The Year of the Dragon

Today at sunset, the Year of the Dragon, or year 4698 of the lunar calendar begins.

This is the Chinese New Year, which always begins with the rising of the second new moon following the winter solstice. Celebrations traditionally continue for fifteen days, and culminate with the Lantern Festival.

Pictured: Barton Lidice Benes, born 1942, Baby Dragon,1985, mixed media, overall: 68 x 87 x 20 3/8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor.