Chinese New Year is still over two weeks away, but dragon fever is already hitting parts of China.

Earlier this week, divers at a Beijing aquarium started celebrations early with an underwater dragon dance, while residents in Suining, Sichuan welcomed a floating dragon-shaped lantern.

A commemorative stamp, however, has been received with mixed reviews. The dragon-themed stamp, sold all over China, displays a somewhat scary image of the zodiac character.

The stamp's designer, Chen Shaohua, stands by his design.

The dragon . . . is used to exorcise evil spirits and offer blessings, so we needed a touch image, Chen told state media.

Those born in the year of the dragon will turn 12, 24, 36, 48 (and so on) years old this year, according to the Chinese zodiac.

The Dragon is the mightiest of the signs . . . [symbolizing] such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful. They're driven, unafraid of challenges, and willing to take risks . . . unfortunately, this passion and enthusiasm can leave Dragons feeling exhausted and interestingly, unfulfilled, according to ChineseZodiac.com.

Dragons are most compatible with the Monkey or Rat, and least compatible with the Ox and Goat.

The Year of the Dragon begins on Jan. 23.

Chinese New Year
A girl looks at lantern decorations for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year at a park in Neihuang county, Henan province January 6, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS
Chinese New Year
A worker dismantles a steel frame after setting up a dragon-shaped lantern for a lantern festival to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Suining, Sichuan province January 2, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the year of dragon. Picture taken January 2, 2012. REUTERS
Chinese New Year
Divers perform a dragon dance during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at an aquarium in Beijing, January 5, 2012. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. Picture taken through a glass wall. REUTERS
Chinese New Year
Toy dragons are on sale at a market for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Dec. 31, 2011. The Chinese Lunar Dragon Year starts on Jan. 23, 2012. REUTERS
Chinese New year
A worker sprays paint onto lantern parts in the shape of human hands and heads for a lantern festival to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, at a workshop in Suining, Sichuan province, January 1, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the year of dragon. Picture taken January 1, 2012 . REUTERS
Chinese New Year
Workers install a dragon-shaped lantern as a New Year decoration on a wall near the Confucian temple in Nanjing December 31, 2011. The Chinese Lunar Dragon Year starts on January 23, 2012. REUTERS
Chinese New Year
Workers set up a dragon-shaped lantern for a lantern festival to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Suining, Sichuan province, January 2, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, begins on January 23 and marks the start of the year of dragon. Picture taken January 2, 2012. REUTERS
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