Beijing — An actor dressed in a traditional imperial costume takes part in the reenactment of the imperial sacrifice ritual at the Temple of Earth. China is on a weeklong holiday marking the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, which is the Year of the Dragon, according to the traditional lunar calendar.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DIEGO AZUBEL / EPA

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Beijing — A guard stands under a tree adorned with red lanterns to welcome the Year of the Dragon during a temple fair at a park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DIEGO AZUBEL / EPA

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Hong Kong — People line up to pray at the Che Kung Temple. Tens of thousands of people arrived at the temple on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New year to pay respect to the deity Che Kung, who was a general from the Song Dynasty.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AARON TAM / AFP / Getty Images

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Hong Kong — A man lights sticks of incense at the Che Kung Temple. Tens of thousands of people arrived at the temple on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New year to pay respect to the deity Che Kung, who was a general from the Song Dynasty.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AARON TAM / AFP / Getty Images

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Shanghai — Tourists ride a boat on a canal at Qibao, an ancient water township on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Eugene Hoshiko / Associated Press

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Shanghai — Visitors crowd a shopping street on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Eugene Hoshiko / Associated Press

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Beijing — A performer portraying the emperor is followed by an imperial entourage dressed in brilliant clothing during a recreation of the Sacrifice to Heaven ritual on the second day of the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, at the Temple of Heaven.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DIEGO AZUBEL / European Pressphoto Agency

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Beijing — A slow-shutter image of Chinese performers portraying an imperial entourage during a recreation of the Sacrifice to Heaven ritual. The elaborate ritual was performed 682 times by 23 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1368 to 1911.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DIEGO AZUBEL / European Pressphoto Agency

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Manila — Filipinos perform a dragon dance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year on the trading floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: NOEL CELIS / AFP / Getty Images

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Beijing — People enjoy their holiday riding ice bumper cars during the second day of the Lunar New Year celebration.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images

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Katmandu, Nepal — Buddhist monks participate in a ceremony including a representation of a dragon as Katmandu's Tamang community celebrates the Lunar New Year.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Niranjan Shrestah / Associated Press

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Hacienda Heights — Wen Reese of La Cañada Flintridge places a candle celebrating the Chinese lunar new year at Hsi Lai Temple on Monday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Hacienda Heights — A dance troupe celebrates the Chinese lunar new year at Hsi Lai Temple, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the U.S.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Hacienda Heights — Alvan Ung of Rowland Heights prays at the temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Hacienda Heights — Buddist nun Miao Zang at Hsi Lai Temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Hacienda Heights — With the help of his mother, Felix Li, 3, of Gardena places a candle on an altar at the temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Hacienda Heights — A volunteer cleans out the incense burned by visitors at the temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

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Shanghai — Thousands of people visit a lantern festival to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: PETER PARKS / AFP / Getty Images

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Beijing — A Chinese woman lights joss sticks to pray for prosperity and well-being on the first day of the Year of the Dragon.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images

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Kolkata, India — Members of the Chinese community perform a lion dance during Chinese New Year celebrations.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: PIYAL ADHIKARY / European Pressphoto Agency

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A woman prays at a temple during the lunar new year celebrations.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SHAMSHAHRIN SHAMSUDIN / EPA

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Manila — A fire breather performs in Chinatown. Chinese welcomed the Year of the Dragon, the fifth of the 12 Chinese animal zodiac signs, which operate in a 12-year cycle.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DENNIS M. SABANGAN / EPA

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Manila — A Chinese Filipino lights candles while praying in a temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: BULLIT MARQUEZ / Associated Press

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Manila — Chinese Filipinos pray in a Chinese temple.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: BULLIT MARQUEZ / Associated Press

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Manila — A performer breathes fire during a dragon dance in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: BULLIT MARQUEZ / Associated Press

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Beijing — People light joss sticks at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Year of the Dragon.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images

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Bangkok, Thailand — A Thai performer in a Chinese opera troupe puts on makeup before a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: RUNGROJ YONGRIT / EPA

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Hong Kong — Worshippers toss their incense sticks into an incense burner at the Tin Hau temple in Hong Kong.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: JEROME FAVRE / EPA

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Hong Kong — Handlers guide a dragon balloon at a parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AARON TAM / AFP / Getty Images

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Hong Kong — A child performer adjusts her dragon costume during a parade.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AARON TAM / AFP / Getty Images

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Kolkata, India — A lion dance is performed during Chinese New Year celebrations.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: PIYAL ADHIKARY / EPA

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A boy watches a group performing a lion dance.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SHAMSHAHRIN SHAMSUDIN / EPA

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