This year Monday, January 23rd will mark the Lunar New Year, commonly referred to as Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a time steeped in tradition and custom. Like superheroes, these traditions often have at least one origin story associated with them–Chinese New Year has several. One that I’m particularly fond of is the legend of the mythical creature 年 (Nian).
Legend says that with winter coming to an end and spring fast approaching, the mythical beast Nian would come from hiding to feast on people and anything else it could eat. However, Nian had a fear of three things: the color red, blazing fires, and loud noises. One winter, after discovering the beast’s three weaknesses, the people of a small village decided to prepare for the beasts arrival, placing planks of red peach wood on either side of their doors, and lighting large fires before their doors. No one dared sleep that evening, so instead they stayed awake beating pots and pans, making as much noise as they could muster.
That evening the beast fled from the village, never to return again. The next day, everyone gathered together to celebrate their success, wishing each other safety and happiness for the year to come. That day became known as Guo Nian, or the day that they survived the attack of Nian. From that day forward, every year when winter was coming to an end and spring was fast approaching they would cover their doors in red, light fires and spend the night making a racket in case Nian decided to return.
Today, people have long forgotten the legend of Nian, but the customs still remain. Guo Nian (过年: guònián）now means to pass (or observe) the New Year. The planks of red peach wood are now the 春聯 (chūnlián: spring festival couplets) that can be found pasted on doorways. The fire and loud noises are the 鞭炮 （biānpào), the string of small firecrackers that people light on New Year’s Eve. Still today, on the first day of the new year, everyone gathers together on the streets to celebrate and wish everyone a peaceful and happy year.
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| The modern version of 春聯 that are hung up outside of doors for the New Year. |
Everyone at Skritter hopes you all have a wonderful Lunar New Year. If you’ve heard other Lunar New Year legends, or want to share some of the other traditions associated with the New Year, be sure to share them in the comments below.
新年快乐！
The Skritter Team
* The above legend was translated (loosely) from the following text, with parts added from Jade Dragon.
过年的习俗，有很多不同的传说，有一种说法是：
有个怪兽叫做 “年”，冬天快结束， 要到春天的时候，常会出来吃人，找食物，但它怕三样东西，一是红色，二是火光，三是很吵的声音。所以大家在冬天的时候，在门的两边挂上红色的桃木板，门口放一堆火，夜里不睡觉，敲敲打打的弄出很吵的声音，结果把 “年” 这只怪兽吓跑，再也不敢出来，过了这一夜，大家互相庆祝，说说吉祥话，恭喜大家平安快乐。
后来，门两边挂上红色桃木板的习俗，就变成了在门的两边贴上红色的“春联”。火光和大的声音，就变成了放鞭炮。一到了新年的早上，到处都会看见红色的喜气，大家见了面都会互相恭喜，祝贺大家都平安，可以快乐过新年。
（Text adapted to simplified Chinese from tcsl.ntnu.edu.tw/writing)