Celebrations for the Lunar New Year are in full swing across Southeast Asia.
The Lunar New Year is considered the biggest holiday of the Chinese calendar and symbolises a time of change and renewal.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) BUSINESSMAN, 38-YEAR-OLD, KEE YONG CHIN SAYING:
"Although this is a very traditional way, it gives us new hopes in the new year and motivates us to usher in the new year with high spirits."
Those with Chinese heritage in Malaysia pray to their ancestors for good luck in the Year of the Dragon.
Meanwhile in Manila, crowds gathered in the city's Chinatown, to pray for prosperity, represented by the mythical dragon from the Chinese Zodiac.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST GUIDE LAWRENCE CHAN SAYING:
"My personal wish is that the country would have peace, which is the ultimate goal for every Filipino. Not only that, but probably better standards of living for all."
For years, ethnic Chinese in Indonesia were banned from holding Lunar New Year ceremonies in public.
But more than a decade after the ban was repealed, those in Indonesia congregated at a temple in Jakarta, burning candles and lighting incense.
Billions of people around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year, which began Monday.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
