Year of Rooster kicks off in Richmond B.C. with celebrations
Red lanterns, envelopes, firecrackers all part of the Spring Festival
People across Metro Vancouver came to Richmond B.C. on Saturday to usher in the Lunar New Year.
"Everybody wants to get the good luck, especially at the beginning of the year," said Frank Zeng, a store owner at the Aberdeen Centre.
For the zodiac cycle, 2017, is the year of the rooster, specifically, a fire rooster, which according to fortune teller and feng shui consultant Sherman Tai isn't necessarily an indicator of a smooth year ahead.
"The rooster is very aggressive and very stubborn and unfortunately this year is the fire of rooster," he said.
These youth don't seem concerned that the year of the rooster could be a troubling one:
Tai says the 10th sign of the zodiac calendar does have a tendency towards cockiness.
"That will create a lot of rumours and argument and fighting between parties."
But not everyone believes the rooster is a sign of a troubling year, listen to Aberdeen Centre vendor Alison Choy:
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie says his city welcomed people to the celebrations from around Metro Vancouver and the world
"We welcome people here to our celebrations and New Years as we do all year long," he said. "People of all ethnicities, cultures and religions.
"Richmond is a place that is open and diverse and multi-cultural."
with files from Deborah Goble