RINGING IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR:
* The new Chinese year begins on January 28. Celebrations begin on the night of January 27 and in Sydney will continue until February 12.
* The Chinese New Year marks the first day of the lunar calendar and falls on a different date annually.
* The new lunar year is also celebrated in several Asian countries including Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.
* 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. Other rooster years include 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969 and 1957.
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* According to Angeline Oyang, the former president of the Chinese Community Association, customs vary across regions. But she says traditionally it's a good idea to give your house a thorough clean on Friday before the New Year to rid it of any bad luck.
* Custom also dictates Chinese families cook a lot of sweet food before the New Year, when the kitchen god makes an annual visit to an emperor in heaven. "You want to sweeten the mouth of the kitchen god, to make sure he speaks well of you and your family," Ms Oyang says.
* Chinese families get together on New Year's Eve for safety in numbers against a mythical monster. They also adorn their houses and themselves in red to further protect themselves and bring prosperity.
* According to tradition, people should avoid cleaning their houses or washing their hair during the first days of the New Year. Doing so would sweep away their luck, Ms Oyang says.
