by Claire O'Neill

The Year of the Ox begins today. In the cyclical Chinese zodiac, the ox symbolizes success through fortitude and hard work — perhaps a source of some comfort in difficult economic times. Thus resolute and optimistic, we travel from Beijing to Johannesburg to join those ringing in the lunar new year.

  • A boy prepares to perform at a Bejing temple fair ringing in the lunar new year. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2009 is the Year of the Ox. The animal symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work.
    Hide caption
    A boy prepares to perform at a Bejing temple fair ringing in the lunar new year. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2009 is the Year of the Ox. The animal symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work.
    Elizabeth Dalziel/AP
  • Performers in Qing Dynasty costumes reenact worship and sacrificial ceremonies Beijing's Temple of Heaven. Similar festivities are taking place all over China today.
    Hide caption
    Performers in Qing Dynasty costumes reenact worship and sacrificial ceremonies Beijing's Temple of Heaven. Similar festivities are taking place all over China today.
    Liu Jin/AFP/Getty Images
  • Actors prepare to perform at the Dongyue Temple Fair in Beijing.
    Hide caption
    Actors prepare to perform at the Dongyue Temple Fair in Beijing.
    China Photos/Getty Images
  • Performers pose for pictures at Beijing's Ditan Temple Fair.
    Hide caption
    Performers pose for pictures at Beijing's Ditan Temple Fair.
    China Photos/Getty Images
  • Dressed as imperial guards, Chinese performers celebrate the lunar new year's eve in Beijing.
    Hide caption
    Dressed as imperial guards, Chinese performers celebrate the lunar new year's eve in Beijing.
    Elizabeth Dalziel/AP
  • Customers buy lucky charms in Manila's Chinatown.
    Hide caption
    Customers buy lucky charms in Manila's Chinatown.
    Jes Aznar/AFP/Getty Images
  • As the Chinese community in Johannesburg, South Africa, demonstrates, dragons come out for the new year.
    Hide caption
    As the Chinese community in Johannesburg, South Africa, demonstrates, dragons come out for the new year.
    Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images
  • Lanterns decorate London's Chinatown.
    Hide caption
    Lanterns decorate London's Chinatown.
    Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
  • Dancers perform in London's Chinatown.
    Hide caption
    Dancers perform in London's Chinatown.
    Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
  • Midnight fireworks in Beijing mark the new year's start.
    Hide caption
    Midnight fireworks in Beijing mark the new year's start.
    Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

1 of 10

View slideshow i

For full screen, click on the four-cornered arrow icon in the viewer's bottom right.