Monkey fervor climbs as Chinese new year nears

Consumers shop for monkey figurines at a market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. Yiwu is commonly known as the "supermarket of the world". As the lunar new year approaches, it has again become busy with the store shelves stocked with merchandises such as new year paintings and figurines that are thought to bring prosperity in the coming year. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on Feb 8 this year, ending the Year of the Sheep.

The monkey comes ninth in the 12-animal rotation, following the sheep and preceding the rooster. Others in the zodiac include rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, dog and pig.

According to the zodiac, people born during the Year of the Monkey are thought to be smart, lively and playful.

Chinese stores, offices, homes and cars will be decorated with zodiac-themed trinkets weeks before the lunar new year, offering a boom for businesses across the country.

In Yiwu, Zhejiang province, the world's largest wholesale market for small consumer goods has entered the high season. At the Festival Commodities Market, wholesale dealers can be seen hawking monkey-themed paintings, scrolls with traditional couplets, toys and lucky charms.

"Besides Chinese customers, there are also many foreign clients," said Liu Qing, a wholesale dealer purchasing products at the market.