NEW YORK—As the dancing dragon teased a delighted crowd, they reached, trying to touch it as if it would give them good luck for the year ahead.
But it is the end of the Year of the Dragon, and time to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
Thousands marched in the Chinese New Year parade in Flushing, Queens, on Saturday, while others lined the streets to watch; entertained by costumes, music, and colorful dragons.
Sean Dou, 34, who hails from mainland China, said the parade connects all Asians together.
“It ties the Chinese people together; not just the Chinese, also the Koreans [and all Asians],” he said. Dou and his wife Vanessa Bai were watching the parade, enjoying the celebration of traditions.
The Chinese calendar differs from the Western (Gregorian) calendar, so the beginning of the Chinese New Year falls on a different day every year, with dates ranging between late January and late February. The Chinese zodiac is a rotating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal, this year being the snake.
Celebrations of the Chinese New Year last for two weeks and end on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival (Feb. 24 this year).
