After days of preparation, the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off on Thursday in China and across Asia.
The date of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar, indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. That's why the Chinese New Year always falls on different dates in the Western calendar, which is Gregorian.
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Celebrations for the Year of the Horse included fireworks, firecrackers, masks, costumes, prayers and colorful light displays. But this year's celebrations were partly dampened by pollution.
Pollution is such a growing problem in China that authorities are considered banning fireworks. Others restrained from using fireworks out of concern for the environment.
Below, we've rounded up 15 pictures that show the festivities in all their glory.
Fireworks illuminate the skyline to celebrate the Chinese New Year and cause severe air pollution in Beijing, China, on Jan. 30.
A traditional Chinese lion dancer performs during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 31.
A woman holds incense sticks as she attends prayers during Chinese New Year celebrations at Dharma Bakti Temple in Jakarta, Indonesia on Jan. 31.
Worshippers burn incense and pray at the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong on Jan. 30.
A couple hold fireworks as they sit together on a bench in Lanzhou, China, on the eve of the Lunar New Year on Jan. 30, 2014.
A Chinese family plays with fireworks near a residential area during the Eve of Chinese New Year in Beijing on Jan. 30.
People watch fireworks on the Eve of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, in Beijing, on Jan. 30.
Waiting to burn incense and pray at the Wong Tai Sin Temple on Jan. 30.
Cai Sen Ye (God of Fortune) gives Ang Pao, or red envelopes with gifts of money, to worshipers at the Hong San Ko Tee Temple in Surabaya, Indonesia during Chinese New year Celebrations on Jan. 31.
Fireworks explode in a street of Shanghai, China, on the eve of the Chinese New Year on Jan. 30.
Fireworks explode on the Eve of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, in Beijing, on Jan. 30.
Fireworks explode in a street of Shanghai, China, as a man watches on the eve of Chinese New Year on Jan. 30.
A fire eater performs in celebration of Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district of Binondo, Philippines, on Jan. 31.
Firecrackers explode as dragon and lion dancers perform in celebration of Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district on Jan. 31.
A man lights up the remains of burnt firecrackers on the Eve of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, in Beijing on Jan. 30.
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