Rise of the dragon

As Year of the Rabbit comes to a close, country welcomes in new sign of the zodiac

It is the symbol of Chinese nationality and of potent and auspicious powers. It has control over water, rainfall, hurricanes and floods. It is also the symbol of good luck. Chinese people have revered it for thousands of years.

It is the dragon.

And with the Lunar New Year approaching, the Year of the Dragon has arrived.

At the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, people all around the country play with this mythical creature. They hang it in shopping centers, carry it on bamboo sticks in parades through the streets, carve its head onto boats which they race on ice and perform a dance named after it.

The dragon has lots of auspicious meanings. It is the harbinger of happiness and good fortune and has sublime connections to Chinese nationality.

Many people believe playing with a dragon brings good fortune.