About 120 people celebrated the Chinese New Year yesterday at a traditional ceremony at Tsing Wah Asian Grocers on York Street.

Chinese New Year was a Christmas, family reunion, New Year's celebration and more rolled into one 15-day festive season, according to store owner Anthony Kwong.

``On the last day is Chinese Valentine's Day so you have to remember, if not you get into trouble,'' said Mr Kwong, who also runs a Chinese restaurant in Beaconsfield with his wife Cathy.

Mr Kwong explained the symbolism of the Chinese lion dance: ``The Chinese lion has to bow at the front (of the store) to give respect to the Buddha inside. Then he comes in and bows three times.

``Then he blesses all parts of the shop for good luck and prosperity and hopefully gives the store and everyone who is participating good luck.''

Gold is used to represent wealth, prosperity and peace while red is used to ward off evil and represent strength, courage and happiness.

Mr Kwong, whose family migrated to Australia in the 1950s, said Launceston's vp+2Asian population, including university students, was less than 5000.

He said he planned to expand the size of the event next year.