Millions of people throughout Asia and the world welcomes the new lunar year, which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.
It is widely considered to be the most important event in the year for many in Asia and some Asian societies around the world, and the new lunar year represents a new beginning for those who celebrate.
Fireworks, music, exhibitions, lanterns, dance, dance, dance, and dance, fill the streets throughout Asia, where celebrations that usually last about 15 days began.
Andres Martinex Casares/EPA-Efe
In Beijing, China, artists moved to the theater to celebrate the beginning of the snake year.
Florence Lu/Reuters
Stilt Walkers joined a procession across a garden in Beijing.
NYEIN CHAN NAING/EPA-EFE
The candles lit a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.
Lillian Swanroma/AFP
A woman prays in a shrine in Bangkok …
Lillian Swanroma/AFP
While others appear pictures to share with friends and family.
Johnny Jriswanto/AFP
Prayers are offered at the Hong San Ko Temple in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Chaideer mahyuddin/AFP
Dancers perform the lion dance in Panda Aceh while people gather to see it.
HASNOOR Hussein/Reuters
In the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur worshipers gather at the Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.
Elweza Lopez/Reuters
Dancers in the dragon are shown in the streets of Manila while fireworks explode around them.
Timor Mathaari/AFP
Large candles are the Darma Ramsey Temple to celebrate the new Chinese lunar year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
Adam Gray/Reuters
Dancers in Assad’s fashion perform during the midnight New Year celebration in the Chinese district of New York.
Andres Martinex Casares/EPA-Efe
Florence Lu/Reuters
NYEIN CHAN NAING/EPA-EFE
Lillian Swanroma/AFP
Lillian Swanroma/AFP
Johnny Jriswanto/AFP
Chaideer mahyuddin/AFP
HASNOOR Hussein/Reuters
Elweza Lopez/Reuters
Timor Mathaari/AFP
Adam Gray/Reuters