January 7th 2008 marks the start of the The Year of the Rat and as that's my sign,  I'm expecting the year to be good one!

But did you know that attributing animals to a 12 year cycle is only one way in which the Chinese name the year? 2008 is known formally as Wu Zi And according to the Chinese Calendar, which predates the International Calendar that has only been in use for a mere 425 years, this is the year 4075. The Chinese calendar measures time, from short durations of minutes and hours, to intervals of time measured in months, years and centuries. The system of measurement is based entirely based on the astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Moon and stars.

Why not celebrate Chinese New Year with a dragon story? Annalie Grainger picks some of the best dragon tales around Dragons Booklist

Amanda Craig talks to Carole Wilkinson in The Times

Dragonology Website

Festival of Chinese Performing Arts