The Lunar New Year is China's biggest holiday. Around the world, families are coming together to celebrate.
While often referred to as Chinese New Year or The Spring Festival, the celebration extends far beyond mainland China, with festivities and religious and cultural events occurring around the globe.
Even New York Public schools have today off to celebrate, and on Feb 6, 2016, the Empire State Building lit up in red and gold to celebrate the new year.
The Empire State Building lit in red and gold in honor of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images.
Preparation for Lunar New Year begins months in advance with plenty of decorations, food, and traditional gifts.
From aromatic flowers and spices to colorful dragons and hong bao (the traditional bright red envelopes filled with money and given to children) Lunar New Year is a feast for the senses.
Here's 25 amazing photos of the hard work that goes into these celebrations, and what it looks like when all that planning pays off:
1. In Hanoi, Vietnam, vendors begin selling vegetables and produce ahead of the celebrations.
Photo by Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Images.
2. People shop for red envelopes that hold the lucky-money that is traditionally given to relatives and friends.
Photo by Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Images.
3. These amazing dragon puppets are ready to give it their all as they parade down the streets.
Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images.
4. It's a sea of red and gold as a woman shops for Lunar New Year decorations in Kuala Lampur's Chinatown.
A woman shops for Lunar New Year decorations in Kuala Lampur's Chinatown. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images.
5. Bulbs with eight stems are considered good luck — that's what these customers are looking for at a flower market in Hong Kong.
Photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images.
6. Lunar New Year decorating pro-tip: One can never have too many red lanterns.
A worker carries lanterns in Changzhou, China. Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
7. Seriously. So many red lanterns.
A man decorates trees with red lanterns in a park in Changzhou, China. Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
8. In Beijing, performers dressed as imperial guards rehearse for a Lunar New Year ceremony.
Photo by Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images.
9. Hundreds of millions of people in China alone travel to their hometowns to celebrate Lunar New Year with their families.
Passengers pack a Shanghai rail station as they wait to board their trains home. Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
10. The Lunar New Year is the largest annual migration of humans, causing major lines and headaches across China.
Crowds outside the Guangzhou railway station in Guangzhou, China. Photo by STR/AFP/Getty Images.
11. Travel was complicated this year by wintery weather conditions that left many revelers temporarily stranded.
Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
12. Trains across China were completely packed, with no seats to spare.
Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
13. This Lunar New Year marks the beginning of The Year of the Monkey.
Plush monkeys at a shop in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images.
The Chinese calendar operates on a rotating zodiac of 12 animals, and each year is assigned a new animal. Last year was the Year of the Goat and this year is the Year of the Monkey. According to tradition, people born in the Year of the Monkey are considered curious, witty, strong-willed and cunning.
14. Here, a decoration bears the image of a monkey (and a Pepsi logo) in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Photo by Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Images.
15. Last night, celebrations were held around the world to welcome the Year of the Monkey with Lunar New Year events.
Prayers at a temple in Cambodia's Kandal province to mark the start of the new year. Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP/Getty Images.
Like the Gregorian New Year, the biggest celebration of Lunar New Year occurs on New Year's Eve. Festivities often occur for 15 days, with many traditional elements including dragon dancers, paper lanterns, traditional foods, and prayer.
16. In Latha Township in Myanmar, men performed a dragon dance.
Photo by Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images.
17. In Los Angeles, CA, a couple prayed with joss sticks at a temple.
Photo by Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images.
18. Thean Hou temple was decorated with red lanterns in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images.
19. In Beijing, people visited temples to burn incense for good luck.
Photo by Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images.
20. People in Kuala Lumpur did the same at their temples.
Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images.
21. Fireworks lit up the night in Dandong, China.
Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
22. The New York City skyline had a Lunar New Year fireworks show of its own.
Photo by Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images.
23. In Myanmar, crowds gathered to watch dragon dance performances.
Photo by Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images.
24. At a temple on Indonesia's Bali Island, people offered prayers at a temple.
Photo by Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP/Getty Images.
25. In Dandong, China, a man set off fireworks of his own.
Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images.
26. At a temple in Hong Kong, used joss sticks (incense) piled up, evidence of yet another successful and happy Lunar New Year celebration.
Used joss sticks thrown away at a temple in Hong Kong. Photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.