Photos: Celebrations commence the Year of the Snake

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Beijing, China: Dragon dancers perform at a park on the first day of the Lunar New Year of Snake on Jan. 29. Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

All across the world, people are starting the Lunar New Year off by bidding the Dragon adieu and welcoming in the Year of the Snake.

A dragon dance makes its way through a throng of people attending the annual Lunar New Year parade in New York City's Chinatown on Feb. 25, 2024.

It's an all-encompassing celebration that spans across countries, and nearly 2 billion participants, who will dance, eat, and gather to uphold traditions that focus on welcoming a new year with their best foot forward.

As NPR readers shared, there are plenty of rituals that families carry on year after year to guarantee good luck, good fortune, and prosperity like cleaning their homes, cutting their hair, and, of course, eating plenty of good food.

Celebrating Lunar New Year in a time of grief

For many, it's a time to reflect on people they have lost, but it is also a time to set intentions and welcome the new energy of the future.

So, how are the festivities kicking off globally? Check out some glimpses of dragons, fire breathers, and snakes, oh my!

Lion Dance performances worship Chinese deities during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration at a shopping mall in Bangkok, on Jan. 29.

Bangkok, Thailand: Lion Dance performances worship Chinese deities during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration at a shopping mall in Bangkok, on Jan. 29. Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A performer breathes fire during Lunar New Year celebrations at Binondo district, considered the world's oldest Chinatown, on Jan. 29.

Manila, Philippines: A performer breathes fire during Lunar New Year celebrations at Binondo district, considered the world's oldest Chinatown, on Jan. 29. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images hide caption

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Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Keelung, Taiwan: People light candles on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake at a temple in Keelung on Jan. 29. I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Performers entertain tourists on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake at Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia, on Jan. 29.

Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia: Performers entertain tourists on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake at Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia, on Jan. 29. Devi Rahman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Devi Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

Keelung, Taiwan: People offer prayers on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake at a temple in Keelung on Jan. 29. I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Yokohama, Japan: A lion dance is performed in front of a restaurant in Yokohama China Town on Jan. 29. Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images hide caption

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Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

Bangkok, Thailand: A snake plushie hangs from a hook at a street stall on Lunar New Years Eve on Jan. 28. Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images hide caption

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Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Kolkata, India: The Chinese community performs a Dragon dance as part of the celebration of the Chinese Lunar Year on Jan. 29. Debarchan Chatterjee/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Debarchan Chatterjee/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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