Just as many University students watched the ball drop in Times Square on New Year"s Eve to celebrate the new year, other students will be celebrating the lunar new year, also known as Chinese New Year, this week by welcoming in the year 4699.

Those celebrating the Chinese New Year will not be pouring champagne, watching fireworks or counting down the seconds. Instead, they will spend time with family and friends in a solemn celebration.

"Traditionally it is a very family-orientated event and there is a lot of traveling going on this time of year in China," said Administrative Associate for the Center for Chinese Studies Pat O"Connell-Young. "You go into a big city and it will be really quiet during the day. There is no big deal like in Times Square."

When O"Connell-Young was in the province of Shanxi in China during the Chinese New Year, she got a firsthand experience with the generosity and strong family connection associated with the celebration.

"The man who spoke English at the hotel insisted that he could not stand that I would be alone on New Year"s so he took me home with him," O"Connell Young said.

Eric Haung, vice president of the Chinese Students Association, said Chinese students who are away from their families would usually find some way to get in touch with them on this holiday.

"What is tradition is that the elders send out red envelopes and they are usually filled with money and that is one way that they celebrate Chinese New Year," said Haung, a Rackham student.

"I think also they typically call their parents today and wish them a happy new year," he said.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, this is the year of the horse, meaning that people born this year will be very popular, cheerful and well-liked.

While those born under the sign of the horse are also very intelligent and wise, they are known to work as hard as they play. Famous people born in the year of the horse include Aretha Franklin and Clint Eastwood.

The Chinese New Year will continue for 15 days until the next full moon.