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Divers perform an underwater Lion Dance at the KLCC Aquaria ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
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The God of Wealth arrives at the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 10, when the Year of the Dragon begins. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UUFVIJO3FZHNZI7V5HFX4FYUD4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=c5f6fa7b9f983ccdcda099275d838e7be8346d249992a644d467d982299480c5&width=400&height=225)
An egg is offered to tiger sculptures at a Chinese temple during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kandal province, Cambodia. EPA
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Incense is burned at a Chinese temple in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
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Dancers perform a traditional Lion Dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Manila, Philippines. EPA
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Incense and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, where Lunar New Year is known as Imlek. EPA
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Chinese artists perform a dragon dance in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo
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Prayers for Lunar New Year at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
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A Filipino dancer performs with fire to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Manila, Philippines. EPA
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A traditional Lion Dance in Manila. EPA
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Candles are lit at Kuan Yim Shrine in Chinatown on Lunar New Years Eve in Bangkok, Thailand. Getty Images
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People at prayer during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
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A gathering for prayer at a temple in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo
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Selfies with a decorative dragon lantern during Lunar New Year celebrations at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
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Incense sticks and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo
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Malaysian ethnic Chinese pray on the first day of Lunar New Year's holidays at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FLFDQ6ZHMJAUXKEM5GJZAKVTTA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=08c41f725e58a09dab8218e3a9baeb36f839f8eeeac5dfae8ea5c65383de535a&width=400&height=225)
Photos to remember the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
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People queue to pray at a temple during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Taipei, Taiwan. EPA
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Residents touch the Lion Dance during a performance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing. AP Photo
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Fireworks fly after a Lunar New Year's Eve countdown celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GCHKBHMCIVGV3N5DJA7STRV5AU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d0b748eabe2451afd27bc888fe6a543cef317cab1375711196a1de3f16ed04f2&width=400&height=225)
A member of a Chinese acrobatics troupe performs during the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4SMVB6FV6RCT5IQG24OL676OTE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=beaa86d67a01d4e619446d48b230fec0115235021ecb7ac2e4e4ee156c378082&width=400&height=225)
The God of Wealth attends a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
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An Indonesian-Chinese man lights incense sticks during the Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo
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A Buddhist holds an oil lamp in a shape of a lotus flower as he offers prayers during a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MA3YJ3XCDKYB65AXCVVMRNOMTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d3b05bc7385c86129e90ad8028674d81ec4d5eb33d3a15837a178db539afd386&width=400&height=225)
Diners watch a Lion Dance in a restaurant of the Chinatown area of Yokohama, Japan, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AFM45FWQYJXL6MW67P5DJ3HVGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a3f408f3f38c4df7c4edfa8a418ab594fc04c1e8b2d3de328a571a24048f167&width=400&height=225)
A woman prays at the Lama Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Beijing. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BF3ADQHJDXL2PZFFFXVEGEYDBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ec0b403e33171fb1bb4717eaf158b7068ad83e2dd8f44d7ab2788f75717145b&width=400&height=225)
Children dressed in costumes prepare to perform a Dragon Dance, as they take part in celebrations to mark the Lunar New Year, in Kolkata, India. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EODCPGB2OLLIRYUWAIXT3CQA3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=82a27324f6df9b92a2fdd69354a6df4cc48f3480b7b8d359402dfbdbda2cd95e&width=400&height=225)
A man looks on as members of the Chinese community take part in a traditional Dragon Dance in Kolkata on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZYCIXISLYGGUFPSESEKBAOKS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=459a4257cb5e613dd00efb71074f5c05c7010ad1022863cd36c24324e31fcf95&width=400&height=225)
Offerings are placed on a Wishing Tree on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, in Hong Kong, China. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CTWTVRDW2GLSP5UI3VNT72YBUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=13c6d8f0b12f8f519c5062d712b1dc4e95116cf9c2ab2e4fdd2f2c679eede762&width=400&height=225)
A human puppet of Tsai Shen Yeh, the God of Wealth, parades in front of the St Paul's Ruins during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IQRRSJD37NQELIXFGD2LUI4NCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a127c7a1d974aaafc5c280b8e5258f844bc61e4247dfa4195e48f4329f15654&width=400&height=225)
Pedestrians touch a head of a dragon during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
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Divers perform an underwater Lion Dance at the KLCC Aquaria ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BES5IPGXPRHCLPUPVT2RHPNMM4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=66a19f4848b0e6af171dc41596abe1051d2589e835ed4b50eb58d5f3f3c603c0&width=400&height=225)
The God of Wealth arrives at the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 10, when the Year of the Dragon begins. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UUFVIJO3FZHNZI7V5HFX4FYUD4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=c5f6fa7b9f983ccdcda099275d838e7be8346d249992a644d467d982299480c5&width=400&height=225)
An egg is offered to tiger sculptures at a Chinese temple during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kandal province, Cambodia. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/756XLRS7I5GNZBDNP62UQRYR4M.jpeg?smart=true&auth=f6ee087b1659b434cd970d5ba23e2f51ebb2eb8c992e66a0acfa9bc79ac270d0&width=400&height=225)
Incense is burned at a Chinese temple in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VSRTDTPRJVCXFNQUEBCLZGFEAI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=9d35fd34f278f4abf7080b775108afe6b096e7c5172e9b06d7225ac925272f29&width=400&height=225)
Dancers perform a traditional Lion Dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Manila, Philippines. EPA
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Incense and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, where Lunar New Year is known as Imlek. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43RXAT3BWNC2NIVVC4UEAFWZQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce2417ccec60c5c33299cf573214c59b5a58ed425408ef92bfe6dbf5444cedd2&width=400&height=225)
Chinese artists perform a dragon dance in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo
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Prayers for Lunar New Year at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
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A Filipino dancer performs with fire to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Manila, Philippines. EPA
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A traditional Lion Dance in Manila. EPA
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Candles are lit at Kuan Yim Shrine in Chinatown on Lunar New Years Eve in Bangkok, Thailand. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QDGKK7S3PRDIPK6JG24LVJ6QUY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=927173818f181f31b880e01655e92598054180127edc1865a059d568744d2db7&width=400&height=225)
People at prayer during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
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A gathering for prayer at a temple in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo
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Selfies with a decorative dragon lantern during Lunar New Year celebrations at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
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Incense sticks and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NTLEUQCVGNHVPMTKIRPI47GB5A.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4021e63cf68543fc43583c86fa29fb62b1335d4799595c9c30f17eae15c502d&width=400&height=225)
Malaysian ethnic Chinese pray on the first day of Lunar New Year's holidays at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
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Photos to remember the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
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People queue to pray at a temple during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Taipei, Taiwan. EPA
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Residents touch the Lion Dance during a performance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OO6ZWJMWSBATZPI64YOOWWZJSU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=be6be4f5a53eb352a4e13cab27d82f514e5eec366eb0b1bfbcf0e9e0851b75a8&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks fly after a Lunar New Year's Eve countdown celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GCHKBHMCIVGV3N5DJA7STRV5AU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d0b748eabe2451afd27bc888fe6a543cef317cab1375711196a1de3f16ed04f2&width=400&height=225)
A member of a Chinese acrobatics troupe performs during the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4SMVB6FV6RCT5IQG24OL676OTE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=beaa86d67a01d4e619446d48b230fec0115235021ecb7ac2e4e4ee156c378082&width=400&height=225)
The God of Wealth attends a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V2QC66UY4NH4NHQFEDQOTEL5BA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f501548d823d75af2e797cf0cdd3d4d05c3adb3b245a7036e49f010f8c7da63&width=400&height=225)
An Indonesian-Chinese man lights incense sticks during the Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BOG4Z62HKJCU7HHTGLV7WYXEP4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d08388bab4c703b771097a5a3358a95c80a95fc0dab9f70b8c4c10fe3ad6a85d&width=400&height=225)
A Buddhist holds an oil lamp in a shape of a lotus flower as he offers prayers during a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MA3YJ3XCDKYB65AXCVVMRNOMTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d3b05bc7385c86129e90ad8028674d81ec4d5eb33d3a15837a178db539afd386&width=400&height=225)
Diners watch a Lion Dance in a restaurant of the Chinatown area of Yokohama, Japan, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AFM45FWQYJXL6MW67P5DJ3HVGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a3f408f3f38c4df7c4edfa8a418ab594fc04c1e8b2d3de328a571a24048f167&width=400&height=225)
A woman prays at the Lama Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Beijing. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BF3ADQHJDXL2PZFFFXVEGEYDBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ec0b403e33171fb1bb4717eaf158b7068ad83e2dd8f44d7ab2788f75717145b&width=400&height=225)
Children dressed in costumes prepare to perform a Dragon Dance, as they take part in celebrations to mark the Lunar New Year, in Kolkata, India. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EODCPGB2OLLIRYUWAIXT3CQA3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=82a27324f6df9b92a2fdd69354a6df4cc48f3480b7b8d359402dfbdbda2cd95e&width=400&height=225)
A man looks on as members of the Chinese community take part in a traditional Dragon Dance in Kolkata on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZYCIXISLYGGUFPSESEKBAOKS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=459a4257cb5e613dd00efb71074f5c05c7010ad1022863cd36c24324e31fcf95&width=400&height=225)
Offerings are placed on a Wishing Tree on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, in Hong Kong, China. Reuters
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A human puppet of Tsai Shen Yeh, the God of Wealth, parades in front of the St Paul's Ruins during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
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Pedestrians touch a head of a dragon during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP
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Divers perform an underwater Lion Dance at the KLCC Aquaria ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
What is Lunar New Year, which countries celebrate it and why is it the Year of the Dragon?
Popular festival marks a time of feasting, cleaning and celebrating with family
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The National
10 February, 2024
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