Feb. 16, 2018 marks the start of Chinese New Year! With this exciting day comes special traditions, events, and celebrations worldwide. How did Chinese New Year come to be, though? Additionally, what is this year’s animal, and how do people observe the day? The answers to these questions, and more, are as follows.

Chinese New Year was said to have started some couple hundred–maybe even thousand– years ago, likely during the Shang Dynasty. Its exact beginning date is relatively unclear, but its story is relatively known. According to history.com, “the holiday was traditionally a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family together for feasting.”

It should also be mentioned that 2018 will be celebrated as the Year of the Dog. This will not happen again until the year 2030, and has occurred more recently in 2006, 1994, 1982, and 1970.

The year in which a person is born, according to Chinese beliefs, is a major determining factor in who they are. “Each animal has different meanings, but we think people born in dog years are very sincere, they’re very loyal to friends,” marketing manager Mei Li told newsweek.com.

Chinese New Year, sometimes called the Spring Festival, is accompanied by a number of traditions, one of these relating to food. Certain meals have certain symbols associated with them. Noodles relate to happiness, dumplings and spring rolls are associated with wealth, Tangyuan is said to bring a sense of family togetherness, and fish represent prosperity.

People often celebrate Chinese New Year by welcoming family and by decorating their homes in the color red as a sign of good luck. Parades are often held, as well.

It’s important to keep in mind, though, that different countries and families celebrate in different ways, and that Chinese New Year is a celebratory time.