Chinese New Year: Countries Ring in the Year of the Horse

January 31, 2014 3:48 PM EST

Friday, January 31 marks the beginning of the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the celebration of Chinese New Year. For two weeks, families around the world will gather for commemorations with dances, fireworks, meals, gifts of money in red envelopes (both physical and digital) and decorations with handwritten poetry, culminating with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar year.

Each year in the Chinese calendar has a corresponding zodiac animal, and today marks the turnover from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse. Here’s a look at Chinese New Year celebrations around the world.