Firecrackers and dragon-shaped lanterns lit up across Asia on Saturday to celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year, marking the transition of the Chinese lunar calendar into the Year of the Dragon as billions travel worldwide to participate.
Cities across Asia celebrated the Lunar New Year by launching fireworks and lighting dragon-shaped ... [+]
Celebrations start on Feb. 10 before culminating on Feb. 24 with the Lantern Festival, a tradition in which people light paper lanterns to signify the start of a new year.
Some cities across the U.S. will hold events on Feb. 24, including New York and San Francisco, which has celebrated with a parade since 1953.
China’s population is projected to take 9 billion trips during the 40-day holiday travel period, the word’s largest annual migration that started Jan. 26, according to CNN.
The Chinese zodiac system—assigning each year to one of 12 animals—marks 2024 as the Year of the Dragon, which associates people born during the year with being energetic, determined, idealistic and independent.
The holiday is largely secular and includes traditions deriving from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, in addition to other traditions from myths and folk religions across Asia.
An aerial view of fireworks after a Lunar New Year's Eve countdown celebration in Kuala Lumpur, ... [+]
Fireworks light up the night sky in Belgrade, Serbia.
People watch a dragon dance performance in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China.
Chinese performers walk in the street after taking part in a traditional dragon dance.
Drones form a giant dragon pattern over Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China.
A performer breathes fire during Lunar New Year celebrations in Manila, Philippines.
A dragon dance troupe performs in Bangkok.
People light candles and pray for good fortune to mark the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year in ... [+]
Local Chinese artists perform a dragon dance during a cerebration to mark the Lunar New Year in ... [+]
A Chinese folk artist sits in a sedan chair as she and others prepare to perform in Beiijing.
People gather around a large dragon figure in Beijing.
A lion dance group performs at Sze Yup Kwan Ti temple in Sydney.
China Gears Up To Ring In Year Of The Dragon With Expected 9 Billion Trips (CNN)