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Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.

In China, it is known as "Spring Festival," the literal translation of the Chinese name 春節 (Pinyin: Chūnjié), since the spring season in Chinese calendar starts with lichun, the first solar term in a Chinese calendar year. It marks the end of the winter season, analogous to the Western Carnival.

The festival begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月;pinyin: Zhēngyuè) in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chúxī (除夕) or "Eve of the Passing Year."

Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year".
Source: Wikipedia

2012 - The year of the Water Dragon.

The Water Dragon arises in Chinatown Singapore.
by Choo Yut Shing
Website: ChooYutShing @ Flickr

The Water Dragon gloriously basking ...
by Wang Guo Wen
Website: http://www.on9cloud.com/

... in the streets of Chinatown!
by Andrew JK Tan
Website: www.Mentorgraphy.shutterfly.com

Life @ Singapore's China Town - Abuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

And the crowds converge in Chinatown ...
by Ragstatic
Website: Ragstatic @ Flickr

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2012

... both locals and tourists ...
by Charlie Kwan Photography
Website: http://www.CharlieKwan.com/

... to breath in and imbibe the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year in Chinatown Singapore.
by Charlie Kwan Photography
Website: http://www.CharlieKwan.com/

In Singapore, fire-crackers are not allowed for safety reasons, so here we have the electronic version
with the traditional "Red Packets" in the background.
by Andrew JK Tan
Website: www.Mentorgraphy.shutterfly.com

In Chinatown Singapore, you will be dazzled by all the colorful Chinese New Year decorations
that you can use to brighten up your home and create the festive mood.
by Andrew JK Tan
Website: www.Mentorgraphy.shutterfly.com

"God of Wealth" - The second day of the Chinese New Year is the God of Wealth's birthday.
Many believe that if they welcome this God into their home, they will be
blessed with good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year.
by Wang Guo Wen
Website: http://www.on9cloud.com/

Melon seeds symbolizes fertility and having many children and is
a popular snack during Chinese New Year visits,
especially among the elder generation.
by Charlie Kwan Photography
Website: http://www.CharlieKwan.com/

Mandarin Oranges are exchanged between the host and the guest during Chinese New Year visits.
They symbolise the gift of fortune to one another as the pronunciation of the fruit
name bears a close similarity to the chinese word "吉“
by Charlie Kwan Photography
Website: http://www.CharlieKwan.com/

A typical tray with tidbits for the Chinese New Year festive is display at the sitting room of the River Hongbao 2012.
Similar trays of tidbits can be found in the living rooms of the Chinese during this festive period.
by Choo Yut Shing
Website: ChooYutShing @ Flickr

A pair of golden dragons on display at the Singapore Poon Yue Association, New Bridge Road.
In Chinese culture, Dragons are viewed as symbols of power, strength and good luck.
And double dragons mean ... ;)
by Choo Yut Shing
Website: ChooYutShing @ Flickr

Regardless of whether you celebrate the Chinese New Year,
May 2012 be a blessed year for one and all!

And for those of you who are reading this post,
may you be double blessed with Good Fortune! :)