Starting today (and lasting 15 days long), China’s Spring Festival — or as it’s more popularly known in the West, Chinese New Year — celebrates the year of the dragon. The centuries-old holiday is greatly significant and weaves another thread of mythology and tradition through Chinese culture, referencing beasts that climb from the mountains and seas, the powerful and protective properties of the color red, and much more. Chinese characters, paper lanterns, fireworks, and spirited festivals have inspired stunning photography all over the world. (Find out where to celebrate in your area over here.) We took a look at several Chinese New Year celebrations in our gallery past the break, where the holiday’s host — the good luck dragon — makes an appearance throughout. Happy New Year!
Image credit: chooyutshing
Chinatown, Singapore
Image credit: Loren Javier
Disney California Adventure Park, California
Image credit: Ruth_W
Liverpool, England
Image credit: teachingsagittarian
Bangkok, Thailand
Image credit: Xinhua/Long Hongtao
Orange Island in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province
Spotted via DesignYouTrust
Beijing, China
Image credit: cyndy666
San Francisco, California
Image credit: mikesm
Sheffield, England
Image credit: Chris Aston
China
Image credit: Darrell Hoemann
Chicago, Illinois
Spotted via pokerstrategy
A 128-foot, fire-breathing dragon at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image credit: Sunset Noir
New York’s Empire State Building in red and gold.
Image credit: myclops
Rome, Italy
Image credit: zupergeorge
London, England
Image credit: Myna Bird Production
Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple in Singapore.