Today marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year 2012, the Year of the Dragon. One of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the dragon signifies good fortune and power. In the Chinese astrological cycle, this year is also associated with the element of water, which makes 2012 the Year of the Water Dragon — an emblem of optimism and growth that comes around only once every 60 years. People around the world are ushering in this auspicious year with displays of fireworks, family get-togethers, temple visits, and street festivals. Collected below are images from several countries where revelers have been welcoming the arrival of the Water Dragon.
Above: A performer breaths fire during a dragon dance performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila’s Chinatown district, on January 23, 2012 in the Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
See more fantastic images at The Atlantic
-
blockedthoughts reblogged this from lustik
-
whatishotiswhatyousee liked this
-
leadsingerofarockband reblogged this from goodmemory
-
phoco reblogged this from goodmemory
-
xeirinix reblogged this from goodmemory
-
feedwell liked this
-
goodmemory reblogged this from tumbleword
-
the-kirin liked this
-
sideshowscarnival reblogged this from dukeofmegadeus
-
gkouk liked this
-
gkouk reblogged this from picturesoftheday
-
supercrap liked this
-
animinimalism reblogged this from theatlantic
-
animinimalism liked this
-
digressionpost liked this
-
missalbum reblogged this from theatlantic and added:
aku teringin nk buat benda ni lorh
-
gavinvz liked this
-
starlightofantares liked this
-
twkestrel reblogged this from crossedwires
-
gi-ca reblogged this from picturesoftheday
-
gi-ca liked this
-
withasperity liked this
-
pazetamour liked this
-
jntquigley reblogged this from beverleyshiller
-
herbkins liked this
-
herbkins reblogged this from picturesoftheday and added:
Cleaning my house for that auspicious kick! Welcome year of the dragon! :D
-
anakinincendia liked this
-
stonemaven reblogged this from earthmagick
-
miggygotmoxie reblogged this from nancyrivers
-
jjffo reblogged this from picturesoftheday
-
childishhysterics liked this
-
disneyanimanga reblogged this from bictori
-
childishhysterics reblogged this from danuttyprofessor
-
parkstepp reblogged this from beverleyshiller
-
nancyrivers liked this
-
nancyrivers reblogged this from beverleyshiller
-
littlemissde liked this
-
beverleyshiller reblogged this from tumbleword
-
georgeolken reblogged this from theatlantic
-
thisgirlsnavy liked this
-
lookwhowehavehere reblogged this from purebloodqueen
-
purebloodqueen reblogged this from earthmagick
-
obitterdicta liked this
-
danuttyprofessor reblogged this from elephas
-
purebloodqueen liked this
-
librankoas liked this
-
elephas reblogged this from psychedelicmandala
-
tamaulipana liked this
-
awyeahmona liked this
-
kktspecial reblogged this from crossedwires
- Show more notes
