The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, was celebrated at Okanagan College in Kelowna on Jan. 30.

The festivities featured a dragon and lion dance, traditional games, Zodiac animal crafts and a photo booth. Students, staff and visitors of Chinese heritage gathered at the campus in the Centre for Learning to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake. 

The festival, which marks the start of the lunar new year, spans from the first new moon of the year until the first full moon of the year.

This year, celebrations will be held from the new moon on Jan. 29, to the full moon on Feb. 12. 

According to ancient Chinese mythology, a horned creature with the head of a lion and the tail of a dragon awakens from its slumber on the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Each year the Nian 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ translating to 'year' in English 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ would terrorize villages and farms. 

One year a man dressed in red wielded red lanterns and bamboo sticks to defend his village from Nian's destruction. That night, when Nian arrived, it cowered in fear at the sight of the glowing red hue surrounding the area and the loud noises coming from crackling bamboo and the village was spared. In celebration of the triumph, villagers began wearing red, hanging red lanterns, and setting off firecrackers to ward off Nian on the last day of every year.

Over time, this tradition spread across China and beyond, giving rise to the Lunar New Year. It is a time to come together, wish others good luck and prosperity and prepare for the year ahead. 

With files from the Canadian Press.