China honored its Lunar New Year on February 3, welcoming the Year of the Rabbit.
Astrologers describe the rabbit, fourth among the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, as reserved, kind and gentle -- perhaps, foretelling a year of easy diplomacy and smooth economic growth for China.
Learn more about Chinese New Year in this interview with astrologer Susan Levitt:
Although traditionally a Chinese holiday, the Lunar New Year is observed all over the world . We wanted to see what it looked like, so we teamed up with Flickr.
The "Chinese New Year Where I Am" Flickr project was started by Chinese teacher Jess (@jessmcculloch), based in Melbourne, Australia, to teach her students about the holiday. We joined in to collect and share your traditions, building a global resource for Jess's students in Australia, and for you - wherever you are - to see how the Year of the Rabbit is welcomed worldwide.
We asked you to share your photos, and you sent pictures of dragons, fireworks, food, and of course rabbits, in cities from Hong Kong to London to Las Vegas, and everywhere in between.
Here are some of our favorites:
A temple worker replaces a lantern in Malaysia
Creative Commons photo by By Georgette Tan, January 25, 2011 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
A street celebration in Seattle, Washington
Creative Commons photo by Vlad Karpinsky, January 29, 2011, International District, Seattle, Washington
A vendor prepares for celebrations in Taiwan
Creative Commons photo by Joshua Fahler, January 30, 2011, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
Prayers at Vihara Dharma Bhakti, one of the oldest temples in Jakarta, Indonesia. Many come to the temple to offer their prayers to the gods and ancestor spirits with gratitude and hopes for the coming year.
Creative Commons photo by nSeika, February 2, 2011, Glodok, Jakarta, Indonesia
The "Friendship Archway" in Chinatown, Washington, D.C. at night
Creative Commons photo by Jessstah, January 28, 2011, Washington, DC, United States
The Arcadian in Birmingham, England, where the Birmingham City Council will be holding Chinese New Year festivities on Sunday, February 6, 2011
Creative Commons photo by Elliott Brown,January 28, 2011, Birmingham, England
Rabbit decorations in Chinatown, Singapore
Creative Commons photo by Daphne Chui, January 31, 2011, Outram, Central Singapore
Partying in Hong Kong
Creative Commons photo by Ah Lun, February 3, 2011, Braemar Hill, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
