The 2012 Chinese New Year begins on Monday, making way for the Year of the Dragon. Start the slideshow to see photos of celebrations in some parts of the world.

New York Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate But Not For Schools In State
New York Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate But Not For Schools In State
Soldiers perform dragon-dance in front of Tay Kei Sek temple in Semarang
Soldiers perform a dragon-dance in front of Tay Kei Sek temple in Semarang, Central Java January 23, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo
Works empty a bin of joss sticks as people rush to place them at the Guan Yin temple in Singapore
Works empty a bin of joss sticks as people rush to place them at the Guan Yin temple in Singapore January 23, 2012. Worshippers gather annually at the temple on the eve of the Lunar New Year with hopes to be the first person to offer joss sticks when the clock strikes midnight, believed to bring prosperity and luck. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/Edgar Su
A woman prays as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai
A woman prays as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
A man lights incense sticks as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai
A man lights incense sticks as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
A man holds incense sticks as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai
A man holds incense sticks as part of Chinese new year celebrations at the Old City God Temple in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
An amateur artist performs a fire show to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Russias Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk
An amateur artist performs a fire show to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. Picture taken on a long exposure. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin
An actor wearing traditional costume takes part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing
An actor wearing traditional costume takes part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune as part of the opening of the temple fair at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/David Gray
Performers take part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony during the opening of the temple fair at Ditan Park in Beijing
Performers wearing traditional costumes take part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune, during the opening of the temple fair at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/David Gray
An actor wearing traditional costume takes part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing
An actor wearing traditional costume takes part in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune as part of the opening of the temple fair at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS/David Gray