It’s the year of the mightiest sign of the zodiac calendar, and much of Asia is expecting a stellar year this year.
In many countries in Asia from China to Malaysia and Chinatowns around the world, the streets are alive with firecrackers and lion dancers.
The Chinese New Year — also called the spring festival—is the most important holiday in much of Asia, bringing together families. The lunar new year is also called the spring festival.
Those celebrating the new year are recognizing the Year of Dragon, according to the zodiac calendar, the mightiest and most favored of the 12 zodiac signs.
On the eve of the lunar new year families gather together to enjoy a meal full of foods considered lucky. Children also receive red envelops filled with money.
The dragon is a symbol of power and strength, and those born under this sign are often predicted to have lucky and abundant lives. Their characteristics are said to be strong, intelligent and self-assured.
The lunar new year celebration begins on the first day of the lunar calendar (Monday, Jan. 23), and is expected to end on the first day of the full moon (Feb. 15).
Courtesy of Patch.com
