SYDNEY, February 17(People’s Daily Online) -- Sydney landmarks have been lit up in auspicious red to celebrate Lunar Chinese New Year on February 16.

Below the Sydney opera house, Ms Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney officially launched the city’s 22nd Chinese New Year Festival, “the Lunar New Year was a fabulous time to get together with family and friends explore Sydney’s multicultural heritage and celebrate the Year of the Dog.” She said.

A traditional lion dances and eye dotting ceremony kicked off the heated atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

At 8:15 the Sydney Opera house and harbor bridge had been illuminated with red, while dazzling fireworks displayed light up the Sydney harbor’s skyline.

Over the past years, it has been customary for the Sydney landmarks to glow red to mark eh beginning of the Lunar New year, as red has been considered one of the luckiest colors in Chinese cultures which denotes good luck, good fortunes, happiness, and prosperity.

The celebration had drawn thousands of visitors to witness the coloring of landmark buildings, the fireworks and to enjoy the festival atmosphere with 12 zodiac animal lanterns, including the main eight-meter-tall golden dog lantern.

More than 80 associated events will offer celebrations of the Lunar New Year, from a traditional tea ceremony at the Art Gallery of NSW and congee breakfasts in Chinatown to art exhibitions and a Chinese opera demonstration. The celebration will continue until the 4th of March 2018. (Ziheng Zhan)