The Chinese New Year falls on February 9th and the season lasts 15 days. The first three days are the most important and most celebrated, with visits to friends and family.
The seventh day traditionally is everyone's birthday, the day when everyone grows one year older. The celebrations end with the colourful Lantern festival on the evening of the 15th.
This year ushers in the Year of the Rooster. The sign of the rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite in decision-making. "Roosters" are not afraid to speak their minds, and can therefore sometimes appear boastful.
The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar and the date of the holiday varies from late January to mid-February. Those born in the Year of the Rooster include Yoko Ono, Rod Stewart, Mia Farrow, and Eric Clapton.
Kung Hei Fat Choi is a New Year's greeting meaning "congratulations and be prosperous".