Based on a lunar calendar as opposed to the western Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year can occur on any date between late January and early February.

Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the lunar month and continues for 15 days, culminating on the 15th day with a lantern festival. Each year is symbolised by a different animal - 2005 is the year of the Rooster (otherwise known as the Green Chicken).

Legend dictates that before leaving earth, Buddha requested a meeting with all the animals. Only 12 animals came to meet him. Buddha named a year after each animal who came.

Traditional preparations for Chinese New Year begin well in advance and include cleaning houses and buying new clothes. Red clothes are worn and children are given "lucky" money in red envelopes. According to the Chinese, red symbolises fire and is believed to drive away bad luck.

Generally, New Year's Day is celebrated in westernised countries on January 1st. New Year's Day was formerly observed 4000 years ago in 2000 BC in  ancient Babylon.

Their New Year celebrations would begin on March 23rd (in our calendar) and would last for 11 days. This date was selected because Spring is synonymous with new beginnings. The Romans continued to observe this date until 153 BC, when January 1st was declared New Year's Day.