How the World Is Welcoming the Year of the Horse

Updated on 1/31/2014 at 5:45 PM

Friday marks the Chinese New Year, and people across the globe are welcoming the Year of the Horse with fireworks, parades, and religious ceremonies. Traditionally, the Year of the Horse marks a time when people are more confident and fixed in their ways, which is a great mark of progress, but it can sometimes lead to more conflict. Those born in the Year of the Horse, which includes those born in 1966, 1978, and 1990, are believed to be livelier and positive, and this year's festivities definitely brought out those same qualities. Street performers acted out a lion dance during a Hong Kong parade, people in Bali held on to incense during prayers, and in Beijing, actors took the stage for a traditional performance. Take a look at the most gorgeous photos from this year's celebrations, then learn how to make homemade fortune cookies for your own celebrations!

A woman in Tangerang, Indonesia, burned incense during her prayers.

Fireworks lit up the skyline in Beijing, China.

Actors hit the stage for a traditional performance in Surabaya, Indonesia.

People burned incense while attending prayers in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In Beijing, Chinese paramilitary police officers reenacted an ancient ceremony.

Performers in Hong Kong wore face paint for the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade.

Lanterns hung above London's China Town.

A dragon dance took place in the Chinese district of Manila in the Philippines.

A man burned papers while praying at Hong San Ko Tee Temple in Surabaya, Indonesia.

People gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Indonesia.

A woman carried incense as part of the prayer traditions.

Kids held on to a horse figurine, which symbolized the Year of the Horse, in the Philippines.

Performers participated in a Chinese New Year parade in Hong Kong.

People held up incense while praying in Bali.

A Chinese New Year parade took place in Beijing.

A lion dance was performed in Yokohama, Japan, in honor of the holiday.

Chicks were dyed with different colors and sold in the Philippines for the Chinese New Year.

A little one watched the Chinese New Year nighttime parade in Hong Kong.

People held up incense sticks during prayer ceremonies in Bali.

A man burned incense at the Satya Dharma Temple in Bali.

A man snapped a picture during the lion dance performance in Yokohama, Japan.

In Bali, a woman carried incense during prayers.

A man sold balloons on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, for the Chinese New Year celebrations.

A horse statue was on display in Beijing to honor the Year of the Horse.

Worshipers gathered at the Hong San Ko Tee Temple in Surabaya, Indonesia, for the new year celebrations.

A parade took place honoring the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.

People grabbed sweets thrown by performers during the parade in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.