deepseek-frenzy

Lausanne, the above was published on the second day of the second month of the year two thousand and twenty-five.