World celebrates Chinese New Year

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Dragon Lake Park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China.The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Dragon Lake Park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China.The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: The vendors show the toy of snake at the Spring Festival Temple Fair for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artists prepare to perform during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Dragon Lake Park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China.The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A vendor shows the toy of hammer with Chinese characters 'Defend the Diaoyu Islands ' at the Spring Festival Temple Fair for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifte

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Dragon Lake Park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China.The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A performer (R) plays the role of the emperor during a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony of Qing Dynasty emperors praying for good harvest and fortune during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar y

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A general view of the trees decorated with red lanterns ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A performer (C) plays the role of the emperor during a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony of Qing Dynasty emperors praying for good harvest and fortune during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar y

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artist performs during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese paramilitary police officers dressed as Qing Dynasty servants before a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony of Qing Dynasty emperors praying for good harvest and fortune during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the fi

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A Chinese actor dressed as the zombie of game Plants vs. Zombies walks in the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Visitors stroll near the trees decorated with red lanterns ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Chinese folk artists prepare to perform during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Dragon Lake Park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China.The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: A lion dances in front of cabbage hanging in a shop doorway, a sign of prosperity for the coming new year on February 10, 2013 in London, England. London's Chinese community celebrate the start of the Year of The Snake with traditional dancing, music and fireworks. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: A Crowds watch the New Year parade on February 10, 2013 in London, England. London's Chinese community celebrate the start of the Year of The Snake with traditional dancing, music and fireworks. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 10: A diver performs the dragon dance during the special program for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year at Beijing Aquarium on February 10, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11: A liitle girl eats mutton skewer at a Spring Festival Temple Fair for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake on February 11, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Chinese American community, tourists and other New Yorkers celebrate the the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, in New York's Chinatown on February 10, 2013 in New York City. Celebrations are being held in Chinese communities around the world. The lighting of firecrackers are believed to ward off evil spirits and to bring the god of wealth into people's lives once New Year's Day arrives. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: A lion dances in front of cabbage hanging in a shop doorway, a sign of prosperity for the coming new year on February 10, 2013 in London, England. London's Chinese community celebrate the start of the Year of The Snake with traditional dancing, music and fireworks. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 10: An Indonesian man of Chinese descent carries joss sticks through the smoke filled Vihara Dharma Bhakti temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New year February 10, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Chinese people around the world are ushering in the Year of the Snake with prayers, feasts and fireworks. (Photo by Ed Wray/Getty Images)

IJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Fireworks illuminate the skyline to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake and cause severe air pollution on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Fireworks illuminate the skyline to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake and cause severe air pollution on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: A performer (2nd R) plays the role of the emperor during a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony of Qing Dynasty emperors praying for good harvest and fortune during the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival Temple Fair at the Temple of Earth park on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lun

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 10: A diver performs the dragon dance during the special program for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year at Beijing Aquarium on February 10, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 09: Fireworks illuminate the skyline to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake and cause severe air pollution on February 9, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Chinese Lunar New Year of Snake also known as the Spring Festival, which is based on the Lunisolar Chinese calendar, is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the lunar year and ends with Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth day. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 09: A snake shaped sculpture made from about 850 yellow sky lanterns looms over a road in Chinatown on February 9, 2013 in Singapore. Thousands gathered today to celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the the Year of the Snake, with new year's day falling on February 10. Chinese new Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar and is celebrated in Singapore and many other Southeast Asian countries with significant Chinese Populations. (Photo by Suhaimi Abd