The Year of the Rat is ending and the Year of the Ox is beginning. China is celebrating its new year and the incoming "Year of the Ox." The Year of the Ox begins on January 26, 2009. The Ox symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The AP says it also symbolizes "calm, hard work, resolve and tenacity." Time has an explanation of the Chinese Zodiac here.
Lao Xing, a housewife from the Beijing suburb of Pinggu, told Reuters, "The economic crisis makes no difference. At New Year it's important to set off lots of fireworks." The Reuters clip below shows Beijing's largest temple fair. Take a look:
