Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A man looks at his phone as fireworks explode on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China January 27, 2017. Reuters

It's time for Chinese New Year 2017 and people across the globe from the Chinese community welcomed the Year of Rooster on Saturday and bid good-bye to the Year of Monkey with traditional dragon dance, lion dance and countless firecrackers. The celebrations for the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, will last until February 15.

Over the next two weeks, millions are expected to attend the festival across the world. In this festival, the colour red is considered to be very essential in this celebration as it is said to scare off the mythical monster Nian.

People clean their houses and decorate them with beautiful lights and lanterns. They also visit their friends and relatives to enjoy the new year together. Children are traditionally given red envelopes with money inside which they sleep with under their pillows. It is said to bring good fortune and happiness in their lives.

Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A woman prays in a temple during the Lunar New Year's eve celebrations, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
Buddhist monks pray inside a temple during the Lunar New Year eve celebration in Chinatown Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
People burn incense sticks at a temple as they celebrate the Lunar New Year in China Town, in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A man is seen selling goods in a decorations market during Lunar New Year eve in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
People walk on a street decorated with Chinese lamps to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
People light up incense sticks in a temple during the Lunar New Year's eve celebrations, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A boy sits on his father's shoulders as they visit the Chinese Lunar New Year's festival in Chinatown, in Yangon, Myanmar. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
Girls pray in a temple during the Chinese Lunar New Year's festival in Chinatown, in Yangon, Myanmar. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
Dancers perform a lion dance in front of a temple as they celebrate the Lunar New Year in China Town, in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
Children play with fire crackers on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China January 27, 2017. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A dancer is seen inside of a Chinese lion's head during the Lunar New Year's eve celebration in Chinatown, in Bangkok, Thailand January 27, 2017. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
A child holds incense sticks at Dharma Sakti temple as she prays during the Chinese Lunar New Year, in Jakarta, Indonesia January 28, 2017. Reuters
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrations across the globe [PHOTOS]
People watch firework explode from a rooftop on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, in Mengcheng, Anhui province, China January 27, 2017 Reuters