Chinese New Year will be on January 23rd this year.
This year is year of Dragon.
It is a tradition to set off firecrackers (bianpaò)
during the Chinese New Year. It is always accompanied by a lion or dragon
dance. The loud noise of firecrackers scares the bad luck away. It is
believed to bring good luck for the New Year.
It is also a tradition to give red envelopes (hóngbao).
The color red means good luck. People put money in the red envelopes.
Usually, the money will be given in even numbers. The money in the red
envelope is called lucky money. It is given to children during the New
Year. It is also given on birthdays or weddings.
Chinese Zodiac Animals 
Chinese legend says that the Emperor of Heaven and the God of Earth
once called all animals to participate in a race. The first twelve who
ran to the finish line would be chosen to represent the years of the
calendar.
The twelve animals arrived in the following order: rat (mouse), ox,
tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (goat), monkey, chicken (rooster),
dog and pig. Each animal represents one year and the cycle repeats every
twelve years. All babies born in the same year will belong to the same
zodiac animal sign.
