Photos: Chinese New Year celebrations
The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac
Local residents ignite fireworks as part of Chinese new year celebrations in Beijing January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac.
Filipino-Chinese perform a dragon dance on the eve of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in the Philippines. This year is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar.
A man walks past red lantern decorations for the upcoming Chinese New Year in Yuyuan Garden, downtown Shanghai January 17, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon.
A man checks a red lantern as he stands in front of the decorations for the upcoming Chinese New Year in Lanzhou, Gansu province January 19, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon.
An amateur artist breathes fire during celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac.
A man looks at a dragon lantern decoration made from recycled materials and LED lights at Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Buddhist Temple in Jenjarom, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.
Security guards walk past a dragon lantern among other Chinese New Year decorations at Yuyuan Garden in downtown Shanghai January 17, 2012. In the year of the Black Water Dragon, investors could get torched again if they leap back into the market too soon. But the outlook is expected to brighten considerably later in the year. In a world of economic turmoil that's scorched investors, it's tough to make predictions, but that's the forecast for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index if one follows the principles of feng shui - the ancient Chinese art, or science, based on 'Qi', the natural flow of energy - according to brokerage CLSA. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon. Picture taken January 17, 2012.
Visitors watch and take pictures of a professional diver swimming near a Water Dragon puppet inside the Ocean Park aquarium in Manila January 21, 2012 as part of their show celebrating Chinese New Year. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac.