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The year of the dragon is now upon us

A dragon lantern is seen in front of beams of blue lights at the Gate of China area along the banks of the Qinhuai River in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, January 19, 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. Picture taken January 19, 2012. PHOTO:REUTERS

A boy looks at a pair of dragon sculptures on display in a store at the chinatown area of Binondo, metro Manila January 20, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. PHOTO:REUTERS

An actor (C) dressed as Qing dynasty emperor gestures as he is carried during a rehearsal for the upcoming temple fair, adapted from an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony where emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune, at Ditan Park (the Temple of Earth), in Beijing January 20, 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. PHOTO:REUTERS

A resident, with her pet dog, walks past trees with red lantern decorations for the Spring Festival Temple Fair at Ditan Park (the Temple of Earth), in Beijing, January 20, 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. PHOTO:REUTERS

A shop attendant adjusts a dragon-shaped decoration inside a shop selling Chinese New Year decorations at a market in Taipei January 20, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon. PHOTO:REUTERS

Actor Theo James, producer Len Wiseman, actors Kate Beckinsale, India Eisley, Michael Ealy, producers Gary Lucchesi, and Tom Rosenberg arrive at the premiere of Screen Gems' "Underworld: Awakening" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on January 19, 2012 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images/PHOTO:AFP

Stuffed dragons on sale ahead of the start of the year of the dragon Which began on January 23. PHOTO: REUTERS

A neon dragon decoration marks a busy thoroughfare as the year of the Dragon began on January 23. Please Search Keyword 'Black Water' To See All Images Pxp900-923. PHOTO: REUTERS

A man prays inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and museum ahead of the Lunar New Year in Singapore on January 20, 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year of the dragon falls on January 23 and 24 in Singapore. PHOTO:AFP

A devotee offers a prayer at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and museum ahead of the Lunar New Year in Singapore on January 20, 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year of the dragon falls on January 23 and 24 in Singapore. PHOTO:AFP

Workers at a store selling dolls of characters from the popular smartphone app, Birzzle, smile at the Hong Kong Chinese New Year Flower Market on January 20, 2012. The Chinese New Year flower market in Hong Kong is both a flower market and a venue to showcase a large variety of unique products and toys. PHOTO:AFP

Scuba divers perform a dragon dance at the Shanghai aquarium to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai on January 20, 2012. The Lunar New Year falls on January 23 and is the begining of the Spring Festival holiday. PHOTO:AFP

Shoppers walk past a Chinese Spring Festival 'Year of the Dragon' display at a shopping center in Beijing on January 20, 2012. The Chinese New Year know locally as the Spring Festival, causes the world's largest annual migration of people with millions of travellers boarding public transport to journey across the vast country for the Lunar New Year celebrations. PHOTO: AFP

Indonesian Muslim students hands an envelope to a dragon mascot in Yogyakarta in in East Java province on January 20, 2012 ahead of the Chinese Lunar new year festivity. The Chinese New Year marks the zodiac sign of the dragon. PHOTO:AFP

A performer wearing a Panda costume from Kung-fu Panda parades along with an 18 meter long dragon at Malang city park in East Java province on January 20, 2012 ahead of the Chinese Lunar new year festivity. The Chinese New Year marks the zodiac sign of the dragon. PHOTO:AFP

Indonesians parade an 18 meter long dragon at Malang city park in East Java province on January 20, 2012 ahead of the Chinese Lunar new year festivity. The Chinese New Year marks the zodiac sign of the dragon. PHOTO:AFP

A shopper walks past decorative lights ahead of Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Kuala Lumpur on January 20, 2012. The Lunar New Year falls on January 23 and is the begining of the Spring Festival holiday. PHOTO:AFP

Children perform at a shopping mall during the celebrations ahead of Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Kuala Lumpur on January 20, 2012. The Lunar New Year falls on January 23 and is the begining of the Spring Festival holiday. PHOTO:AFP

Cantonese Opera performers act on stage at the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre in Hong Kong on January 20, 2012. Cast members celebrated the Chinese New Year by performing a well known Cantonese Opera play called Prime Minister of Six States. PHOTO:AFP

A Cantonese Opera performer acts on stage at the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre in Hong Kong on January 20, 2012. Cast members celebrated the Chinese New Year by performing a well known Cantonese Opera play called Prime Minister of Six States. PHOTO:AFP

A man takes a photo near a large lit-up dragon in Hong Kong on January 20, 2012. Decorations are appearing all over the city in preparation for Chinese New Year on January 23, 2012. PHOTO:AFP

Dragons roamed the earth once again as the Chinese lunar new year began on January 23 with millions celebrating.

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