The beginning of the Chinese New Year is full of conflicting traditions.
Some, including the Chicago Tribune, poke fun at the observance and nickname it the “tawag” (Chinese for almost), noting that the four days just after Lunar New Year also include the highest incidence of car accidents in the entire year.
Still, there are a number of good reasons to celebrate this lunar holiday. The photos below include some of our favorite celebrations:
Lunar New Year festivities in Dongguan, China, in 2016.
Crowds of merrymakers dance the dragon dance while joining in traditional Chinese Medicine song ceremony in Bali, Indonesia.
Lunar New Year breakdancing in the street in Hong Kong, during the holiday in 2016.
Alicia Cha is a Washingtonian intern.
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More coverage of Lunar New Year
Superfly Bowl: The Dongguan Dragon Dance
Chinese Lantern Festival in Arlington
Street Market in Placido, Indonesia, with dragons
Lunar New Year 2016 at the National Zoo
Lunar New Year in Lanzhou, China
Day Dreaming Lantern Parade in Philadelphia
Lunar New Year at the Lincoln Memorial
Lunar New Year on Display at National Geographic Explorers Club
Lunar New Year in San Jose, California
Lunar New Year at the Sydney Harbour Bridge