Chinese Year of the Snake

Yesterday, 10th February, saw the beginning of the Lunar New Year also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia.  It is celebrated by millions.

The new year began in China at midnight, with firework displays and family gatherings.  It is the year of the snake, taking over from the dragon.

In China, an estimated 200 million people have travelled to be with their families in what is considered the biggest mass human migration on Earth.  The holiday will continue throughout the week, with government offices and businesses shut down.

The snake has a mixed reputation in China. It is associated with wisdom, beauty and intelligence but also pride and anger.

Saturday evening also saw an anticipated 700 million people watch state television's annual TV gala, a variety performance show in which Celine Dion sang her theme tune from the movie Titanic.  See Celine sing in flawless Chinese here.

According to the BBC's Chinese correspondent, one well-known Chinese songwriter reports that, My Heart Will Go On is one of two English songs that are well known in China. The other is Happy Birthday.

In the North Korean capital Pyongyang, people climbed Mansu Hill in the centre of the city to pay homage to the bronze statues of national founder Kim Il Sung and late leader Kim Jong Il.  People laid flowers at the two statues of their late leaders as it is customary for North Koreans to do so to mark major holidays, anniversaries, and celebrations.

Chinese communities in Burma and Indonesia celebrated the first day of the Lunar New Year on Sunday.  In Yangon, people visited a temple by the city's Chinatown district, where they lit incense sticks and chanted prayers, hoping that the Year of the Snake would bring them prosperity and good health.  Meanwhile, at the oldest temple in Jakarta – Vihara Dharma Bhakti, which was built in 1650 – thousands of people performed prayer rituals.  Whilst in Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou handed out traditional red envelopes containing money - in this case one Taiwanese dollar ($0.03; £0.02) - to people at a temple in Taipei.

Happy Year of the Snake to everyone!  And happy celebrations!