Chinese New Year 2012: Year of the Dragon

Monday marks the Chinese New Year, also called the spring festival, and one of the most important holidays in much of Asia, bringing together families.  

In many countries from China to Malaysia—and even Chinatowns around the world—the streets are alive with firecrackers and lion dancers. On the eve of the lunar new year, families gather together to enjoy Children also receive red envelops filled with money.

Those celebrating the new year are recognizing the Year of Dragon, according to the zodiac calendar, the mightiest and most favored of the 12 zodiac signs. 

The last Year of the Dragon was in 2000, and Hong Kong saw more than 5 percent rise in the number of births, according to BBC.

Other Years of the Dragon incude: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976 and 1988. Famed dragon babies include: Salvador Dali, Courtney Love, Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock.

The dragon is a symbol of power and strength, and those born under this sign are often predicted to have lucky and abundant lives. Their characteristics are said to be strong, intelligent and self-assured.

The lunar new year celebration begins on the first day of the lunar calendar and is expected to end on the first day of the full moon (Feb. 15).

Patch Asks: Will you be celebrating the Chinese New Year? What Chinese zodiac sign were you born under?