Amsterdam Celebrates the Year of the Dragon

Just as you thought you had finished ringing in the New Year, Amsterdam's Chinatown is poised to show you the festivities have only just begun. Starting on 23 January, the area around Nieuwmarkt will be alive with lights, music, fireworks and even dragon dancers. It is the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the better part of the city will join the Chinese community to welcome 2012: The year of the Dragon.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is the fifth of twelve animals designated to the yearly calendar. The dragon represents hard work and power and signifies success and happiness. The legend of its make-up includes the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales and feet of a phoenix. But this mythical being is only a symbol during the Chinese New Year festivities - in fact, every year is welcomed with a huge parade and more than one dancing dragon.

Revelers dressed in traditional wear will begin gathering on the Zeedijk, the hub of Amsterdam's Chinatown starting at 11.00. Bangers warning off evil spirits will kick off a bustling parade that will weave down the street and past the city's quintessential Chinese markets and restaurants.

As it is a celebration of family and friends, many of the restaurants will be teeming with groups tucking in to the delicacies only served during the holiday. Dishes like yusheng, a raw fish salad, are said to bring good luck for the coming year, while seaweed sampler fai-hai brings prosperity. Even lettuce is symbolic in Chinese culture, said to bring its diner luck.

In a year that many in Western cultures have deemed the 'end of the world,' 2012 is much anticipated by the Chinese. The Dragon is a revered as a symbol of power and wisdom. So, it is a special thing to note that according to Chinese culture, the Year of the Dragon should bring good luck to everyone!