The Year of the Rat was celebrated by a gathering of members from the island’s Chinese community.

About 30 people celebrated the Chinese New Year in style at the Majestic Chinese Restaurant in the Palace Hotel on Central Promenade, Douglas.

Organised by the Isle of Man Chinese Association, the usual customs were enjoyed alongside traditional food.

Jenny Zhou of the association said: ’The Chinese New Year is about family reunion and everybody coming together. Normally the association has something entertaining like a Chinese dragon or lion dance, but a lot of people have gone back to Hong Kong and Malaysia, with some going to mainland China, to celebrate with their families this year.’

She and other members have decorated the outside of their homes in the Isle of Man with Chinese lanterns and other items which are said to bring good luck.

The Chinese New Year differs every year according to the lunar calendar and is the longest national holiday.

Each year celebrates the Chinese Zodiac signs with each animal (the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig) reoccurring every 12 years.

The Year of the Rat symbolises an abundance of luck. ’It means the year will be very productive because the R-A-T is very energetic,’ she said.

’However, some people are concerned because the last time it was the Year of the Rat was in 2008 when there was the recession.’ She added: ’In China the fireworks are amazing and everywhere is full of colourful flowers.

’Most of the cities organise lion or unicorn dances depending on what they believe is their lucky spirit.’

Jenny set up the association in 2014 after moving from Shenzhen in south-eastern China to the island 14 years ago.

She said as the cultures are incredibly different she is still learning about English and Manx customs.