WHEN the calendar year of the Chinese zodiac begins on Monday it will mark the beginning of the one year in 12 presided over by a mythical creature - the dragon.
In Western mythology, the dragon has been something to be feared. And, if you're much of a hero, the dragon is something to be slain.
But in Chinese folklore the dragon is respected and revered, honoured for bringing luck, success and ambition to those under its influence. As such, it is one of the most auspicious of the Chinese zodiac signs.
Chinese New Year is a very old celebration - a time for repaying debts, enjoying feasts, giving "red envelopes" of lucky money to friends and relatives, and remembering ancestors.
Chinese New Year arrives January 23 - coinciding with the month's New Moon, hence "lunar" new year. Don't forget the fortune cookies!
