Artists performing the dragon dance in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China

Artists performing the dragon dance in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China

This bird’s-eye view of a traditional Chinese dragon dance shows how teams of performers use poles to manipulate the long figure of a dragon, weaving its body in different positions in time with music and loud drumming. Dragons are associated with good luck in China and dragon dance performances like this are common during Chinese New Year festivities, which begin on the first day of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, or February 16 this year. This will be the Year of the Dog, according to the Chinese zodiac.