A comprehensive guide to the Chinese zodiac in Chinese Astrology according to a Chinese astrology expert Vicki Iskandar

Across the world, hundreds of millions of people are welcoming the Year of the Snake as they celebrate the Lunar New Year with fireworks, family time and festive dances. In north and Southeast Asia, from China to Indonesia,

While Taylor Swift is a Sagittarius in Western astrology, she's an Earth Snake in Chinese astrology. Here's what her Chinese zodiac birth chart says about her, according to astrologer Lisa Stardust.

The Chinese use a lunisolar calendar that combines lunar and solar calendars to indicate both the phase of the Moon and the position of the Sun in the sky

The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of spring and the new year on something called the lunisolar calendar. That's a type of calendar historically used in China that uses the moon and the sun to determine dates.

On Jan. 29, Lunar New Year will kick off by honoring the Year of the Snake, representing new beginnings, self-improvement and growth. For those who follow the lunisolar calendar, the event is marked by celebrations including banquet feasts, craft workshops, lion dance performances, live music with authentic instruments and art displays.

On Saturday, the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs will host a Lunar New Year’s celebration at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post in Brookville. Among other cultural exhibits, visitors can view Chinese calligraphy and sugar painting.

Wednesday marks the start of Year of the Snake, with the new year based on the lunisolar calendar and celebrated in tandem with a new moon.

To welcome the year of the snake, Tet Fest celebrates with authentic food, music and dances. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in the Village de L'Est of New Orleans East, the state's largest Vietnamese community, transforms into a culinary wonderland, offering traditional fare like pandan waffles and pho.

Rochester area schools, and those around the state, are off on Jan. 29 to celebrate a holiday for the first time.

You may have thought that New Year’s was only celebrated on January 1, but you couldn’t be more wrong. In other cultures, New Year’s actually doesn’t take place until much later. It’s referred to as Lunar New Year and is one of the most important Asian holidays of each year. Related: 6 Lunar New Year Traditions for the Year of the Snake