Every year we always bring new inspiration and new design. Following last year's MOD 007 HE Year of Dragon, which is the first in our Zodiac Series. This year we are introducing the limited edition Akko Year of Snake. Rooted in Chinese tradition—where every year is defined by a zodiac symbol—this release celebrates the arrival of the Snake with a perfect blend of culture and craftsmanship.
The Akko Year of Snake blends the cultural heritage with modern craftsmanship, making every keystroke awakens a guardian force that has slumbered for a thousand years. And among the three unique designs in this limited release, one stands out for its deep cultural roots—Xuanwu.
What is Xuanwu? The Myth of Xuanwu
Xuanwu (玄武) is one of the legendary Four Symbols that guard the cardinal directions in Chinese mythology. Xuanwu resides in the Northern abyss. Legends describe Xuanwu as wielding the forces of rivers and seas, controlling wind, rain, thunder, and lightning—a personification of nature’s immense power.
Xuanwu is a hybrid of a snake and a turtle rather than a single animal. This combination carries a unique significance. Generally we think the turtle represents stability, longevity, and resilience, while the snake symbolizes agility, adaptability, and keen intelligence.
This combination symbolizes the harmony of strength and flexibility, longevity and adaptability, and also embodies the philosophical idea of the harmony of yin and yang in Chinese culture.
Design Origin: How Translating Myth into Design
Now that we understand the Xuanwu myth, let’s explore how Akko Year of Snake turn the myth into the keyboard.
1. Layout: Harmony of Tortoise and Snake
Firstly, Akko Year of Snake is the Alice layout, reflecting the interplay of the tortoise and snake—sometimes united, sometimes opposed. Their yin-yang balance forms a perfect harmony of stillness and motion, strength and agility, and death and life.
2. Colors: Inspired by Myth
Then, about the color. The body case is black, and for the keycaps, there are two main shades of blue, also gold-colored embellishments.
- Xuan(玄) is black, so for the keyboard body, we take the black color, reflecting the solemn and mysterious.
- The two shades of blue stand for the North and winter, which fit the image of Xuanwu, who lives in the northern abyss and is in charge of rivers and oceans.
- Gold is the divine symbol of "longevity," symbolizing immortality and adding elegance and prestige to the design.
3. More Xuanwu Details
In addition, you can find the case also weaves in traditional Chinese water motifs, a nod to the myth of ‘Xuanming guiding the waters, life everlasting.’
With every keystroke, it feels as though an ancient legend is being told.
Advance Technologies Make the Myth into Legends
Beyond the cultural inspiration, the Akko Year of Snake provides high performance.
1. Ergonomic Tented Alice Layout
Not just an Alice layout—the Akko Year of the Snake raises the center of the keyboard, letting you type without twisting your wrists and keeping your arms in a relaxed, handshake-like position.
Related article: Tented Alice Layout: Designed for Typing Comfort
2. Rapid Disassemble Design
The rapid disassembly design makes the customization easier. You can take apart your keyboard for cleaning, maintenance, or customization without the need for tools.
3. 8000mAh Battery Support
The 8000mAh battery can provide power for long time using, no worries about the battery, you can enjoy a long-lasting and stable creation and gaming experience.
4. Hot Swappable
You can try different switches as you like, meeting different needs of all scenarios from office to e-sports.
Users can independently replace switches with different feels, freely combine trigger pressure, paragraph feel and feedback strength, create a unique tapping rhythm, and meet the needs of all scenarios from office to e-sports.
5. Multi-mode
Supports three-mode connection methods: wired/Bluetooth/2.4G wireless, compatible with mainstream systems such as Windows, macOS, Android, etc., switching between devices in seconds without delay, and adapting to the efficient productivity needs in multi-terminal scenarios.
Who Is the Akko Year of Snake Keyboard For?
The Akko Year of Dragon Keyboard is more than just a tool—it speaks to different kinds of users who seek a balance of culture, aesthetics, and performance.
1. For Traditional Culture Enthusiasts
If you want culture to be part of your daily life rather than just a decorative piece on the case, Xuanwu offers that connection. Every keystroke carries a mythological resonance, and the story behind the design becomes a natural conversation starter when friends drop by.
2. For Desktop Aesthetic Seekers
A cohesive workspace is an art form. Many people spend time perfecting their desktop setups, only to have them disrupted by an ordinary keyboard.
The Xuanwu’s deep black, blue, and gold palette pairs effortlessly with antique-style mice or wooden desktops, creating a distinctly Oriental-inspired aesthetic that elevates the entire desk.
3. For Pragmatists Who Value Both Form and Function
Some users are skeptical of cultural or creative products that lean too heavily on appearance.
You don't need to worry about it when you take Akko Year of Snake. It has not only symbolic design but also serious performance features—from full-key anti-ghosting to long battery life—making it equally at home in the office or in a gaming setup.
Conclusion
As part of Akko’s Chinese Zodiac Series, the Akko Year of Snake Keyboard carries forward a tradition of celebrating culture through innovation. Whether you are a typist, gamer, or collector, this keyboard is not just a device—it is a guardian on your desk, a piece of cultural artistry, and a lasting companion.
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