Monday 8 February 2016

World celebrates Lunar New Year

Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.

Chinese visitors pray during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Chinese visitors pray during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
A Chinese performer dressed in traditional costume performs a cultural dance during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
A Chinese performer dressed in traditional costume performs a cultural dance during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Chinese dancers dressed in traditional costume take a selfie in backstage during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Chinese dancers dressed in traditional costume take a selfie in backstage during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Performers dressed as a Qing Dynasty servants participate in the ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune at a temple fair in Ditan Park during the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Performers dressed as a Qing Dynasty servants participate in the ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune at a temple fair in Ditan Park during the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Chinese pray during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Chinese pray during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers participate in a lion dance at Ditan Park to mark the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Performers participate in a lion dance at Ditan Park to mark the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
A Chinese dancer dressed in the traditional costume performs a cultural dance on stage during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
A Chinese dancer dressed in the traditional costume performs a cultural dance on stage during a temple fair for a Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
A reveler raises a baby as dragon dancers make their through a crowd to perform in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
A reveler raises a baby as dragon dancers make their through a crowd to perform in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items being thrown to them from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items being thrown to them from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform amidst exploding firecrackers in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform before a huge crowd in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatopwn district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform before a huge crowd in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatopwn district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform before a huge crowd in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Dragon and lion dancers perform before a huge crowd in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in Manila, Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items being tossed from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items being tossed from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items, including red envelopes containing cash known as "ampao", being tossed from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
Revelers jostle to catch gift items, including red envelopes containing cash known as "ampao", being tossed from a super market in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at Manila's Chinatown district in the Philippines. This year is Year of the Monkey in the Lunar calendar.
North Korean students smile as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students smile as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean boys spin a top as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean boys spin a top as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather on the plaza in front of the ice rink for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean boys play "catch the tail" as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean boys play "catch the tail" as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korean students skip rope as they gather at Kim Il Sung Square for Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. North Korea's state media triumphantly announced in a special news bulletin to the nation on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, it had successfully launched a satellite into orbit, calling it a major milestone in the nation's history and the "greatest gift of loyalty" to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
A lion dance troupe performs on the first day of Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
A lion dance troupe performs on the first day of Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Visitors hold joss sticks as they offer prayer at a temple in China Town in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. People celebrate the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Visitors hold joss sticks as they offer prayer at a temple in China Town in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. People celebrate the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Lion dancers perform as they celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, parading through China Town in Yokohama Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. People celebrate the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Lion dancers perform as they celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, parading through China Town in Yokohama Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. People celebrate the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
Ethnic Chinese draw bamboos sticks for divination during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Ethnic Chinese draw bamboos sticks for divination during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
An ethnic Chinese prays during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
An ethnic Chinese prays during the celebration of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Ethnic Chinese line up for the fortune telling at a temple during the celebration of the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Ethnic Chinese line up for the fortune telling at a temple during the celebration of the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The celebration marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
A performer takes part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
A performer takes part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Lunar New Year this year marks the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
A lion dance performer looks out from the mouth of the lion head at Ditan Park to mark the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.
A lion dance performer looks out from the mouth of the lion head at Ditan Park to mark the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Millions of Chinese began celebrating the Lunar New Year, which marks the Year of the Monkey on the Chinese zodiac.