Metro Atlanta marks the Year of the Dog

The Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival was held Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Chamblee. 2018 is the Year of the Dog. Each Chinese year is represented by an animal in the Chinese zodiac. The Dog symbol of the zodiac represents honesty, loyalty, fair play and social justice. Like events around the world, the Chamblee fest included dragons.

The 2018 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival was held this weekend in Chamblee.  Performances, a lion dance, dragon dance and ethnic food were part of the festive fun to welcome the Year of the Dog.

Synclaire Hernandez gets a dog painted on her face during the 2018 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

The Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Atlanta welcomed metro Atlantans to celebrate the Chinese new year.

Drummers perform on the stage during the 2018 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. 

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

The two-day event presented an array of traditions and artistry as metro Atlanta joined other cities around the world to mark the Year of the Dog. Each Chinese new year is represented by an animal in the Chinese zodiac.

Artist Peter Ho paints Elizabeth Bennett's portrait at one of the many booths  during the 2018 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

The next Year of the Dog will be in 2030.